Are you looking to make a difference in people’s lives? Do you want to learn and grow professionally while experiencing meaningful work?

Join our community mental health and wellness program and help people achieve success every day. Envision is a premier provider of recovery based mental health services in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. We inspire hope, inspiration and resiliency to hundreds of people each year.

Envision Unlimited is excited to bring aboard a Employment Specialist to expand community relationships and create employment opportunities for our clients with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities in our Day Training Division.
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in human service field/liberal arts degree or high school diploma, with at least of 3 years of experience in providing employment services for adults with mental illness. Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid driver's license, be approved to drive agency vehicles through agency insurance, pass a required criminal background check and pass the STOFHLA.  Must possess basic computer skills in excel, email and word documents.

GENERAL FUNCTIONS:  Carry out the services of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment by assisting clients to obtain and maintain employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. Serve as a member of an interdisciplinary mental health team to integrate employment services into client’s mental health treatment plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:          

• Engage clients and establish trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive employment in community job settings with other workers who do not necessarily have disabilities.
• Assist clients in obtaining information about their benefits (e.g., SSI, Medicaid, etc.) and how they will be affected by employment in order for clients to make goo decisions about employment opportunities and help client report earnings as needed
• Assess client’s vocational functioning on an ongoing basis utilizing background information and work experience.
• With client’s permission, provide information education and support to members and discuss client’s preferences for disclosure of psychiatric status to employers.
• Conduct job development and job search activities directed toward positions that are individualized to the interests and uniqueness of the people on his/her caseload, following the principles and procedures of IPS.
• Conducts a minimum of six employer contacts per week. Employer contacts are designed to learn about the needs of the business, describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
• Provide individualized follow-along supports to assist clients in maintaining employment.
• Write job support plans with clients and incorporate input from the client’s mental health treatment team.
• Provide education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact by the employment specialist with the employer.
• Provide outreach services as necessary to clients when they appear to disengage from the service, utilizing a variety of methods of outreach.
• Provide timely interventions, return phone calls, and respond to all situations within a timely manner. Return phone calls withing 24 business hours, respond to contact employers regarding job loss or job-related concerns withing 24 business hours, follow-up on job leads within 48 hours, and meet with clients within one week prior to beginning employment and within 3 days after beginning employment.
• Participate in weekly consultations with the client’s mental health treatment team in order to coordinate and integrate vocational services into the client’s mental health treatment.
• Collaborate with Vocational Counselors at Department of Human Services – Division of Rehabilitation Services for the purpose of achieving employment outcomes.
• Maintain and update client’s pertinent information within the MH electronic care system i.e. face sheets, contacts, consents, and diagnoses.
• Achieve required productivity targets related to service reporting and billing, completing documentation in a timely manner.
• Provide and document crisis interventions as needed, within 24 hours of an incident, and complete an incident reports when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

OVERALL JOB PERFORMANCE

• At all times maintain confidentiality according to the Illinois Mental Health code and Confidentiality Act.
• Responsible for participating in required in-service training and community training seminars at the discretion of the Director.
• Be prepared to present information from outside trainings to clinical staff.
• Attend/complete agency trainings as required.
• Participate in/attend committee meetings as applicable.
• Attend special events for clients and assist as needed.
• Maintain a professional image and role as a representative of Envision Unlimited.
• Inform supervisor of any condition that impacts the safety and wellbeing of clients served. Seek assistance as necessary to mitigate risk and seek out supervision as needed.
• Attend individual supervision with supervisor at scheduled time weekly to review and report on progress, productivity, and concerns.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability with changes to program needs and schedule as the need arises.

Envision Unlimited offers competitive salaries and a generous benefit package to our professionals:

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, PPO

Dental and Vision Insurance Options

Company paid Life Insurance

12 Paid Holidays 

Paid vacation, sick time and personal days

401K plan

In house training and CEU’s

Employee Assistance Network

Support for pursuing clinical licensure (financial and time off)

Opportunity for career growth & development 

Envision Unlimited provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.