Mental Health Program Specialist PRN - Harrisburg, PA

POSITION SUMMARY: Develops, implements, and documents individual programs for individuals with behavioral health needs. Provides supervision and programmatic decision-making. Completes mental status exams utilizing current knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Provides supportive counseling and acts as an advocate to represent the individual's needs and rights with all outside support service agencies, families, etc. Assists and supports individuals in all activities of daily living. Designs and facilitates therapeutic groups. Plans and implements community integration activities. Administers medications as prescribed by the physician, following all physicians' orders. Responsible for adherence to the standards, procedures and schedules established by the Program Supervisor and/or the Director of ARBHS.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement individual programs for individuals with behavioral health needs and provide other individualized case management functions as directed by supervisor or director
• Provide supervision and program implementation
• Provide all appropriate documentation set forth by director and regulations including but not limited to monthly summaries, medication administration recording, and individual behavioral/psychiatric assessments
• Provide mental status exam using the current DSM criteria
• Provide supportive counseling to individuals with personal, behavioral, or social challenges
• Develop and ensure individual's adherence to behavior management plans
• Advocate for individuals with outside support agencies
• Interface with families and other interested parties within the limits of signed consents
• Design and facilitate therapeutic groups according to individual need
• Plan and implement community integration plans for individuals
• Administer medications to residents as directed by physician following successful completion of Department of Human Services (DHS) approved medication administration training and certification
• Maintain communication with medical physician, psychiatrist, and pharmacist as needed; enter written physician orders and pharmacy labels onto Medication Administration Record (MAR)
• Maintain communication with appropriate ancillary service providers including physical and occupational therapists
• Assist and train consumers in all aspects of self- care in order to ensure maximal level of independence for that individual. These areas will include all aspects of personal hygiene, shopping, cooking, meal serving, budgeting, laundry, and housekeeping
• Ensure a safe and clean living environment for individuals
• Intervene in crisis situations in accordance with established agency protocol
• Provide routine health care functions as directed such as obtaining and recording vital signs, weights, and glucometer readings
• Encourage individuals in the constructive use of leisure time
• Escort individuals to and from day programs and appointments
• Attend scheduled staff meetings
• Facilitate resident group meetings
• Attend appropriate in-service as directed by supervisor and required by funder and regulatory bodies
• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team by meeting with family members, Intensive Case Manager (ICM) and/or county representatives to discuss resident needs
• Conduct fire drills and building inspections and provide the appropriate documentation for same
• Report all problems or concerns to supervisor or director
• Remain on duty until relieved
• Maintain current certification/recertification of CPR, First Aid, Crisis Intervention, and Medication Administration
• Responsible for adherence to standards, procedures and schedules established by the program administration
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), crisis intervention and medication administration using agency-trained protocols
• Perform other duties as assigned

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Program Supervisor and Program Director

DIRECT REPORTS: None

CONTACTS: Elwyn personnel, Elwyn clientele, funding and regulatory agency personnel, families, outside health care providers, personnel, social security personnel, Department of Human Services (DHS) personnel and other outside mental health providers.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree required
• One-year experience in behavioral health field desirable
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Must be able to perform CPR and crisis intervention techniques using agency-trained protocols
• Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated basic experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook,
• Must have current, valid driver's license in state of residence, 3 years driving experience, and acceptable driving record

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE: See Physical Demands Checklist below which represents the general physical demands and environment conditions to which the employee holding this position must meet, in addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Elwyn will engage otherwise qualified candidates for this position whose disabilities may require reasonable accommodations to enable an individual to perform the essential functions.

Elwyn reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as needed. This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive statement of duties and responsibilities of the job nor does it constitute a written or implied contract.

Elwyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Elwyn does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, pregnancy status, medical condition, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, handicap status, marital or family status, mental or physical disability, perceived disability, military or veteran status, political activities or affiliations, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation. #mon #ca