JOB SUMMARY:  This position has primary responsibility for mental health services and case management services to children, adolescents, adults, and their families. The Mental Health Specialist provides mental health services (including assessment and evaluation as assigned) and other services to clients referred to the Community Services Program. Services include but are not limited to individual, family, and collateral therapy, treatment planning, etc. He/she acts as liaison with external agencies and functions on teams with other clinical & support staff. S/he documents and bills for mental health and case management services, and completes outcomes information. May be requested to obtain additional certifications as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

MHSII Master’s degree in a mental health field with BBS Registered intern number

MHSIII Master’s Degree in the mental health field with BBS License

Experience

Two years’ experience in a mental health field with age group(s) to be served by the position in residential or outpatient settings preferred.

License or Certification

MHSII – BBS MFT intern registration or BBS ASW associate registration or LPCI registration & Valid California Driver’s License

MHSIII – MFCC or LCSW or LPCC license in California

Valid California Driver’s License.

May be requested to obtain an LPS Certification to put in effect a 5150 hold.

This position may be requested to obtain additional certifications, as necessary, including for evidenced-based practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Interviews referred clients and significant others to assesses and evaluate their appropriateness and need for services.

2. Works with referred clients, their families, representatives of referring agencies, and other relevant parties (in-house and external) to promote rehabilitation and amelioration of problems that interfere with productive social and emotional daily living.

3. Demonstrated understanding/basic knowledge of psychiatric illness and mental health interventions, including a general understanding of co-occurring substance abuse disorders.

4. Ability to perform accurate mental health evaluations; Ability to provide effective individual mental health rehabilitation and case management services; Ability to perform accurate basic dual diagnosis evaluations and make appropriate referrals for dual diagnosis consults and treatment.

5. Acts as liaison with various external agencies (such as Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Mental Health, Probation Department, Dependency Court, and police) to facilitate clients’ adjustment in daily living routines.

6. Assists in preparing clients for lasting and successful housing, vocational, educational, and treatment experiences.

7. Services include a “whatever it takes” approach and include counseling, shadowing, training, modeling, and other interventions deemed necessary.

8. Availability by phone to assist in crisis intervention and provide support and assistance in problem resolution during scheduled and non-scheduled, after hours and weekends for assigned and team clients

9. Provides assessment and support services on an outpatient basis including mental health services, treatment planning, and case management, and case management brokerage services as outlined in the care and treatment plan.

10. Ability to coordinate client discharges in a clinically and administratively appropriate manner, in accordance with agency protocols.

11. Ability to accurately and concisely document client billing and clinical progress notes, treatments plan in EMR while adhering to governing agencies’ requirements. Governing agencies include but are not limited to, LACDMH, LBUSD, Probation department, SBHG, TJC.

12. May be requested to obtain an LPS Certification to put in effect a 5150 hold. This would include responding to field-based emergencies as needed.

13. Actively participates in the agency’s and SBHG’s Total Quality Management and Continuous Quality Improvement systems which support compliance with Joint Commission and other accreditation standards as applicable.

14. Participates in TQM activities as requested including CQI subcommittees, probes, peer review, audit, and/or tracer activities.

We offer:

• MFTI and ACSW’s receive supervision for BBS hours
• Competitive compensation
• Company paid benefits package including medical, dental and vision and many other voluntary benefits
• Rewarding work environment with excellent opportunities for career growth
• Excellent work/life balance including generous vacation and holiday pay
• Meaningful relationships with your co-workers and the individuals we serve
• Family-oriented environment
• On the job training including paid CEU opportunities and career development
• Flexible work schedule and environment
• Mileage reimbursement
• DailyPay