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Behavioral Health Specialist I

Under the general supervision of the Program Director, the Behavioral Health Specialist I functions as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team. As part of the team with shared caseloads, the Behavioral Health Specialist I assists individuals who have serious and persistent mental illness in their personal recovery by engaging with them in their setting and developing a healthy working relationship. 

Job Details:

 NOTE: All applicants must comply with ICL's vaccination policy.  Individuals selected for employment cannot begin working until they  provide verification that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (with an FDA-authorized vaccine).

ESSENTIAL TASKS: 

  • Provide counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, case management and support services in the community (homes, shelters, street), as part of a mobile multi-disciplinary team, to mentally ill individuals who have a history of decompensation and relapse as a result of poor follow through with outpatient treatment.

  • Provide clinical supervision to the Behavioral Health Specialist II and Behavioral Health Specialist III.

  • Assume primary clinical management responsibility for 10-12 adults with serious and persistent mental illness, who may also have a co-occurring substance abuse or other disorder, within the context of a 27 - person-caseload IMT Team.

  • Assist individuals in attaining or maintaining housing, employment, functional social relationships, and relief from psychiatric symptoms and side effects through medication management support.

  • Assertive engagement and provision of mental health services in the community where the service population lives. Approximately 80% of the workweek takes place in the community, such as streets, shelters, and residential settings.

  • Continuous responsibility (24-hour) for people enrolled in the ACT Team caseload through the use of a rotating emergency phone line.

  • Provide all services in a culturally relevant and competent manner.

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records, including but not limited to progress notes, service plan and service plan reviews, assessments and contact logs within all-applicable regulations and guidelines.

  • Provide support and psychoeducation to family members, friends and other collateral individuals.

  • Provide referrals and engagement support for services not directly provided by IMT Team, e.g., medical services, participation in psychosocial clubhouses and self-help groups, vocational training and placement, etc.

  • Provide accurate and timely reports, within federal, state, and city regulatory and agency confidentiality guidelines, to other providers and agencies, e.g. housing, vocational, criminal justice, child welfare, etc.

  • Participates in individual and group supervision, treatment team meetings, case conferences, in-service training and other staff development activities as assigned.

  • Observes all applicable rules, procedures or laws regarding the reporting of incidents, including the reporting of alleged child abuse and neglect.

  • Perform other related duties as required and assigned by the Program Director. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education: 

Licensed as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the NYS Education Department.

 Experience: 

A minimum of two years clinical experience working with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use, homelessness and criminal justice involvement. Supervisory experience preferred.

Additional Questions or Concerns:

Please reach out to the current Program Director, Tania Vargas, LCSW at tania.vargas@iclinc.net

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