Forensic Support Specialist

 

COMPANY OVERVIEW: 

 

We are a community based social service agency that provides mental health case management services to Allegheny County?s highest risk population of children, adolescents and adults. Our goal is to ensure that mental health services are delivered in the least restrictive environment, either by maintaining the consumer in the community or supporting the efforts to return the consumer back into the community. Our consumer specific services build on consumer, family, and community strengths. Case management services are provided with a creative and flexible approach to ensure quality services.

 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

 

Provides direct and indirect services for mentally ill offenders, which include accompanying a consumer in the community and assist with activities of daily living.  Major responsibilities include independent assessment, monitor, advocacy and follow-up for a specified caseload as consumers move throughout the mental health and criminal justice system. Must also work in collaboration with the Base Service Unit (BSU), assist the BSU in obtaining necessary services, and develop a service and case management plan.

 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Master?s Degree and one year work experience working directly with people with mental illness or people involved in the criminal justice system, OR a Bachelor Degree and three years work experience working directly with people with mental illness or people involved in the criminal justice system.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Assessment and service planning which includes assessing the function level to determine appropriateness for placement in the community.

B.  Provide holistic, emotional, social, and spiritual strength and needs.

C. In collaboration with the BSU, develop a written service plan that determines how case management, housing and treatment services will be provided and the on-going role of the MH Forensic Support Specialist.

D. Collaborate with the BSU, Treatment Team (Mayview Forensic Unit, Jail Mental Health Unit, Probation, Court of Common Pleas) and other service providers in a multi-disciplinary approach.

E.  Assist the consumer in locating and obtaining needed services.

F.  Participate in discharge planning from Mayview Forensic Unit and/or Allegheny County Jail to assure appropriate referrals and appointments are obtained.

G. Collaborate with the BSU to assist the consumer in obtaining appropriate housing, utilizing contingency funds when needed.

H. Monitor service delivery.

I. Review at least bi-weekly client receipt of and participation in services within a maximum of 90 days of release from jail.

J. Contact provider agencies on a bi-weekly basis to determine status of progress with the service plan.

K.  Participate in ongoing training in the mental health and criminal justice field.

L.  Review client satisfaction with service delivery and needs and attend treatment team meetings.

M.  In collaboration with the BSU actively assist the client in gaining access to needed services and entitlements.

N. Communicate with various provider organization/agencies the problems or consumer complaints and offer feedback to the consumer.

O. Perform other duties as assigned.



 

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:



 

A. Ability to work in a team-oriented atmosphere.

B.  Ability to be attentive to detail.

C. Demonstrated organizational skills and meet all deadlines with all paperwork.

D. Knowledge of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

E.  Ability to adapt to learn new software products.

F.  Ability to work with people from a variety of diverse agencies, backgrounds, resources, and communities.

 

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Possess Act 33 and 34 Clearances.

B.  Have a valid Pennsylvania motor vehicle license, access to a personal vehicle, and have maximum auto insurance on an employee driven vehicle.

C. Computer skills.

D. Ability to work independently.

E.  Full time position requiring 38.75 hours per week.



 

APPLICATION:

Qualified applicants should submit cover letter with salary requirements and resume.