DMH Vocational Support Specialist

DMH Vocational Support Specialist (VSS)

Location:

Springfield, Missouri

Employment Type:

Full-time

Job Summary:

The DMH Vocational Support Specialist (VSS) is responsible for providing on/off site training and support for clients during skill development, career planning, and employment retention. A VSS will conduct instructional activities related to soft, work, and independent living skills. A VSS may be responsible for locating competitive job sites in the community, contacting employers, and conducting job site analyses. A VSS completes necessary reports and paperwork, as assigned.

Key Responsibilities:

• Treat all clients, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect
• Adhere to all confidentiality, CARF, and contractual standards during provision of services
• Maintain flexibility in work availability including evenings, weekends and overnight shifts
• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of disabilities and potential assistive technology/accommodations that can support individuals with disabilities to meet personal and employment goals
• Compile and review vocational, medical, psychological and educational information, and utilize this information to assist clients with skill development, career planning and employment retention
• Contribute to and/or develop individualized service plans with clients
• Conduct activities identified within clients' individualized service plans
• Coordinate paid, work-based learning experiences with participants to include orientation, new hire paperwork and timesheets, in individual and group settings
• Transport clients to carry out goals and objectives identified in their individualized service plan
• Monitor and report on progress toward individualized service plan goals
• Ensure authorizations for services are current and services provided fall within date ranges of authorizations
• Track and report units of service relative to clients' authorizations to ensure utilization does not exceed authorized services (daily, monthly or overall)
• Complete daily, weekly, monthly and activity based reporting as required for function being performed
• Instruct and facilitate clients' pre-vocational/vocational, social and independent living skill development
• Develop strategies, lessons and/or curriculum necessary to facilitate skill development based on clients' individualized service plans
• Establish community-based sites for carrying out skill development and career planning activities
• Assist clients to determine what they learned about themselves regarding strengths, needs, abilities and preferences as it relates to their personal and employment goals
• Provide onsite job supports to assist clients with learning and performing their job duties, interacting with co-workers, and developing natural supports
• Implement a variety of job support techniques to accommodate learning styles and unique needs of clients being supported, including physically assisting with completion of job duties when necessary
• Serve as a liaison between employers, clients and co-workers by assisting clients to acclimate to the requirements, culture and social/behavioral expectations of their work environment
• Educate employers regarding benefits of hiring persons with disabilities and facilitate job accommodations (e.g., assistive technology adaptations, job carving, etc.)
• Provide off site job supports such as coordinating additional services, benefits and financial planning/reporting, transportation/bus training and other essential supports as identified in the individualized service plan
• Facilitate long-term employment success by implementing on site/off site job supports adhering to the support type, frequency, location and method of contact with clients identified in the Extended Services Plan
• Respond to crisis situations that may occur with clients at their worksite
• Maintain frequent contact with referral sources for the purpose of discussing shared clients and identifying potential referrals
• Teach and reinforce job seeking and job retention skills with clients
• Create employer relationships and provide customer service to all employers designed to develop competitive, integrated employment opportunities
• Serve as an advocate for clients with employers, referral sources and other stakeholders (family, schools, other social service agencies, etc.)
• Promote the organization, services and clients in a professional manner with employers and through participation in community events and awareness activities, this may include making presentations or public speaking

Education and/or Experience

Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent certificate is required; an associate's or bachelor's degree in an applicable field from an accredited institution is preferred.
• Experience in rehabilitation, employment services, case management, social services or other applicable experience is preferred.

Additional Qualifications:

• Possess strong customer service skills
• Have skilled computer knowledge (Word, Excel, internet platforms, other electronic…