POSITION TITLE: Emotional Support Specialist

REPORTS TO: Crisis Coordinator

FLSA STATUS: as needed (includes some nights and weekends)

SALARY: $20/hr

POSITION SUMMARY: Participates on the Crisis Team by assisting and supporting clients in crisis. This is accomplished by working to impart a sense of hope and empowerment. This may involve: Listening, sharing parts of personal recovery story and first hand experiences and providing mutual support, reassurance and advocacy. This position will likely expose you to emotionally intense situations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provides support to clients regarding, but not limited to, understanding their symptoms of mental illness and effects of trauma history (trauma informed care), developing positive coping skills and resource connection.

• Deliverable: Employee will be observed providing the above.

• Promotes recovery through modeling and displaying self-confidence and self-determination. Assist in development of natural supports including connections with friends and family and other supports in the community.

• Deliverable: Employee will be observed providing the above.

• Assists in helping the individual work on their individual wellness plan for physical and emotional wellness. These services might include physical exercise, recognition of medical/healthcare needs, listening, demonstrating empathy and concern.

• Deliverable: Client report of feeling cared for and supported.

• Provide temporary assistance with ADLs which may include grocery shopping, housekeeping, or going with someone to a medical doctor to support them in this process, etc.

• Deliverable: Determine with clinician or case manager how long these services might be provided during a time of crisis or in follow-up to crisis, working towards helping individual identify natural supports that may assist them.

• Assist individuals with recommended follow-up services by coordinating with the crisis care team to identify needs, organize ride services, connecting them to child care services or other services that supports them in following through with recommended services and appointments with agency and other community service providers.

• Deliverable: Assist client, under close supervision of crisis counselor, with accessing appropriate resources.

• Maintains compliance with all applicable practice standards and guidelines and maintains confidentiality and adherence to HIPAA requirements at all times.

• Deliverable: Employee will ensure that releases are signed by individuals being worked with prior to sharing information.

• Completes all required documentation in a timely manner consistent with agency policies.

• Deliverable: Hourly log entries will be made while with client. Time sheet will be turned in by the 20th of each month.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The Psychological Support Specialist is an individual with the capacity and desire to provide emotional support to people experiencing mental health crisis. Support is individualized to the client, and so flexibility and responsiveness are key qualities for psychological support people. The Psychological Support Specialist should expect to be exposed to intense emotions and be equipped with adequate self-care tools.

• Individual should expect to be contacted on an as needed basis - to include being called at night or on the weekend to provide support to individuals in crisis.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Excellent communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Completed all New-Hire training modules

• Willingness to attend trainings:

• Mental Health First Aid

• Pro Act

• Universal Precautions

• Trauma Informed Care

• Other desirable personal characteristics would include tolerance, tact, the ability to control emotions in stressful situations, demonstrated functional maturity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is often performed in settings outside of the normal office environment to include other community offices, client’s homes, and the hospital. This position may be exposed to the everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as an office (i.e., moving mechanical parts, airborne particles, and electrical shock). This position may also be exposed to individuals and situations that are potentially dangerous. Employee will receive training on how to defuse situations and will receive information about agency policy around safety precautions and appropriate response to crisis situations.

CONFIDENTIALITY:This position requires the handling of highly confidential information. Must adhere to rules and laws pertaining to client confidentiality.

LEADERSHIP & TEAMWORK: Must be able to work effectively and constructively with other office staff, clinicians, the administrative team and all other staff.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential function.

Wallowa County Center for Wellness is an equal opportunity employer.

Position open until filled. Opening Date: 01/02/2023

To apply, submit an application online. Be sure to include a resume and cover letter.

Questions? Reach out to our HR Specialist Josey Ross at 541-512-7785 or email Josey.Ross@wvcenterforwellness.org

This position does not qualify for benefits.