COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER

About the Role

This position serves as a vital link within the Clinical Social Work department at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UPC), dedicated to promoting rehabilitation, recovery, and resiliency for individuals and families. The role focuses on identifying personal strengths to aid in the recovery process while addressing barriers that may impede independent functioning in the community.

You will provide personalized interventions to support individuals and families during crisis situations, helping them develop the skills necessary to make informed, independent decisions. The patient care assignment is diverse, potentially including neonates, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric age groups. Specific populations may include children at risk of or experiencing serious emotional, neurobiological, and behavioral disorders; adults with severe mental illness (SMI); individuals with chronic substance abuse; and those with co-occurring disorders.

A Day in the Life

Your work will center on a patient-centered approach, adhering to the core expectations of the Patient Centered Medical Home or Specialty Practice. You will act as a navigator and advocate, working to eliminate barriers to access for culturally competent medical services and assisting patients in securing community resources and financial assistance.

Collaboration is key; you will work closely with medical providers, multidisciplinary team members, and community resource providers to meet treatment goals. A significant portion of your time will be dedicated to facilitating life skills development, including activities of daily living, interpersonal coping, socialization, and community functioning. You will also serve as a mentor, offering resources on specific mental health conditions, teaching symptom monitoring and relapse prevention, and supporting medication management.

You will assist in developing comprehensive service plans that include recovery management, crisis management, and advanced directives. This involves coordinating necessary rehabilitative and medical services, assisting with housing stability, and supporting behavioral health consumers involved in the judicial system. You will also encourage the development of natural supports within the workplace, school, family, and community environments.

Crisis intervention is a core component of this role. You will assess, support, and intervene in crisis situations, facilitating the use of individual crisis management plans that recognize early signs of relapse. A goal is to identify alternatives to hospital emergency departments and inpatient services whenever possible. Throughout the process, you will maintain detailed documentation, coordinate service tracking, and ensure adherence to hospital and departmental policies regarding patient safety and environmental conditions.