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$2500 Sign-on Bonus eligible!

Intermittent Teleworking Schedule available!!

The position description:

Tri-City Mental Health Authority is looking for to fill one vacancy for the Behavioral Health Specialist (BHS) for the Adult Full Service Partnership (FSP) Department. The BHS 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 is responsible for a variety of ongoing responsibilities including, but not limited to:

• 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 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.
   
• 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.

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.

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