Employment Specialist - ACT Team

Why Prairie Ridge?

At Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, our mission is to empower individuals to live healthy, purpose-filled lives on their terms. We believe in the potential of every person and recognize that meaningful care starts with understanding their experiences, strengths, and goals. Through personalized, whole-person care, we help individuals build the skills, connections, and support they need to move forward.

Our work is guided by five core values: Unyielding Empowerment, Relentless Resiliency, Inspirational Integrity, Active Accountability, and Radical Respect. These values shape how we care for the people we serve, work alongside one another, and connect with our communities. We value the different experiences and perspectives each team member brings and the collaboration it takes to provide thoughtful, coordinated care.

As part of our new Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team serving the Marshalltown area, you’ll have the opportunity to help build something meaningful from the beginning. You’ll work alongside colleagues from different professional backgrounds to bring treatment and practical support directly to individuals in their everyday lives, helping them work toward greater stability, independence, and the goals that matter to them.

What Is the ACT Team?

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a team-based approach to supporting adults living with serious and persistent mental illness. The team brings treatment and practical support into people’s homes and community settings, helping them manage symptoms, navigate challenges, and work toward their personal goals. Team members from different professional backgrounds work closely together to provide coordinated, individualized care.

As the Employment (Vocational) Support Specialist, you will help individuals receiving ACT services explore their interests, build job skills, and pursue employment goals. You’ll develop relationships with community partners and employers, identify job opportunities, and provide individualized coaching and ongoing support to help individuals find and maintain employment. Working alongside the ACT team, you’ll advocate for individuals, monitor their progress, and participate in the on-call rotation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Engage patients in job skill development and conduct interest and skills assessments.
2. Work with community partners on job development and job placement options.
3. Engage in job coaching and counseling with ACT Team members in need of these services.
4. Facilitate support groups and provide direct follow-up support.
5. Participate in ACT Team consultation meetings and in the on-call rotation. 
6. Monitor client progress in the services received and facilitate updating the individual service goals.
7. Advocate for the client with potential employers.
8. 8. Treat all individuals with dignity and respect while maintaining agency standards of confidentiality, professionalism and objectivity. 
   
9. 9. Maintain all HIPAA and 42 CFR confidentiality requirements and regulations as outlined in CARF policies and procedures.
10. 10. Comply with agency policies, procedures and regulatory standards.
11. All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR POSITION

1. Master’s degree in Human Service and (1) year of practical experience OR Bachelor’s degree in Human Service such as sociology, social work, psychology, criminal justice, gerontology, counseling, education, or nursing and (3) years of experience in a related field. Networking experience preferred.
2. Valid Driver’s License
3. Vocational rehabilitation experience preferred.
4. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and/or weekends if necessary.
5. Travel is required as this is a community-based job position. 
6. Supportive of the mission of Prairie Ridge and the patients we serve.
7. Proficiency in oral and written communication skills, as well as documentation requirements.
8. Technology skills allowing for proficiency in use of electronic health record.
9. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is often required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance.
   
10. The employee must infrequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or more up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.