MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education
MS in Mental Health, Mental Health Counseling or equivalent program plus two [2] years experience
License or Certification
1. California MFT Intern or ACSW registered with the California Board of Behavioral Services (BBS)
2. Valid California Driver’s License and automobile insurance

Experience
Above experience should be with children or adolescents (preferred) in residential or outpatient settings.

Abilities
1. Proficiency communicating in both Spanish and English (required)
2. Ability to work effectively with clients and caregivers from diverse cultural backgrounds
3. Availability by phone to assist in crisis intervention, and to provide support and assistance in problem resolution. Periodically provide after hours and weekend crisis call coverage for clinicians on team.
4. Ability to perform clear and concise documentation
5. Knowledge of community resources, especially related to the mental health, education, medical, and social services fields, is preferred

Specialized Skills
1. Ability to interact and communicate both verbally and in writing with seriously emotionally disturbed children or adolescents and their parents, foster parents, caregivers, schools, other staff, physicians, county agencies, other health care and social services providers and the public.
2. Ability to provide effective individual or family rehabilitation and case management services
3. Demonstrated understanding of psychiatric illnesses and mental health intervention procedures, including comprehensive knowledge of co-occurring, substance abuse disorders
4. Demonstrated leadership, organization and management skills.
5. Demonstrated ability to visually and audibly evaluate the behavior and needs of potential admissions to the program.

Job Description:
JOB SUMMARY
This position has primary responsibility for mental health and case management services for adolescents and their families. The mental health specialist provides mental health services, including assessment and evaluation, to clients referred to the Community Services program. He or she acts as a liaison with external agencies and functions on teams with other clinical & support staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Work with referred adolescents, 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.
2. 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 adolescent’s adjustment in daily living routines.
3. Assist in preparing adolescents for lasting and successful housing, vocational, educational and treatment experiences. Services include a “whatever it takes” approach, and include counseling, shadowing, training, modeling and other interventions deemed necessary.
4. Maintain ongoing relationships with other county agencies, health care facilities, placement centers and other resources necessary to affect the continuum of care for adolescents in the community.
5. Ability to perform accurate mental health evaluations.