Departments

Human Resources

Weekly Job Requisitions

< Back to Job Requisitions

MH PROGRAM SPECIALIST I

EXEMPT: No
DEPARTMENT: MH/MR
UNION: 04
UPDATE: 09/02/10

SUMMARY: This is a professional level administrative position that is responsible for the development, coordination, and monitoring of programs for all individuals identified as receiving services through the Community Hospital Integration Projects Program (CHIPPs) and Southeastern Integration Projects Programs (SIPPs) as well as assisting in the assessment and development of program needs for community support services.  These programs are to serve persons who are or were in state hospitals and/or persons at risk of long-term hospitalization.  This position is also responsible for assisting in the development of Community Support Plans (CSPs) for individuals who are inpatient at Norristown State Hospital (NSH) and the oversight of said plans for those individuals discharged from the state hospital who are formally identified as CHIPPs.  This position and its duties require employee initiative, knowledge of the Mental Health system and services, and the ability to act independently.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

Program Development:

• Development of new CHIPPs/SIPPs programs as funds are available.
• Coordinates the enhancement of community based programs to meet the needs of the individuals identified through CHIPPs/SIPPs as well as the needs of individuals who are diverted from state hospital admission.
• Develops and coordinates the review of any Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) for new services created for CHIPPs/SIPPs.
• Provides technical assistance and consultation to providers serving CHIPPs/SIPPs persons.
• Develops policy and procedures for implementing the assessment of and the transfer of persons from state hospitals to community services and the diversion of persons who could be potential admissions to a state hospital for long-term care.
• Assessment of challenging situations in order to identify needed supports for individuals in the community.  May include transitional populations (e.g. transitional age youth, older adults, medically fragile, etc.).
• Responsible to aid in the development and coordination of mental health program plans.

Program Coordination:

• Coordinates needs based planning process for all Bucks County residents in state hospitals.
• Serves as a liaison for the County Office to the state hospitals.
• Coordinates with Administrative Case Managers for NSH and ensure they maintain contact with Bucks County Residents through routine visits and team meetings.  Ensure information obtained is communicated to the CHIPPs Coordinator.
• Maintains contact with the providers’ hospital liaisons to ensure the County’s involvement with program planning and continuity of care.
• Serves as a liaison to County consumers and advocacy groups who are involved with the CHIPPs implementation.
• Maintains state hospital waiting lists and reviews all requests for admission.
• Participates in five-county regional workgroup as appropriate.
• Facilitates state hospital preadmission screening to ensure appropriateness of referral and possible diversionary options.
• Submits updates and reports as needed to Federal and State entities on identified CHIPPs and SIPPs persons.
• Maintains contact with NSH social workers and attends meetings as needed for Bucks County residents at NSH Forensic Unit to aid in service coordination for discharge or appropriate transfer to Civil Unit.
• Performs other related work as requested.

Monitoring:

• Makes site visits to monitor the quality of programs serving CHIPPs/SIPPs persons.
• Manages and provides direction to programs that provide the highest level of care (e.g. Long-Term Structured Residence (LTSR), Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT), Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT), and Community Treatment Teams (CTT).  Uses a quality assurance process, which includes data related to outcomes in order to evaluate the effectiveness of services.
• Reviews monthly reports submitted by community case managers and providers on CHIPPs/SIPPS persons and provide assistance and mentoring when needed to address problems.
• Ensures compliance with state/federal regulations and County policy and procedures.
• Updates reporting formats and investigates enhancements of the systems used to track CHIPPS/SIPPs persons.
• Coordinates with consumer satisfaction activities related to programs serving CHIPPs/SIPPs persons.  Review final reports of aforementioned evaluations and works with provider agencies to address areas for improvement.
• Monitors/reviews peer activities/involvement related to the state hospital. 
• Monitors state hospital usage to ensure the County stays within its mandated census.
• Other responsibilities as delegated.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Any combination of experience and training which affords the applicant an opportunity to gain the above listed knowledge, skill and ability.

• Bachelor’s Degree and two (2) years of professional level experience in the field of mental health or any equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Pennsylvania residency required.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of mental health program planning and development as it relates to the implementation of direct services and operational procedures.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate the system and programs and make recommendations leading toward policy and method determination.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department staff and other agencies, such as the Bucks County Behavioral Health System, the County’s Behavioral Health Managed Care Company, Drug and Alcohol Commission and provider agencies.
• Ability to make clear and pertinent statements orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and have strong organizational skills.
• Knowledge of basic principles and methods of working with adults with mental illness and co-occurring substance disorders.
• Knowledge of substance abuse resources, Department of Public Welfare/Medical Assistance application information and other community resources.
• Knowledge of federal, state and county legislation, policies and procedures related to the mental health delivery system.
• Ability to formulate and carry out planning initiatives.
• Attends and travels to meetings and trainings as needed, including those scheduled overnight, evenings and weekends.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.