[Hiring] IPS Specialist @Vibrant Emotional Health

Role Description

Vibrant’s Older Adult Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program focuses on helping older adults learn the skills that will help them achieve their goals, establish independence, and live meaningful lives in their communities. This program is designed and tailored specifically to the unique needs of adults over 50 years old with serious mental disorders. Our on-the-ground ACT team is mobile, multi-disciplinary, and available 24/7 to work hand-in-hand with older adults to facilitate their independence.

Under the direction of the ACT Team Lead, the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Specialist is responsible for assisting clients with obtaining and maintaining employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. This role focuses on ensuring support for schooling and technical training for career advancement.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Delivers individualized supported employer services for ACT clients, using the evidence-based IPS model.
• Engages clients in both individual and group settings to establish trust and collaborative relationships in competitive employment opportunities in the community.
• Assists clients in understanding how entitlements will be affected by employment.
• Assesses clients' vocational skills and preferences.
• Conducts job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the client, following the principles and procedures of IPS supported employment.
• Contacts employers weekly to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program.
• Provides education and support to employers.
• Participates in weekly meetings with mental health treatment team and communicates individually with team members to coordinate and integrate vocational services with mental health treatment.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Required Skills/ Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to mental health, disability, and employment challenges.
• Ability to conduct vocational assessments.
• Strong business communication and negotiation skills.
• Responsiveness and crisis management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary mental health treatment teams.
• Proficiency in documentation, record-keeping, and use of electronic health record systems.
• Ability to work independently while meeting program standards and performance measures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Mental Health Discipline or related field.
• 1-2 years of experience with individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
• 1-3 years of experience in job development and employer engagement for those in underserved communities.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• 75-100% Travel within NYC boroughs and neighboring counties as appropriate.
• Bilingual/bicultural skills preferred.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• 75-100% Travel within NYC boroughs and neighboring counties as appropriate, requiring robust physical activity, coordination and stamina.
• Comfort in commuting with public transportation, constant exposure to outdoor conditions.
• Comfortable meeting with consumers inside their homes.
• Must be able to constantly communicate with program participants, service providers, and colleagues and exchange accurate information.

Benefits

• Excellent comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, supplemental income insurance.
• Employer paid disability insurance.
• Employer paid life insurance.
• Pre-tax FSA for medical and dependent care.
• 401K available.