Program Specialist I

Provides supervision, training, and directed mental health treatments to mentally ill adults in a partial hospitalization program or supervisor group home setting. Additional duties include record keeping .

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Consistently exercises discretion and judgment to analyze, interpret, make deductions and then decide what actions are necessary based on the varying facts and circumstances of each individual case.
• Works with supervisor assistance, evaluating possible courses of conduct and making decisions where there is no opportunity to seek supervisory assistance.
• Provides supervision, skill training, and mental health intervention activities to program participants in accordance with the treatment plans and other instructions; maintains a detailed knowledge of participants’ Individual Treatment Plans, and deliver specified interventions
• Plans, organizes, prepares, and implements various outings, activities, events, and focus groups for participants
• Maintains client and program records in accordance with applicable standards and regulations; prepares daily and weekly reports according to acceptable time-lines, standards of length, accuracy, thoroughness, and language usage
• Interacts with clients in a therapeutic and responsible manner: e.g. individualized, positive, age-appropriate, reciprocal, constructive, non-authoritarian, and non-confrontive; engages in constructive conversation and positive social interaction when the program is in operation
• Serves as a liaison between the program, treatment team, residential program, and external organizations; maintains communication and attend team meetings as needed
• Maintains respectful, professional relationships with staff, consumers, family members, visitors, and other service providers
• Maintains a high level of ethical conduct regarding confidentiality, relationships, and associations with others
• Conducts all events, activities, and outings in a safe, yet therapeutic manner, and employs effective measures regarding risk management, emergency procedures, and non-violent crisis intervention
• Participates in continuing education activities to maintain knowledge and skills in areas related to the focus of the program
• Attends and participates fully in meetings as assigned to exchange pertinent information
• Assists with inventory and general maintenance of supplies, facilities, and equipment.
• Assists in maintaining a clean and aesthetically pleasing facility
• Completes indirect tasks as assigned such as assisting with quality assurance activities, record keeping, report writing, logging and completing forms
• Handles crisis and emergency situations involving participants by following correct procedures
• Transports participants safely and effectively either by driving Center-owned vehicles or by using own vehicle
• Completes all Hoosier Assurance Plan (HAP) training as required and passes all vignettes.
• Completes all Hoosier Assurance Plan (HAP) assessments and paperwork as required.
• Performs any other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Preferred majors include Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Family/Consumer Sciences, Child Development, Substance Abuse, Education, Criminology, Counseling, and Therapy Fields
• Only the above majors qualify for Program Specialist II status.*
• Must have adequate knowledge and skills in the provision of community-based behavioral health care and/or case management
• Knowledge and skills in supervising, educating, and treating adults with mental illness
• Good observation and decision making skills
• Experience in implementing group activities and outings is helpful
• Agreement to use personal transportation in work capacity
• Program Specialist I without qualifying major will notbe eligible for Program Specialist II. Noexceptions.

• Maintain a valid Chauffeur’s License in good standing
• Maintain current Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) certification
• Maintain current American Red Cross CPR/1st Aid certification

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 the job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person or by telephone. The employee must be able to travel to client locations. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach, bend, participate in group activities/yard games; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee may be required to drive for extended periods of time in all types of weather and must assist safely loading and unloading clients from vans. The employee occasionally must sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

These characteristics are representative of those an employee may encounter performing the essential functions of the job. The employee works with seriously mentally ill individuals where a high degree of stress is possible. The position does not normally involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues; but it may require performing unplanned tasks where exposure may occur. The position requires the use of standard precautions.

• Completion of tuberculin screening no later than three days prior to first day of employment and annually thereafter
• Completion of a pre-employment drug screening and completion of post-employment drug or alcohol tests upon reasonable suspicion of use.
• Completion of Center-wide orientation and ALL required paperwork prior to reporting for work
• Demonstrated computer literacy through successful completion of pre-employment testing may be required.
• Completion of Total Quality Management training
• Attendance at all mandatory staff development and training
• Successful completion of a six month on the job orientation period
• Participation in payroll electronic deposit
• Adherence to Compliance Program Plan
• Satisfactory reference and background investigation checks
• Satisfactory completion of an Indiana Department of Child Services criminal fingerprinting background check at the time of hire and every four years (or at contract renewal when applicable) for any employee that has direct contact on a regular and continuing basis with DCS and IVB clients

Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed, to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. They are meant to be accurate reflections of the principal job elements essential for making fair pay decisions about jobs.

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