Community Support Worker

COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER - TRAVERSE CITY

This position is office based and will require travel. It is not county specific. NLCMHA geographically covers the following six counties: Crawford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Missaukee, Roscommon, and Wexford and CSW staff are expected to travel to all covered counties if/when necessary.

The Community Support Worker will assist people with disabilities through providing individualized programming, instruction and assistance and the development of skills in all areas of daily living. These training experiences include but are not limited to personal care, household maintenance, cooking, laundry, budgeting, use of leisure time, transportation and utilization of community resources. Other responsibilities include assisting with gaining access to participation in social recreation, volunteer and other community-based activities of their choice while gaining and/or maintaining health and safety awareness. They will provide the opportunity for individuals served to participate in new activities and visit new places while teaching skills and fostering independence in the community.

The Community Support Worker must have good judgement, be a positive role model and be able to communicate respectfully and effectively with the people served and their support team. The worker will help support and guide individuals as they make relevant choices and will support and encourage their movement toward a more independent, integrated lifestyle. The worker will continually evaluate and help individuals develop natural supports and positive community relationships. The worker will transport individuals, support them in community activities, at medical appointments, shopping and in social, recreational and leisure activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrate support needed to promote integration into the community for the individual that adheres to “person-centered planning” and principles of self-determination.
• Locate, obtain, coordinate and collaborate with resources/services outside and inside the NLCMHA system as indicated by the Individual Treatment Plan.
• Assist or provide arrangements to access resources and events, including provision of transportation.
• Work effectively with other service providers, families, guardians and case managers concerning assessments, services implementation and consumer participation.
• Plan and implement an individualized activity calendar for each consumer based on consumer desires, interests, and IPOS goals with consumer involvement and input from family and support team.
• Ability to prepare progress notes, reports and required documentation and submit in on a timely basis.
• When caring for a person, physical exertion will be expected to help a person meet their personal care needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school degree or GED (required)
• One (1) year of employment experience in Mental Health Services
• Degree in Human Services (preferred)

PAY: $19.77/ hr - $21.77/hr

BENEFITS:

• Medical Insurance (4 options)
• Dental Insurance (2 options)
• Vision Insurance (2 options)
• Health Savings Account
• Healthcare and dependent care flex spending account
• MERS Retirement Plan (with Employer matching up to 5%)
• Paid Time Off (18 days in 1st year)
• Holidays (13 days)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

WORKING CONDITIONS/ PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position requires irregular hours, weekends and holidays as it is part of an on-call rotation.
• This position may require travel by personal vehicle if an agency vehicle is not available.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Occasionally: lifting up to 25lbs with or without assistance, stretching/reaching, exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious disease, exposure to hazardous material, stooping (bend at waist)
• Frequently: hand/finger dexterity, talking in person, talking on the telephone, hearing in person, hearing on the telephone, vision for close work

NLCMHA EEO Statement

Northern Lakes CMH Authority is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of each individual and is free from all forms of employment discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Northern Lakes CMH Authority will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities or based on sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable laws. Hiring decisions are based exclusively on merit, qualifications and business needs.