Lead Community Support Specialist CSS

Job Title: Lead Community Support Specialist
Location: Kirksville, MO
Department: Preferred Family Healthcare
Employment Type: Full Time
Shift: Monday - Friday

Job Summary:

Are you a passionate and dedicated professional looking to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders? Join our team at Preferred Family Healthcare as a Lead Community Support Specialist!

As a Lead Community Support Specialist, you'll participate in clinical staffing, develop treatment plans, assist in crisis management, and support the CSS team. Our ideal candidate is passionate about community mental health, has relevant supervisory experience, and possesses strong communication and collaboration skills.

Kirksville, MO offers a variety of events and activities to choose from. Whether it's visiting the state park, stopping by the farmers market, being engaged in the college and universities, or enjoying community events and businesses. Kirksville is a community driven hub with a high quality of life. Join us and be part of our mission to promote mental health awareness and improve access to resources!

Position Perks & Benefits:

• Employee benefits package - health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more*
• Competitive 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan - up to 5% match for Part-Time and Full-Time employees
• Company-paid basic life insurance
• 29 Days of PTO for Full-Time employees
• Emergency Medical Leave Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts - healthcare and dependent child-care
• Health & Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Discount Program
• Mileage Reimbursement

• Participate in clinical staffing and treatment team meetings, assisting the CSS Supervisor in providing feedback and direction to the treatment team.
• Be responsible for developing treatment plans in an evolving, individualized, and creative manner, meeting all DMH/CARF regulations, and assisting the CSS team in doing so.
• Assist in screening/assessment coordination and complete all correspondence and requests for information in a thorough and timely manner.
• Assist the CSS and/or Clinical Supervisor in completion of file reviews, ensuring treatment plans are derived from assessments, DAP is utilized, progress notes refer to treatment plans, and transition planning is initiated directly after admission.
• Represent the agency in community-based programs and develop an ongoing community referral base for client advocacy.
• Assist in weekly supervisory meetings regarding individualized training plans of CSSs and document such meetings in supervisory records.
• Assist in handling crisis situations and follow up with possible investigation/incident reports.
• Assist CSSs and other treatment staff to increase group facilitation skills through training and feedback from observation.
• Assist the management team in ensuring all DMH/CARF and agency regulations are adhered to.
• Assist in the interviewing, hiring, and training of new community support staff.
• Complete all job duties of a Community Support Specialist.
• Assume CSS Supervisory role in the absence of the CSS and/or Clinical Supervisor.
• Demonstrate interest in the long-term and short-term goals and objectives of the company.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President or designee, and the Chief Executive Officer.

• A person with a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field and at least one (1) year of full-time equivalent experience in providing community support services; OR
• A person with a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field and at least two (2) years of full-time equivalent experience in providing community support services; AND
• Demonstrated competencies in the areas of supervision and substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation by virtue of experience and/or training.

• Thorough knowledge of case management and rehabilitation methods, principles, and techniques as they relate to mental health and/or substance abuse treatment services.
• Extensive knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations of the program to which the associate is assigned.
• Detailed knowledge of the problems encountered by persons with mental illness and/or substance use disorders residing in the community and how to access various community resources available.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods and modalities as well as the legal requirements and court procedures related to treating mental illnesses and substance abuse.
• Some knowledge of supervisory and training techniques and practices used in a mental health setting.
• Aptitude to develop, coordinate, and evaluate services within assigned program responsibilities.
• Capability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing to produce clear and concise reports.

• Communicate the strategic direction of the organization and encourage participation by all associates.
• Provide leadership and guidance to all aspects of Community Support work.
• Take an active role in monitoring the identification, development, and execution of strategic objectives.
• Involve, as appropriate, all associates in order to achieve goals.
• Effectively communicate any changes within the department and/or company to ensure implementation and practice.
• Handle difficult personnel situations directly, using appropriate discretion and Human Resource advice to show respect for the individual.
• Champion change and effectively manage the implementation of new ideas.
• Reinforce team approach throughout functions; support and solicit input from team members at all levels within the company.