Lutheran Social Services of WI & Upper MI in collaboration with Racine County is currently seeking a full-time, 2nd shift Mental Health Specialist to join our team in the SAIL Program. SAIL is a 24-7, 13 bed, short-term crisis stabilization center for Racine County adult residents having mental health crisis. Mental Health Specialists team with behavioral health professionals to plan and provide mental health services for individuals in crisis including individual and group activities, making referrals to resources in the community and providing a safe, clean environment for SAIL consumers, and performs other duties as assigned. Duties may include non-standard work weeks.

As a 24-7 facility, all staff are required to work every other weekend and rotating holidays. While this is a full-time role, 2nd shift, 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM every Thursday through Monday.

Essential Duties and responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

• Ability to provide continuous care to SAIL consumers affected by severe and persistent mental illness.
• Supports consumer participation in a treatment plan, such as goals, coping mechanisms, and safety compliance.
• Facilitates both individual and group activities.
• Observes consumer physical, mental, and emotional conditions and reports changes as needed.
• Gathers data from consumer/family interviews, past records, other information to gain understanding and verification of previous diagnosed disorders and treatment episodes.
• Documents all activities to ensure compliance with County, State and Federal requirements.
• Answers the 24-hour crisis hotline and responds to requests for information or Crisis Services.
• Is responsible for enhancing the health, safety, and welfare, of every person supported at the SAIL Program.
• Maintains individual dignity and exercises courtesy when assisting/working with people.
• Is responsible for assessing suicide risk and appropriate crisis intervention.
• Is responsible for working both independently and cooperatively with others to accomplish objectives.
• Transport consumers per Racine County SAIL program policy/protocol.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

PERKS:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flex Spending for Dependent & Health Care
• Clinical Supervision towards SAC or LPC
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Ability to Contribute to 403B
• Employee Assistance Program
• Service Awards and Recognition

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• This position requires a High School diploma and one year of related experience or an Associate degree in Human Services or related area.
• Ability to use good judgment, make quick decisions, good problem-solving skills, and apply common sense.
• Must have critical thinking skills.
• Ability to oversee and communicate to developmentally disabled, mentally ill consumers, or those with alcohol or drug dependency.
• Ability to maintain self-composure and self-control while working with consumers with challenging or aggressive behaviors. This includes staying calm in stressful situations.
• Understanding of community resources and where to get these resources.
• Awareness and basic knowledge of DSM V and DHS Chapters 34, 51, 54/55, 48, and 94 preferred.

• Must be able and willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays (rotating holiday schedule).

• Prompt and regular attendance.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

This position requires a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation to perform the essential duties of the role; a motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record per the LSS Driver Safety Procedure is required, and ability to meet LSS auto insurance requirements.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The job allows the employee to vary physical position or activity for comfort. The employee may be required to stand and /or walk for 8 hours or longer. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently (i.e. 34% to 66% of the time) required to grasp/handle objects, and use fine manipulation/fingering. In addition the employee is occasionally (1% to 33% of the time) required to sit, climb, bend/stoop, knell, crouch, twist, reach above or below shoulder height, and push or pull up to 50 lbs. The employee may be required to lift up to 50 lbs rarely, and up to 25 lbs occasionally. The employee will be expected to use cleaning products as needed.

This position works in a community based residential environment. The incumbent will also be exposed to outdoor conditions when traveling on company business.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TRAVEL: Ability to travel on day trips as required. Seldom overnight travel may be required.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.