**Mental Health Support Specialist** Location: Peoria, IL **Position Summary** The Mental Health Support Specialist works in alignment with the program supervisor to ensure that DHS expectations and NYAP values around services delivery to vulnerable populations that the Front Door Diversion Program serves are fully responded to by providing excellent front-end assessments and welcoming approach to potential customers of the program. This position provides timely mental health evaluation and assessment data to help determine the correct service venue for the customer. Hours: Monday – Friday, 9a – 5p **Working At NYAP:** NYAP's commitment to doing what is _best_ for children, youth and their families is a core, unwavering value evidenced across all aspects of our work. + 22 Paid Days Off Each Year. + Plus 11 Paid Holidays Per Year. + Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits for you and your family. + Retirement-matching 401(k). + Milestone Work Anniversary Awards. + Peace Leave Benefit. + Summer Hours to encourage work-life balance. + Excellent training, continuing education, and leadership development opportunities + Student Loan Repayment assistance. + Tuition Assistance. + Flexible schedule + Mileage reimbursement Benefits listed are for eligible employees as outlined by our benefit policy. **Responsibilities** The Mental Health Support Specialist position may include the following, as well as other duties assigned: + Perform all work in a manner consistent with the National Youth Advocate Program’s mission, values, and philosophies. + Functions as the primary mental health professional contact person with referral sources at assigned hospitals and other community venues. + Delivers prompt and professional clinical services while maintain appropriate level of confidentiality. + Screen referrals for mental health services, determine severity and what type of services are needed. + Builds name recognition and working relationships with Maximus screeners. + Work as a member for the care team to meet the needs of the customer and to support program goals. + Builds working relationships with the various hospital social workers. + Applies clinical skills to help screen individuals for the program. + Utilizing and creating a work base from the point of referral, which will be the hospital or community setting. + Builds and fosters a working relationship with hospital staff and hospital social workers. + Fostering people skills to be able to connect with clients. + Develops comprehensive front-end assessment of potential clients. + Completes clinical assessment of potential clients. + Utilizes standardized assessment/screening tools effectively in order to help gage client appropriateness for services. + Diagnosing mental illness with knowledge of DSM VI. + Creates linkage and referrals for follow up services. + Provides individual therapy, depression, anger management, medical providers for related medical conditions. + Functions effectively as a link between the hospital, the client and the subsequent service providing agency worker. + Demonstrates the technical and behavioral competencies necessary in the implementation of standardized assessment tools. + Completes all related screening documentation in a timely manner. + Completes all required performance tracking, data collection and documentation. + Performs other duties as requested. **Minimum Qualifications** + Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology preferred or comparable Human Services field from an accredited institution or BA plus 3 years of mental health experience. + 2 years of work experience working in the mental health field in a crisis setting. + Ability to relate therapeutically with customers, display cultural sensitivity and strong sense of empathy. + Knowledge of Medicaid Rules and other funder expectations. + Familiarity and knowledge of DSM VI and psychological testing strongly encouraged. + Knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and recognizes signs/symptoms of psychiatric illness and substance related diagnoses. + Capacity to remain objective and professional in all areas of job function. + Ability to organize data, plan, provide written and very feedback, utilize electronic health systems. + Proficient use of desktop and laptop computers, smart phones and tablets, printers, fax machines and photocopiers as well as software including word processing, spreadsheet and database programs. **Other Skills** + Ability to manage multiple tasks. + Demonstrates tolerance and respect for the ideas and actions of others. + Capacity to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds. + Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, customer services, and organizational skills. **Driving and Vehicle Requirements** + Valid driver’s license + Reliable personal transportation + Good driving record + Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,00/$300,000 bodily injury liability If this describes YOU, please apply today! www.nyap.org/employment **Who We Are** National Youth Advocate Program has been serving communities and clients since 1978 and we continue to grow each year. Our growth allows us to expand and develop new and innovative programs to meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve. We offer unique and personalized services for families and individuals in four areas: Prevention/Intervention, Positive Youth Development, Out-of-Home-Placement and Reunification/Permanency. We know you are compassionate and dedicated to serving your clients and communities and NYAP is dedicated to providing support to those who join our team! We look for individuals that are ready to make a direct impact and are excited to be an instrument in supporting the needs of our children, youth, and families. An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. **Qualifications** **The person in this position needs to follow a team concept and support both agency goals and co-workers. Employees must be able to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.** An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.