Mental Health Program Manager

SUMMARY:            

 The Epilepsy Foundation Wellness Institute works to improve the quality of life of people living with epilepsy, and those who care for them. It supports an integral part of epilepsy self-management strategies consisting of non-medical approaches and behaviors that a person with epilepsy can use to promote emotional health and enhance their overall life success. The Institute emphasizes a holistic and strengths-based approach that includes the eight identified dimensions of wellness: Emotional Health, Sleep, Independent Living, Physical Activity, Education and Employment, Social Relationships, Stress Management, and Diet and Nutrition.

 The primary goals of the Wellness Institute are to:

1.     Raise awareness and educate audiences on all dimensions of wellness by providing them with science-based information

2.     Provide psychosocial support and follow up care to persons with epilepsy

3.     Identify professional and community resources at both the national and local level

4.     Raise the standard of care for those living with epilepsy by training and educating caretakers and professionals

5.     Promote research and innovative therapies

6.     Advocate for those with epilepsy

7.     Build a culture of wellness throughout the Epilepsy Foundation

8.     Form partnerships and collaborations with local organizations, federal, national and corporate partners.

 The primary responsibility of the Wellness Institute Mental Health Program Manager is to develop and promote emotional health and wellness components into all the Epilepsy Foundation’s programming, content and training and to work closely with other staff and local organizations to respond to callers in distress with immediate and follow-up services. This position will develop and coordinate the Foundation’s national volunteer peer support network, provide training on mental health topics for lay and professional audiences, and offer clinical consultation and technical support to Foundation staff in the national and local organizations.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

 Works closely with the Information and Referral Department to respond to those who contact the Foundation and seek assistance with complex personal/family problems or mental health distress.

Communicates information on epilepsy self-management and wellness, emotional and mental health, educational and workplace rights, and community resources, among others, in a compassionate, informed and effective manner.

 Works with the Helpline staff to administer a depression screening instrument that will identify callers in need of additional follow-up services. Provides support, crisis management and referrals, as needed.

 Serves as the coordinator of the Wellness Institute’s volunteer peer support network initiative to address quality of life challenges of persons with epilepsy at the local level. Works with staff from the Foundation’s local organizations to create a national model that includes a volunteer training curriculum, policies and standards of care, ongoing technical assistance, marketing and recruitment, and support of staff and volunteers. Collects program data, develops program materials, and works with the local organizations to pilot and expand this initiative.

 Offers clinical consultation and training, as needed, to the national staff and those in the Foundation’s 51 local organizations on emotional health, quality of life issues, and related mental health interventions.

 Works with Foundation staff on national events, such as the Pipeline Research Conference Community Day, the CDC Skill Building Institute, the Epilepsy Foundation’s National Walk for Epilepsy, among others. Moderates sessions and/or identifies speakers and assists with the planning and implementation of these events.

 Participates and assists in the development of webinars and other digital media to educate general and professional audiences. This includes identifying national experts in the field of epilepsy, emotional health and wellness, and working with national organizations, government partners, the Foundation’s local organizations and consumers.

 Works with the Foundation’s communications staff on Wellness Institute education and awareness activities. Contributes content for fact sheets, website content, micro-campaigns, toolkits, among others.

 Reports on trends, concerns, and latest research or industry changes related to the field of epilepsy self-management and wellness, as this impacts research or public policy.

 Assists with other duties as needed/assigned, such as representing the organization at community events, health fairs or similar events, and working on new initiatives such as outreach to underserved communities, to name a few.

 Gathers resource information to respond to public inquiries and works closely with the Health Information Resource Specialist to build the online resource directory.

 Maintains a record of all public inquiries using the iCarol database. Compiles monthly statistics and other data for dissemination and/or reports as requested.

 Education and Experience:

 Master’s degree in social work, mental health counseling or related field preferred.

 5-6 years’ experience providing mental health counseling to diverse populations. Knowledge of mental health issues, especially depression and anxiety, and chronic disability preferred.

 Experience developing and managing community-based mental health programs and/or managing national programs in not for profit service based organizations.

 Experience designing, implementing and evaluating direct service, volunteer, educational and/or training programs for consumers and professionals, including creating accompanying materials and program reports, and providing technical assistance to staff and/or volunteers desirable.

 Experience working with distressed clients seeking information or referral services and crisis response. Experience in customer service or call center environment helpful.

 Knowledge of epilepsy and seizures, disability self-management, and wellness desirable. Experience working with the epilepsy community is a plus.

 Experience writing for professional publications and presentation at meetings and conferences a plus.

  SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

 Ability to work with clients in distress and maintain a calm, compassionate and helpful manner that is responsive to their needs. Able to maintain appropriate professional and ethical boundaries.

 Excellent communication skills and the ability to listen with empathy. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

 Knowledge of or ability to learn about epilepsy and seizures, mental health needs of persons with epilepsy, wellness, epilepsy self-management, and disability issues in general.

 Knowledge of volunteer programs, education and training models and mental health programs for all ages, including their design and development, implementation and evaluation, desirable.

 Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers and providing clinical training helpful.

 Ability to gather health information data, research, statistics and census information to inform program planning.

 Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize work. Strong administrative and organizational skills with great attention to detail.

 Ability to understand, follow and receive oral and written instructions and feedback.

 Personal skills that include strong initiative, ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and capacity to work well with others. Knowledge of cultural competence and ability to work with diverse groups of people.

 Experience with modern business communication processes: Microsoft Office, webcast production and survey software, such as Survey Monkey, Abode Connect and GoToWebinar, preferred. Competence working with organizational databases and proficiency with data input.