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Want to have a career that contributes to the health and wellness of the community by providing access to mental health treatment?  

San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services has career opportunities for Psychiatric Social Workers or Marriage and Family Therapists seeking to serve immigrants, first and second generation Latinx youth and adults, migrant farmworkers, rural working class, and other underserved clients facing the largest barriers to services and support every day. 

Currently we have one full time regular position on the outpatient School Based Mental Health Team at Coastside, Half Moon Bay (may occasionally be needed in San Mateo) that is bilingual Spanish required. The position entails working with Special Education students providing intensive individual therapy, family therapy, crisis intervention, and case management.

What we offer: 

• We offer a relaxed intimate and supportive multicultural team environment 
• Opportunity to work in a community, with close partnerships with community service agencies; 
• Diverse, and rich experiences in working with youth and adults seeking mental health treatment, in outpatient settings; 
• Participation in health equity initiatives to address race disparities; 
• Opportunities to work with LGBTQ population; 
• Licensed clinical supervision; 
• Opportunities for both bilingual Spanish and English clinicians, as well as non-bilingual Spanish clinicians; 
• Excellent training opportunities towards licensure, Tuition Reimbursement, Education Leave and a Wellness Program, among others; 
• Flexible schedules, hybrid telework; 
• Mileage reimbursement and County cars available; 
• Competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits and pension plan for regular employees 
• Participation in student loan repayment programs 
• $15,000 hiring bonus in 3 phases

What we are seeking 

The ideal candidate will possess: 

• Solid clinical treatment, assessment, diagnostic and evaluation skills. 
• Experience/interest in providing treatment to youth (individual therapy, family therapy, and case management). 
• Experience/interest in working with youth with emotional disturbances and with varying degrees of functional impairment and psychiatric presentations.
• Knowledge of Special Education and Individualized Education Plans
• Experience/interest in risk assessments, crisis assessments, and triage.
• Knowledge of principles, techniques and trends in counseling, psychotherapy, clinical case management, crisis management as well as evidence-based practices. 
• Demonstrated ability or interest in working with a broad range of clients from diverse cultures, and backgrounds, and an ability to provide culturally appropriate clinical services. 
• Experience/interest in working in rural communities and/or migrant and seasonal farm working population. 

• Experience/interest in working collaboratively with primary care, psychiatry, and school districts. 
• Experience/interest in generating community referrals and helping clients to connect with those community resources. 
• Comprehensive and timely documentation skills: assessments, progress notes, client care plans, discharge plans, etc. 
• The ability to make sound decisions based on the exercise of judgment and the consideration of all available information. 

Minimum qualifications include: 

Licensure/Certification:

• Psychiatric Social Worker I: Registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Clinical Social Worker.  If an individual is not registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Clinical Social Worker at the time of hire, they must have submitted the application, and must obtain and provide the registration number within 90 days of hire.  An individual hired in this classification must become licensed within six years from the date of employment as a Clinical Social Worker issued by the State of California within three years of appointment.
• Psychiatric Social Worker II:  Current California license as a Clinical Social Worker.

• Marriage and Family Therapist I:  Registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. If an individual is not registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at the time of hire, they must have submitted the application, and must obtain and provide the registration number within 90 days of hire.  An individual hired in this classification must become licensed within six years from the date of employment as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California.
• Marriage and Family Therapist II: Current California license as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

SALARY 
Psychiatric Social Worker I/Marriage & Family Therapist I: 
 $7,928.27 - $9,911.20 Monthly
 $95,139.20 - $118,934.40 Annually
Psychiatric Social Worker /Marriage & Family Therapist II: 

$8,914.53 - $11,148.80 Monthly
 $106,974.40 - $133,785.60 Annually

To apply please visit copy and paste this link into your web browser: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanmateo/jobs/4549175/psychiatric-social-worker-marriage-family-therapist-i-ii-open-and-promotional

*When applying please select preference for School Based Mental Health Program** 

Applications are only accepted online. 

San Mateo County Health's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services division has six vacancies for Psychiatric Social Worker/Marriage & Family Therapist I/II in its Youth Services Center Unit. These vacancies are located in Coastside and San Mateo.

Please view the online brochure for a detailed description of this position: http://tinyurl.com/ybd4d7un

San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS), Child and Youth Services https://www.smchealth.org/bhrs, provides a broad spectrum of Trauma Informed mental health and substance use services for children, youth, and families focusing on prevention, early intervention, and treatment of youth diagnosed as Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) and/or substance use disorders. We provide services through specialty teams, outpatient clinics, in schools, and field-based teams in Daly City, San Mateo, Half Moon Bay, Redwood City and East Palo Alto.

BHRS also provides services through a network of community agencies and independent providers who offer outpatient and wraparound services. BHRS supports treatment of the whole person to achieve wellness and recovery and to promote the health and well-being of the people, families, and communities we serve.

Additionally for Residential Youth Treatment at Canyon Oaks Youth Center, Community Care Licensing requires providers working in this facility to maintain 40 hours of annual training related to the field, most of which are provided by the facility. Clinicians will also need to be trained in Professional Assault Crisis Training model (Pro-Act) upon hire.

Benefits & Perks

Exciting news! Candidates have the opportunity to receive a sign-on bonus of up to $15,000. The sign-on bonus will be in 3 phases and will be prorated for part-time positions. Restrictions Apply. Please see link for details. https://jobs.smcgov.org/hiring-incentives/

The County offers an excellent benefits package that is available to spouses, domestic partners, and other dependents. Visit https://www.smcgov.org/hr/employee-benefits to learn more about our employee benefits.

How to Apply

To apply for this exciting career opportunity, the following materials must be electronically submitted online at https://jobs.smcgov.org:

• Employment Application Form
• Responses to the supplemental questions

For any recruitment related questions please contact Ramla Javed at rjaved@smcgov.org.

San Mateo County Health's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division (BHRS) is seeking a well-qualified individual for the position of Occupational Therapist II - Therapeutic Day Schools.

The mental health Occupational Therapy within the Therapeutic Day Schools (TDS) program assists youth in acquiring skills needed to function in their life roles of student and worker. As the students in the TDS program progress toward graduation they are then linked with the Department of Rehabilitation for assessment and counseling for future placement. The Occupational Therapist also provides treatment through the use of arts and crafts activities. The focus of this "activity" based treatment is the development of pre-vocational skills: pro-social and task skills.

Occupation Therapy services in the TDS unit are provided in two general areas: direct and indirect services. These services function to prepare the young person for the roles of a student, performance of age-appropriate daily living behaviors and ultimately the transition to worker, college student, or vocational training.

The Occupational Therapy program addresses: independent living skills, pre-vocational skills, socialization skills, recreation and leisure activities, and transition activities as outlined in the students Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

The Therapeutic Day School unit is comprised of two separate school programs serving high school aged special education students in the Jefferson High School District, and South San Francisco Unified School District. Each TDS program is a collaboration between that designated high school district. TDS students are certified special education students who have been evaluated and determined in need of intensive mental health services in order to benefit from their education. The core staff is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team including both mental health and educational staff. The TDS program works in close collaboration with outside service providers such as probation, social services, education, Wrap- Around service providers and other mental health contract agencies.

The Therapeutic Day School BHRS Staff include a Clinical Services Manager (1), Supervising Mental Health Clinician (1), Psychiatric Social Workers / Marriage and Family Therapists (2), Creative Arts Therapist (1), Occupational Therapist (1), Psychiatrist (1) and Medical Office Assistant (1). District special education staff include the Special Education Director (1), Program Specialist (1), Special Education Teacher (1 or 2), and Teaching Associates (1 or 2).

The ideal candidates will have:

• Experience working with adolescents in a mental health setting
• Experience working on a multidisciplinary team
• Experience working with special education students and participating in the IEP process
• Familiarity with normal adolescent development
• Familiarity with psychiatric disorders as defined in the DSM V manual
• Ability to provide treatment to youth who have co-occurring substance use issues
• Ability to structure and effectively run activity-based groups with teenagers

Responsibilities will include:

• Assessment and development of a treatment plan that links to the BHRS client treatment plan.
• Coordinating and implementing the TDS program's Occupational Therapy program, including group treatment, individual treatment, linkage to various agencies, and consultation to staff and families.
• Continual evaluation of youth capacities and deficits, and the students' response to treatment including the measurement of change and development.
• Conduct assessments, share findings and make appropriate recommendations.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the multi-disciplinary team which includes special education staff and mental health staff in order to provide comprehensive treatment to youth in the TDS program.
• Participate in milieu therapy and enforce the behavior management system.
• Provide consultation and support to families and staff as needed.
• Provide education and training to staff as needed.
• Liaison with community agencies to assess, implement or coordinate services.
• Work closely with district vocational support staff to assist students in transitioning to the role of worker.
• Participate in Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings by completing and monitoring progress of the Individualized Transition Plan (ITP).

Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Occupational Therapist II: One year of supervised experience in occupational therapy.

 Licensure/Certification: 

• Eligibility for or registration as an Occupational Therapist by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Failure to obtain this licensure within twelve months of employment may result in termination.
• Possession of a Certificate of completion for a course in Basic Life Support as approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association; or must be obtained within six months of appointment.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

Final Filing Date: January 9, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. PST

Application Screening: January 14, 2025

Combined Panel/Departmental Interviews: January 24, 2025

Supervising Mental Health Clinicians supervise and coordinate the professional work of mental health professionals, paraprofessionals and interns in San Mateo County and participate in program planning, administration, and evaluation; and provide specialized psychiatric casework counseling and therapeutic services to adults and youth in the field. The current vacancy is in Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Crisis and Outreach Team including the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT), the Crisis Response Team (CRT), Healthcare for the Homeless (HCH), and Homeless Engagement Assessment Linkage (HEAL) team.

Supervising Mental Health Clinicians are members of the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Leadership Team and work with collaborative partners on system wide initiatives focused on improving services and service delivery. This position reports directly to a Clinical Services Manager.

Services provided include supervising mental health clinicians working in tandem with city law enforcement for behavioral health crises and/or homeless outreach mental health programs throughout the county, supervising the program specialist for the Crisis and Outreach Team, and conducting trainings and presentations for various partner agencies and the community.

The teams include psychiatrist, social workers, marriage and family therapists, SUD case manager, mental health counselor, and community workers who are consumers or family members. The clinical teams may also work with clinical interns.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Knowledge of system of care principles.
• Knowledge of program management techniques and practices.
• Knowledge of crisis de-escalation, crisis evaluation, 5150-hold application, and community crisis response.
• Knowledge of crisis continuum of care.
• Strong supervisory/leadership skills, which demonstrate an ability to direct and motivate a multi-disciplinary team some of whom will be mobile and in disparate parts of the County.
• The ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with consumers, families, professionals, law enforcement, Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES), homeless services providers, and the public; including close collaboration with and engagement of community partners to plan for, implement and coordinate needed services.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on the exercise of judgment and the consideration of all available information often with very little time during active crises.
• Demonstrated expertise and skill in clinical work with adults and youth with serious mental illnesses who may also have had contact with law enforcement and psychiatric emergency services.
• Knowledge of evidence based clinical practice modalities, e.g. motivational interviewing, solution focused brief treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, wellness and recovery principles, and trauma informed care, for examples.
• Knowledge of Medi-Cal and Medicare regulations and managed mental health care.
• Strong knowledge of Avatar, EPIC and other tools or databases used by BHRS for information and charting.
• Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic and evaluation skills.
• Experience working with clients of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Inpatient and outpatient clinical experience.
• Experience working with clients on the streets and in shelters.
• Collaborative experience or knowledge of the Criminal Justice system.

As the Supervising Mental Health Clinician, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Consulting with clinicians in the field to determine appropriate courses of action during active crises that may involve law enforcement.
• Tracking data for established and pilot programs and reporting these statistics to leadership.
• Facilitating regular meetings with clinicians and system partners collaborating with the Crisis and Outreach Team.
• Providing ongoing clinical training for field clinicians and law enforcement, including the Quarterly Crisis Intervention Training (CIT).
• Responding to active crisis scenes when required.
• Addressing and supporting requests for the deployment of the BHRS Crisis Response Team (CRT).
• Overseeing the daily operations of programs under the Crisis and Outreach umbrella.
• Performing all other duties or projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Licensure/Certification : Possession of a California license in at least one of the following: Clinical Psychology, Clinical Social Worker, or Marriage and Family Therapist.

Education and Experience: 

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.

• A typical way to qualify is a Master's degree in a mental health specialty, such as social work or clinical counseling and two years of professional post-graduate experience in a mental health setting.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE:

Application Deadline: Continuous until filled.

Final Filing Date: Open Until Filled-Apply Immediately 

Interviews: TBD

Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completing a City application.

DEFINITION
Crisis Response Clinician I: Under direct supervision of the Crisis Response Supervisor, provides field and office based professional behavioral health counseling, psychoeducation, outreach and engagement, case management, consultation, and quality assurance review of assigned cases; and performs related other work as required or assigned.

Crisis Response Clinician II: Under general supervision of the Crisis Response Supervisor, provides field and office based professional behavioral health counseling, psychoeducation, outreach and engagement, case management, consultation, and quality assurance review of assigned cases; and performs related other work as required or assigned. This is a full journey level position within the Crisis Response Clinician series and is distinguished from the Crisis Response Clinician I by the performance of the full range of duties with only occasional instruction or assistance.

Under the flexible staffing concept, Crisis Response Clinician II positions that become vacant may reasonably be filled at the Crisis Response Clinician I level for training purposes.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Perform initial diagnostic evaluation during a crisis noting behavioral symptoms which may indicate mental health disorders in children, youth, or adults; determine whether individuals meet the criteria for a W&I 5150 and follow appropriate procedure; determine other resources to connect individuals to who do not meet criteria for 5150; work closely with different law enforcement communities; participate in monthly San Mateo County Field Crisis Consultation Committee (FCCC) as needed; establish and maintain effective relationships with contractors and community organizations and other governmental agencies regarding programs and services; participate in committees, meetings and conferences; provide guidance regarding appropriate social-psychological practices and services. perform suicidal/homicidal/Grave Disability risk assessments; conduct home visits and/or field-based services; provide crisis Intervention as needed; provide outreach counseling and refer clients to appropriate behavioral health resources; collect and evaluate medical or psychosocial data such as case histories, behavior patterns and family relationships of patients/clients; follow up with individuals where appropriate who are reluctant to engage with resources; work as a psychiatric team member with other treatment disciplines; utilize Trauma Informed Care and other evidence-based practices; provide consultation and education services; compile and prepare reports and documentation on clinical activities; maintain records; prepares periodic reports; ability to work weekends and perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of: Office machines and specialized software applications; current philosophy, principles, and practices for services to clients with serious mental illness; individual, group and family psychodynamics as they relate to adults or children in crisis; psychological diagnostic methods and terminology; personality development from infancy through adulthood; human and health services systems in the County including private agencies and other community resources; applicable local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules.

Ability to: Provide crisis intervention treatment to adults, children or adolescents with various mental disabilities ranging from serious mental illness to dysfunctional behavior patterns, including victims of sexual or physical abuse; set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment; evaluate the degree of mental disability or emotional distress of patients/clients; communicate effectively orally and in writing; provide consultation and technical assistance to agencies, schools and other organizations; operate modern office equipment including specialized software applications programs; interacts positively and cooperate with co-workers, responds politely to customers, works as a team member, functions under demanding time pressure, responds in a positive manner to supervision, attends work and perform duties on a regular and consistent basis.

Education: Master's degree from accredited college or university in Social Work, Social Welfare, Psychology, or a closely related field.

Experience:
Crisis Response Clinician I: One (1) year of experience working in the social work or counseling field with strong emphasis on social services, crisis response, severe mental illness, resources, and referrals using a collaborative and community framework.
Crisis Response Clinician II: Two (2) years of experience working in the social work or counseling field with strong emphasis on social services, crisis response, severe mental illness, resources, and referrals using a collaborative and community framework.

License:
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License.
Crisis Response Clinician I: Registered with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an APCC, AMFT or ACSW. A current license with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences, as either a LCSW, LMFT, LPCC or licensed Clinical Psychologist desirable.

Crisis Response Clinician II: A current license with the State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences as either a LCSW, LMFT, LPCC or licensed Clinical Psychologist required.

$2500 Sign-on Bonus eligible!

Intermittent Teleworking Schedule available!!

Tri-City Mental Health Authority is looking for a Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) who will provide a variety of rehabilitative support services to clients. This position will be a part of a 3 year- federally funded MHSSA Grant Team set to end in December 2026. Candidates must be able to facilitate the following: behavior modification, skill building, and self-care and safety in individual and/or group settings; demonstrates and coaches clients to promote and reinforce the use of effective coping strategies and techniques based on individual needs and treatment plans; performs outreach and provides linkages and referrals to a variety of behavioral health, community, and social services, resources, and systems of care; encourages full client engagement in services to promote wellness and recovery; and performs related duties as assigned. The BHS will report to Clinical Supervisor I.

This position is responsible for a variety of ongoing responsibilities including, but not limited to:

• Provides individual, group, family, and collateral rehabilitative support services to facilitate behavior modification including skill building, needs assessment, self-care/safety, and coping strategies and techniques; may provide case management services in the office and in the field.

• Develops, monitors, and evaluates client rehabilitative and case management goals and increases/decreases in targeted behavior according to client needs; monitors goal progress/regression.

• Provides linkages, resources, and referrals to address basic needs and other barriers to wellness and recovery including food, housing, clothing, transportation, and other financial resources.

• Encourages and supports clients to fully engage in services; provides outreach and assists clients in addressing and overcoming barriers to treatment.

• Plans and facilitates and/or co-facilitates group sessions for clients and community members focused on skill building; tracks client attendance and follows-up with individual clients, as necessary.

• Provides advocacy for clients to ensure inclusion in all aspects of the community including socialization, employment, education, and housing to meet client needs.

•  Participates as a member of multidisciplinary treatment teams; addresses client goals, barriers, progress, and other relevant information to enhance treatment services; assists and supports clients in maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with treatment teams.

• Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, trainings, utilization and peer review activities, and other functions involving supervision, case consultation and public information and education.

• Maintains accurate, detailed, and thorough documentation, case records, and notes of all billable and non-billable activities and services related to client care; completes necessary documentation for billing purposes.

•  Maintains client confidentiality in compliance with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) regulations.

•  Performs crisis intervention counseling within scope; assists professional staff in coordinating or arranging for the provision of appropriate care services.

• Performs a variety of office administrative and clerical duties in support of assigned program/function, as necessary.

•  Provides transportation to clients as necessary or as assigned.

• Observes and complies with all Authority and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

• Performs related duties as required.

Tri-City is looking for individuals to serve as a Psychiatric Technician I/II (Licensed) on a full-time basis for the MCCP. The MCCP Psychiatric Technician will be part of a team that provides crisis intervention and stabilization, linkage and referral, consultation, and education within the scope of practice. The MCCP Psychiatric Technician will report to the Mobile Crisis Care Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Program Manager.

Tri-City’s MCCP operates 24/7 to provide crucial support in mobile crises. As such, the schedule will involve a 3/12 shift pattern, consisting of three twelve-hour days per workweek and one alternating eight-hour day every other week. Shifts may include evenings, weekends, daytime hours, and holidays.

The specific shift and schedule will be determined by the supervisor; however, the first one to two months of training will follow a 5-day-per-week, 40-hour-per-week schedule

Examples of shifts are included below:

• Day Shifts: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, or 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Night Shifts: 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM, 7:00 PM - 3:00 AM, 8:00 PM - 8:00 AM, or 8:00 PM - 4:00 AM

Shift Rotation

• Please note that shifts may be rotated every six months to ensure a fair distribution of day and night shifts across the team. This rotation allows team members to gain experience in various shifts and provides opportunities for a balanced work schedule over time.

Availability

• As our Mobile Crisis Care team provides critical support during community crises, it’s essential that members can respond promptly. To ensure timely response, team members must reside within a 30-minute commute to the Authority in heavy traffic. If selected, candidates who do not currently meet this requirement will be expected to relocate within four weeks of accepting the position.

This position is responsible for a variety of ongoing responsibilities, including, but are not limited to, the following:

Positions at the Psychiatric Technician I level may perform some of these duties and responsibilities in a learning capacity.

• Under the direction of clinical staff, provides medication management services to a caseload of clients in the office and in the field; ensures the proper acquisition and administration of medication.
• Provides education and training to clients, their families, and/or staff on the proper care and use of medications, including symptoms of, reactions to, or side effects of, specific medications; informs clients of the impact of abuse and/or misuse of medications.
• Conducts home/field visits to evaluate client’s physical environment and behavior such as anxiety, withdrawals, and behavioral health progression/regression.
• Takes and records measures of clients’ vital signs, physical condition, and behaviors; assists and observes clients self-dispense medication as prescribed by a psychiatrist and administers scheduled injections.
• Conducts medication checks on clients to assess their overall medication management capabilities; takes appropriate action if client poses danger with respect to the use or abuse of medication; observes, evaluates, records, and reports to professional staff changes in client’s condition.
• Motivates clients to develop self-reliance in daily living; encourages clients to participate in group and/or individual therapy/program activities.

$2500 Sign-on Bonus!

Intermittent Teleworking Schedule Available!

Tri-City is now accepting applications for a Senior Behavioral Health Specialist position within our Adult Full Service Partnership (FSP) Program. This position will provide a variety of rehabilitative support services to clients to facilitate behavior modification, skill building, and self-care and safety in individual and/or group settings.  This position will report to the Clinical Supervisor.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide skilled assistance and training to other Behavioral Health Specialists in direct service organization, client care, and other Behavioral Health Specialist duties.
   
• Evaluate the needs of participants experiencing behavioral health challenges; plan, develop, and implement individual and group rehabilitation activities under the guidance of licensed professional staff; as assigned, be responsible for developing and implementing specific rehabilitation group activities.
   
• Participate in staff conferences with other disciplines to link clients with housing, providers,
  outside agencies, organizations, or departments as appropriate. Perform as client’s primary
  case manager.
   
• Perform crisis intervention counseling at a level not requiring licensure as a Behavioral health
  professional; and assist professional staff in planning the range of care needed to deal with
  participant’s care.
   
• Develop and determine appropriate referrals for the continuation of care.

$2500 Sign-on Bonus!

THE POSITION

Tri-City is looking for two individuals to fill the positions of Psychiatric Technician I/II whom will provide medication support services both in the field and at the office. This particular position is located within the Adult Outpatient Clinic and will report to the Medication Support Team Manager & the Medication Support Services Supervisor. The Psychiatric Technician I/II will appeal to individuals who are inspired by challenges and opportunities presented in working with an engaged and active community by providing all manner of adjunctive medication support services.

Psychiatric Technician I: This is the entry-level classification in the Psychiatric Technician series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine medication monitoring, administration, and support, while learning Authority policies and procedures. 

Psychiatric Technician II: This is the journey-level classification in the Psychiatric Technician series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Psychiatric Technician I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Under the direction of clinical staff, provides medication management services to a caseload of clients in the office and in the field; ensures the proper acquisition and administration of medication.
   
• Provides education and training to clients, their families, and/or staff on the proper care and use of medications, including symptoms of, reactions to, or side effects of, specific medications; informs clients of the impact of abuse and/or misuse of medications.
   
• Conducts home/field visits to evaluate client’s physical environment and behavior such as anxiety, withdrawals, and behavioral health progression/regression.
   
• Takes and records measures of clients’ vital signs, physical condition, and behaviors; assists and observes clients self-dispense medication as prescribed by a psychiatrist and administers scheduled injections.
   
• Conducts medication checks on clients to assess their overall medication management capabilities; takes appropriate action if client poses danger with respect to the use or abuse of medication; observes, evaluates, records, and reports to professional staff changes in client’s condition.
   
• Motivates clients to develop self-reliance in daily living; encourages clients to participate in group and/or individual therapy/program activities.

Description

Note: This recruitment schedule was amended on January 30, 2026, to extend the Final Filing Date.  This recruitment has been changed to "Continuous."

San Mateo County Health’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division (BHRS) is excited to launch a new and innovative role supporting individuals newly eligible for services under Senate Bill (SB) 43.  This position is part of a brand-new team created specifically to serve a historically underserved population, expanding access to care for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) and/or severe substance use disordered (SUD). 

This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape how SB43 is implemented locally, from building systems and partnerships to developing policies, procedures and outcome measures that will define success for this pilot program and beyond. 

The SB43 Program Specialist will work collaboratively with the Facilities Utilization Management, Collaborative Care teams and partners across San Mateo County Health, including Aging and Disability Services, San Mateo Medical Center and regional hospitals and licensed facilities. This position requires strong clinical judgement, systems thinking and the ability to build trust across disciplines and organizations.

There is currently one vacancy for this program.  The position is based in San Mateo, with travel throughout the county and greater Bay Area as needed.

About SB43

Senate Bill (SB) 43 expands the definition of Grave Disability, one of the criteria used to place individuals on involuntary holds. 

Under SB43:

• Severe substance use disorder is added as a qualifying condition.
• Inability to provide for personal safety or necessary medical care is included as a criterion.

• Individuals may be considered gravely disabled when a mental health disorder and/or severe substance use disorder prevents them from meeting basic survival needs, such as maintaining housing or adequate nutrition. 

This legislation enables earlier intervention and expanded pathways to care for individuals who previously fell outside the system, requiring counties to build new processes, partnerships and clinical approaches to serve this population effectively and compassionately. 

Key Responsibilities 

The SB43 Program Specialist may be responsible for, but not limited to, the following: 

Clinical Care & Coordination

• Conduct regular visits to in-county and out-of-county (OOC) facilities to review cases and assess appropriate Level of Care (LOC)
• Meet with facility staff and clients to support engagement, transitions and treatment planning
• Participate in treatment reviews and provide clinical recommendations, including individualized behavior plans
• Initiate and coordinate case conferences for high-utilizing clients complex needs

Serve as a clinical resource related to substance use disorder and severe mental illness 

Systems Building and Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with hospitals, licensed facilities and contracted providers within and outside San Mateo County
• Act as primary liaison between BHRS, San Mateo Medical Center, Aging and Disability Services and partner hospitals
• with the SMMC, BHRS and AAS to facilitate and coordinate appropriate level of care and placement
• Participate regularly in multidisciplinary team meetings, hospital coordination meetings and SB43 meetings
• Facilitate planning groups to address SB43 implementation priorities and emerging system needs

Program Development and Oversight

• Contribute to the development, refinement and implementation of SB43 policies and procedures
• Identify Service gaps, system challenges and operational shortfalls, and support solutions in collaboration with partners

• Assist with monitoring and consulting with in-county and OOC contract providers
• Train facilities on new SB43 placement criteria and compliance requirements
• Develop, update and maintain an electronic facility database to support data tracking and outcomes analysis

Leadership and Support

• Participating in required leadership meetings
• Providing coverage and support for other supervisors as needed
• Provide clinical supervision and training to interdisciplinary staff as needed
• Apply basic knowledge of Listen, Empathize, Agree, and Partner (LEAP) Methodology and other engagement strategies to support client-centered care

The ideal candidate will bring:

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, adaptable, and systems-oriented professional who is motivated by the opportunity to help build and shape a new program from the ground up. They bring strong clinical judgment, comfort navigating complexity, and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for individuals who have historically been underserved.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Familiarity with clients with complex needs, including individuals experiencing homelessness, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and high utilization of services within San Mateo County’s system of care
• Ability to organize, lead, and facilitate complex case conferences and interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings, bringing together multiple providers and stakeholders to coordinate care for high-utilizing clients
• Strong clinical skills related to both severe mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders (SUD), with the ability to assess readiness for transitions in level of care
• Experience building and maintaining effective partnerships with hospitals, licensed facilities, and contracted providers
• A client-centered approach paired with a system-level perspective, balancing individual needs with program goals and regulatory requirements
• Flexibility, critical thinking, and creativity in navigating a new legal framework and evolving service model
• Comfort working in a pilot environment that requires innovation, data-informed decision-making, and continuous improvement

• Relevant post-licensure clinical experience (ideally two or more years) providing direct mental health services (desirable but not required)

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English is highly desirable.

This role is well suited for someone who thrives in dynamic settings, values collaboration, and is energized by contributing to meaningful systems change under a new legislative framework.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate assigned program activities with services provided by and responsibilities of the Division's Regional clinics, private service providers, schools, state institutions and other public or community agencies
• Establish and maintain program procedures which are consistent with Federal, State and local laws governing mental health services
• Monitor and consult with contract providers to ensure compliance with services requested by the County and help determine jointly beneficial solutions to problem areas
• Research and prepare grant proposals for specific mental health projects
• Consult with schools and other public agencies regarding the assigned program and provide the proper program supervision and liaison to the contractees
• Evaluate and integrate changes in legislation into the program procedures
• Provide clinical consultation to various agencies
• Evaluate employee performance of subordinates assigned to program
• Compile data and prepare program evaluations and other reports
• Perform related duties as assigned

Qualifications

Licensure/Certification: 

• California license as one of the following: 1) Clinical Social Worker; 2) Marriage and Family Therapist; or 3) Clinical Psychologist

• Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years of experience as a Mental Health professional.

• Principles, techniques and practices of program management and delivery
• Principles and practices of employee supervision and training
• Applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and County policies and guidelines
• Individual, group and family psychodynamics
• Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology
• Current principles and practices of psychiatric casework
• Human and health services systems in the County including private agencies and other community resources
• Various methods used in individual and group therapies such as role playing, play, art and milieu
• Methods and techniques used in mental health education

• Plan, assign, supervise, review and evaluate the work of interdisciplinary subordinates
• Train staff in work procedures and provide technical and programmatic assistance to staff and subcontractors
• Analyze, interpret and apply various regulations, requirements and/or clinical approaches
• Prepare grant proposals and written reports
• Set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment
• Evaluate patients/clients’ degree of mental disability or emotional distress
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally and make public presentations as needed
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy and regulatory guidelines

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted five days in advance on this job announcement.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in the County of San Mateo, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
 
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. f you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline
Final Filing Date: Continuous
Application Screening: TBD
Panel Interviews: TBD