Clinical Support Specialist

This position offers case management and mental health services to residents as well as coordinating care with other providers as appropriate. DESC Permanent Supportive Housing provides apartment homes for formerly homeless men and women living with severe disabilities. We are firmly committed to the belief that the solution to homelessness is simple: housing. We offer housing to people before anything else, without insisting on abstinence or treatment compliance. This means we are able to end homelessness for the most vulnerable men and women in our community, not just those most able to navigate the system. Our approach has been recognized as a model for other communities and garnered significant academic study and praise.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide service coordination for residents both in office and at client residences.
• Facilitate engagement of residents through creative, resourceful strategies that build trust and confidence; publicize service availability.
• Assist Housing Specialists in locating suitable apartment units and completing lease paperwork for new residents.
• Assist Housing Specialists in working with clients to identify and address potential barriers to successful housing acquisition and maintenance.
• Develop a Residential Service Plan (RSP) or Goal and Service Plan (GASP) in collaboration with residents, case managers, and other staff, outlining goals and strategies to ensure housing success.
• Record Housing Service Notes for each resident regularly.
• Maintain contact with case managers to resolve crises and monitor progress as defined in the RSP or GASP and ensure adequate provision of identified services.
• Chart significant events involving residents in a daily long; read log daily.
• Intervene in crises and assist with building rule enforcement and lease compliance as necessary.
• Provide education and support for residents to ensure success as leaseholders.
• Assist residents in the formation of interest groups or therapeutic support groups; facilitate when appropriate.
• Organize outings and activities to improve resident skills in activities of daily living and to increase the level of meaningful activity in their lives.
• Work with residents and other staff to identify needs for additional services, groups and activities. Work with staff, outside service providers and community resources to initiate and facilitate these services and activities.
• Provide individual counseling and information and referral services to residents as needed.
• Facilitate community meetings.
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant Bachelor's degree in a social or behavioral science required; MSW or other relevant master's degree preferred.
• Ability to meet state requirements for registration as a counselor.
• Clinical experience working with homeless adults disabled by chronic alcoholism, mental illness and drug use.
• Knowledge of local homeless, mental health, and chemical dependency service systems.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.
• Commitment to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across agency programs and of consideration and respect for clients.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years experience working with homeless adults disabled by chronic alcoholism, mental illness and/or drug use.
• Valid Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required sit for long periods of time, communicate with other persons by talking and hearing, required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.