Supported Employment & Engagement Specialist - First Episode Psychosis Clinic

JOB SUMMARY:

The Supported Employment & Engagement Specialist (SEES) helps young people experiencing a first episode of psychosis pursue meaningful employment, education, and career goals as part of their recovery. Working as a member of an evidence-based Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) team, this role partners with individuals to identify their strengths, interests, and aspirations while providing individualized support to obtain and maintain competitive employment or educational opportunities.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build trusting, person-centered relationships with individuals and families to support recovery-oriented employment and educational goals, using a strengths-based, collaborative approach. Offer services to all enrolled clients regardless of symptom severity or perceived readiness, consistent with the IPS "no exclusions" philosophy.
• Deliver evidence-based Supported Employment and Education services using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, including career profile assessments, disclosure discussions, and a "place then train" approach that prioritizes rapid engagement in competitive employment or mainstream education aligned with client preferences. Maintain required IPS certification.
• Provide individualized vocational and educational coaching across all phases: job exploration, career planning, school enrollment, financial aid, resume development, interview preparation, benefits counseling, and ongoing follow-along support. Identify academic accommodations and school-based resources for clients pursuing education.
• Conduct active community outreach, dedicating a minimum of 20% of FTE to developing relationships with local employers, colleges, vocational programs, and community partners to expand opportunities for clients.
• Collaborate fully as a member of the multidisciplinary FEP team, participating in weekly team meetings and daily huddles, contributing to treatment planning, and integrating vocational and educational goals into each client's individualized wellness plan.
• Advocate for workplace and academic accommodations and connect individuals with community resources, including NC Vocational Rehabilitation, to support sustained participation in meaningful roles as a core component of early psychosis recovery.
• Maintain timely documentation, manage a caseload of at least 15 active clients per FTE, and participate in all required EPI-NC Learning Healthcare Network activities, including Project ECHO sessions, role-specific consultation calls, and fidelity monitoring.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Communication Skills

Effectively and respectably communicate with other individuals, whether it be a colleague, patient, or patient’s family member and appropriately enumerate information in a manner easily understood by all parties. We do this to foster a culture of understanding between all parties, especially in complex and difficult situations, to ultimately provide the best care possible to our patients and their families.

• Decision Making

Ability to make the most appropriate decision in a given situation and then taking the next steps to ensure appropriate and timely completion. This requires conflict resolution skills, critical thinking skills, confidence in your ability to make the right decision in most situations. This also includes ability to prioritize your workday appropriately to ensure the most important tasks are completed on time.

• HealthCare Knowledge

Having the drive to keep yourself abreast and up to date on the new breakthroughs in your area of expertise and communicating them to the rest of the team, as appropriate.  This also includes keeping up with your licensure and yearly training requirements within your area expertise along with MAHEC’s organizational training. Finally, the ability to apply the depth of knowledge maintained and gained through this process in real life scenarios as appropriate.

• Interpersonal Skills

Showing the ability to meet difficult situations with grace, professionalism, and understanding. Within your area of expertise, showing respect and showing empathy where appropriate with your colleagues, patients, and their family at all times, even when its most difficult to do so. This is done, in part, by effective listening, being your authentic self, showing responsibility and dependability, and being patient with others.

• Organizational Values

Adherence to MAHEC’s founding principles and incorporating them every day. This includes, among others, having integrity and accountability, reverence for other cultures and equitable practices, ability to manage change, and displaying a clear understanding of organizational dynamics. Doing these things creates a culture where people want to do the best for each other and gives personal ownership towards the goal of helping people in their time of need.

• Problem Solving

Having an analytical mind and ability to work autonomously to solve complex problems that may arise. The wherewithal to think logically through a difficult problem and come to an appropriate resolution for a given issue. This helps to drive continuous improvement by thinking through where we can improve in a novel way. Measures success by understanding where we are currently and where we want to go and then applying those new ideas to affect positive change.

SPECIFIED SKILLS

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective time management skills and ability to work under pressure
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate MAHEC vehicles and be covered under MAHEC insurance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, rehabilitation counseling, human services, or a related field
  • 1 year of experience in supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, career counseling, or a related behavioral health or human services role
  • Experience working with individuals with mental illness, substance use disorder, or related behavioral health needs

• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience working with young adults with serious mental illness or first episode psychosis
  • Familiarity with the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model
  • CPR, First Aid, NCI

REQUIRED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• IPS Certification required within 6 months of hire per EPI-NC Fidelity Standard

SCHEDULE:

• Regular attendance on-site is an essential function of this position. Typical business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (or flexed to best meet the needs of the clients and/or the Division); 40 hours per workweek; weekend, holiday, or evening coverage is occasionally required. Work hours will need to be flexible in order to respond to special work assignments, or evening activities, as requested by the team leader and may be asked to appear after work hours, with additional compensation

COMPENSATION:

• $23.65/hr + MAHEC Total Rewards Package

At MAHEC, we strive to equip all team members with Total Rewards (pay + benefits) to honor their service, support their health, manage their financial security, build their career, and thrive.

MAHEC is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Employees who meet federal requirements may be eligible to have remaining student loan balances forgiven after 10 years of qualifying payments while working full-time at MAHEC.

If you are interested in this role, and you have related experience and qualifications, we encourage you to apply or reach out to [email protected] for support in your job search process. You could be the talent we are seeking for this or other opportunities

All MAHEC employees and learners will be required to receive the Flu vaccine or have an approved exemption.

MAHEC does not provide employment-based US visa sponsorship, now or in the future. All new employees must provide valid, original I-9 documents on their first day of work.

MAHEC Talent Management is located at 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803. Equal Opportunity Employer.