Family Support Specialist

Major Responsibilities:

• Conducts biopsychosocial, safety, and family needs assessment, including social/emotional, financial, environmental, developmental, and cultural needs.
• Coordinates and facilitates family care conferences on behalf of the family and medical team.
• Participates in family needs-based care planning.
• Provides family systemic strategies and interventions to families that promote positive health care beliefs, and mobilize family resources that promote positive health outcomes.
• Provides family support activities such as support groups and health education classes.
• Engages and coordinates Aurora and other health care services as well as community-based services on behalf of the patient/family and as it relates to the patient/family’s unique care needs. Provides resource and referral to patients and families as assigned and when appropriate.
• Serves as a consultant to the patient/family and to the medical team regarding family/cultural dynamics, and identified barriers to care.
• Provides care management follow-up as needed, including home visitation services.
• Coordinates and facilitates patient/family advisory committee, and serves as liaison between the committee and the medical team.
• Assists medical team in successfully implementing and achieving care management strategies, including providing depression screening, and assisting with health education/ family support activities. Communicates regularly with and acts as a resource to the medical team who provide care to the individual/family.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Marriage and Family Therapist license issued by the state of Wisconsin, or
• Marriage and Family Therapist Training license issued by the state of Wisconsin, or
• Professional Counselor license issued by the state of Wisconsin, or
• Professional Counselor Training license issued by the state of Wisconsin, or
• Social Worker, Clinical license issued by the state of Wisconsin, or
• Social Worker, Adv Practice license issued by the state of Wisconsin.

Education Required:

• Master's Degree in Social Work, or
• Master's Degree in Behavioral Sciences or related field.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in working with social service or behavioral health issues, such as social service, community, school, and hospital based experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Working knowledge of behavioral health, family systemic therapies, and community-based resource management.
• Ability to work in a team setting.
• Must possess and provide proof of a valid Wisconsin Driver License and a registered, functional car with adequate insurance coverage.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Competency in the use of basic computer applications, including Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Ability to complete the requirements of agency and program/department orientation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills demonstrating an ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships within a multi-level service delivery system building individual, family, agency and community partnerships.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Will frequently be required to lift up to 25 lbs. without assistance, and will occasionally be required to lift over 25 lbs. with assistance.
• Will be exposed to the following hazards on a continuous but inconsistent basis: mechanical, electrical, chemical, blood and body fluids; therefore appropriate clothing must be worn.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, and reach above shoulders and twist.
• Must be able to quickly respond without warning to emergencies or crisis.
• May be exposed to verbal or physical outbursts from clients and/or their family members.
• Must be able to restrain and control patients who are outwardly psychotic or physically combative.
• Must be able to travel and, therefore, may be exposed to hazardous weather and road conditions.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.