Job Purpose/Summary

The Adult DAS Worker provides direct care services for individuals who are experiencing immediate crisis related psychiatric emergencies. The incumbent provides individual, basic, bio-psychosocial assessments, medication administration, service linkage in a co-occurring environment, and co-occurring, individual, and group sessions. The position promotes coping skills and assists in the planning/preparing discharge process.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in related field of expertise or be actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree by taking a minimum of 1 course per semester, plus 1 – 3 years of work experience or any combination of education and training.

Experience: Minimum of 1 year of experience in residential, mental health, or a related field preferred.

Licenses, Certifications & Clearances:  

• Act 33/34 Clearances
• FBI Clearance
• Valid State of PA Class 1 Drivers License
• Access to properly insured motor vehicle for client transportation and fieldwork and a safe driving record

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Exhibits ethical business behavior and maintains confidentiality of information and compliance as required by WFS policy.
• Ability to exhibit cultural sensitivity and to contribute to a work environment where diversity is welcomed and supported.
• Characteristics:
  • Conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change
  • Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems
  • Commitment to valuing a nurturing family as the ideal environment
  • Capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals
• Ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers or professionals.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage time by prioritizing and organizing activities to meet competing needs within deadlines.
• Knowledge of the principles used in providing Adult DAS services:
  • Recovery principles
  • Co-occurring disorder education
• Knowledge of risk assessment and the ability to conduct suicide and violence risk assessments.
• Ability to collaboratively document services in recovery-oriented means including:
  • Assessments
  • Progress notes
  • Discharge summaries
• Ability to identify the strengths and needs of individuals.
• Ability to assess individuals and their specific needs:
  • Individual, current circumstances
  • Mental status exam
  • Diagnosis – knows broad diagnostic categories
  • Co-occurring disorders
  • Co-morbidity of medical conditions
  • Medication management
  • Crisis management skill development
• Knowledge and skill in the development and implementation of intervention strategies:
  • Proactive versus reactive interventions
• Knowledge on service planning
  • Collaborative service planning principles
  • Process of developing a collaborative service plan
  • Development of crisis plans
  • Development of WRAP plans
  • Development of mental health advanced directives
• Knowledge of position responsibilities, including state mandates and county expectations.
• Knowledge and skill in the development and implementation of crisis intervention strategies.
• Ability to identify and manage the symptoms of severe mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of medications for managing the symptoms of severe mental illness.
• Ability to work professionally and effectively with other community agencies, the general public and agency staff.
• Knowledge about identifying and managing substance use problems:
  • Knowledge of 12-step programs, groups, area resources, recovery/prevention/rehabilitation, children/adolescents with disorders, planning, and documentation
  • Ability to identify symptoms, support systems, and community resources
  • Knowledge of treatment needs of MISA population and internal and external resources
  • Knowledge of the needs of the adult population and community resources (inpatient units, dual diagnosis, intensive outpatient services, etc.)
• Knowledge about identifying and managing co-morbid health problems and promoting wellness.
• Ability to help individuals find meaningful activity, employment, and maintain employment.
• Ability to set appropriate limits and knowledge of ethics in providing service coordination.
• Knowledge of the guidelines and regulations for all Adult DAS program worker positions.
• Ability to manage time by prioritizing and organizing activities to meet agency, county, and state statistical guidelines and required time frames.
• Ability to utilize supervision in a constructive manner.
• Ability to work independently, utilizing good judgment.
• Knowledge of ways to access services: resources, benefits, commitment procedures.
• Ability to assist with the coordination of services across programs/providers.
• Effective use of problem resolution – advocacy, data, grievances.
• Knowledge of recovery resources – informal supports, services.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists with implementation of consumer’s Individual Service Plan (ISP), facilitates consumer’s participation in external daytime services, such as the Partial Hospital Program, Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR), and Socialization Rehabilitation, leads psycho-educational groups discussing co-occurring disorders, and provides 1-on-1 counseling sessions.

• Assists consumer with daily living needs, including meal serving and clean-up, laundry, and personal hygiene/independent living skills.

• Assists consumers with arranging medical and psychiatric appointments with their Service Coordinators or any service members as needed. Assures consumers have scheduled psychiatric appointments, as needed, each week and attends these appointments when consumers request staff input.

• Assists consumer with their participation in community based recreational and leisure activities.

• Provides frequent and on-going emotional support and intervention and utilizes effective problem-solving techniques on a routine basis to consumers in various degrees of emergency crisis.

• Observes consumer’s behavior and reports changes to the Adult DAS Coordinator and/or emergency on-call personnel, when/if necessary. Directly provides appropriate emergency crisis intervention and seeks help as necessary (e.g., other available staff, police, or other emergency medical personnel).

• Inspects furniture and equipment. Identifies and reports needed repairs.

• Responsible for completing and coordinating consumer’s admissions and discharges, along with organizing case records as delegated. Seeks CCBHO, Allegheny County, and Westmoreland County authorizations for admissions. Follows through with requesting additional days of stay.

• Communicates and participates in the resolution of clinical and treatment issues with internal professionals regarding individual services and program operations.

• Implements scheduled fire safety drills and equipment checks.

• Communicates with Adult DAS Coordinator or on-call personnel regarding emergency situations. Implements emergency procedures.

• Assists consumers handling personal finances, including contingency funds.

• Addresses all issues of fraud waste and/or abuse as they arise and proactively looks for ways to prevent instances of fraud, waste, and abuse in the service delivery system and work systems of the agency as described in the agency Compliance Plan.

*$2.00 increase per hour working after 4 pm on weekdays and any time on the weekends!*

Pay: $17.00 – $18.00 per hour

Minimum education level: Bachelor’s degree or be actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree by taking a minimum of 1 course per semester, plus 1 – 3 years of work experience

Minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience as a Residential Program Worker or In-Patient Psychiatric Aide

Do you have some mental health experience (internship, education, etc.)?

Do you have 1 year of mental health field (crisis, counseling, addiction, etc.) experience? (preferred)

Benefits for Full Time Employees:

Medical, Dental, and Visions plans effective the 1st of month after 30 days
Flexible Work Schedule
15 paid days off 1st year, 20 Paid days off 2nd year, then continues to increase
Tuition Reimbursement
Discounted Tuition for several local colleges/universities
11 Paid Holidays
Pet Insurance
Employer Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability
401k Plan – Employer match available!
Employer paid life insurance
Critical Illness Diagnosis & Accident Insurance
Yearly performance reviews with merit increase eligibility
FREE Licensure Supervision!!