Community Specialist
Intensive Case Management
Senior Division
Agency Overview
Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services that transform lives. Our organization offers 50+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our programs combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where we encourage the use of professional development, that staff can utilize throughout their career.
Division Description
Felton’s Senior Division specializes in a full continuum of mental health services for older adults in outpatient clinics, the community, and supportive housing sites, as well as programs in employment training, economic security, case management, advocacy, and social connection and inclusion. The Intensive Case Management program is part of Felton Institute’s Mental Health Model for Older Adults, specializing in client centered, recovery-oriented treatment for individuals living with severe psychiatric disorders. Services encompass a continuum of care addressing client's goals and needs, which may include medical, and substance abuse co-morbidities, a history of homelessness, significant social isolation, and case management needs. Under a contract with the Department of Public Health's Behavioral Health Services (BHS), the multidisciplinary team includes a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, clinical case manager, and peer/community specialist. Services are city-wide and include extensive outreach, therapy, and case management to reduce risk of an individual's psychiatric hospitalization and to support the individual living successfully in their community. The program collaborates with the broad spectrum of social service providers to connect, coordinate, and meet the individual's needs. Felton is committed to implementing evidence-based practices and behavioral health research within its community-based mental health services.
Job Description
Under the supervision of the Program Director , this position participates in a multidisciplinary team serving older adults living in the community with severe mental illness. Bringing lived experience, the Community Specialist works directly with the interdisciplinary clinical team to provide outreach and engagement, rapport building, and case management services including linkage to medical care and other services. This person will also provide support individuals to learn independent living skills, communication skills, social skills and other necessary skills to support independence, maintain housing stability and support mental health recovery. The Community Specialist will document all client encounters in a timely manner using appropriate documentation procedures for MediCal billing. The Community Specialist also will support client access to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other independent living tasks as the needs are identified. This person will also bring expertise regarding community resources, recreational opportunities, and other connections to services, formal and informal, participants, and will work with the staff to develop the center in innovative ways to reduce social isolation and increase mental health.
Specific Responsibilities
- Provides trauma informed, culturally responsive services that include mental health services including modalities ranging harm reduction, contingency management, motivational interviewing, brief solution focused therapy, crisis intervention
- Elicits and maintains strong working relationships with clients and the care team which may include other professionals, peers, medical providers, and client identified support persons such as chosen family, friends, or others
- Facilitates and tracks linkages, care coordination, and case management among medical and community- based supports
- Outreaches to shelters, streets, hospitals, and community settings to meet clients where they are at and able to locate clients by use of electronic health record systems and planning with client
- Ensures timely and accurate documentation of all services provided and maintains applicable chart requirements
- Provides inter-agency collaboration to facilitate problem solving and clinical care
- On-call consult during working hours to triage clinical emergencies and coordination for coverage to the team
- Serve as a back-up for the team as needed
- Attend and participate in all assigned trainings for professional, program, and agency development.
- Additional duties as needed.
Minimum Required Qualifications
- Passionate about working with older adults who may be isolated, have mental health issues, have cognitive impairments, substance abuse issues, or other needs that are not being met
- Demonstrated outreach, rapport building, and engagement experience
- Familiar with and/or ability to provide targeted case management services and mental health focused skills building services
- Ability to travel frequently in SF and work in office, community, home, and hospital settings
- Lived experience with mental health services/peer certified/trained preferred/older adult preferred
- Previous work experience in social services or related field; working knowledge of social service resources in San Francisco for older adults preferred
- Previous experience leading activities and groups preferred
- Driver’s license preferred.
- Demonstrated computer skills in word processing (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel) and ability to learn electronic charting.
- Strong skills in working independently and also as a team member
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to follow instructions and work under the direction of others
- Time management skills and ability to prioritize projects and follow through
- Problem solving skills: able to discern when to consult, when to make independent decisions, and able to offer suggestions for solutions.
- Openness to learn, consult, and receive constructive feedback
- Ability to be a team player with a welcoming attitude
- Available to work business hours, Monday through Friday, predominantly in field/office settings.
Additional Information:
Reports to: Program Director
Job Type: Full-time
Work Schedule: Onsite
FLSA Status: Non- Exempt
Salary Range: $30 - $38 per hour (DOE)
Benefits (subject to election and eligibility): Fully-Paid Medical and Dental Plans; Health Reimbursement Card, Paid Time Off (personal, vacation, and sick time), 403B with company match.
Applying Instruction:
Candidates should apply for the position at our career page “careers.felton.org” OR directly email resumes to “jobs@felton.org”.
IMP NOTE: Job responsibilities are subject to change according to program requirements.