Edison Clinic Therapist (Psychiatric Social Worker I/II) - Spanish Speaking Required (20621874)

San Mateo County Health is seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Edison Clinic Therapist (Psychiatric Social Worker I/II).

Under general supervision, the Clinic Therapist will work approximately 40 hours per week, providing a wide variety of therapeutic services and, if time permits, up to 10 hours of social work case management services. Responsibilities include screening, assessment, evaluation, and psychotherapy, with a focus when appropriate on harm reduction therapeutic interventions and support services for clients in need of, or currently receiving, substance abuse therapy and treatment.

Additional duties include developing and implementing activities related to substance abuse prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation, as well as performing other related work. The position also involves providing social work services to non-therapy clients in support of other on-staff social work case managers.

The Position
The position will be embedded at the Public Health, Policy and Planning Edison Clinic at the San Mateo Medical Center, and possibly one morning per week at the Fair Oaks Health Center, with clinic hours Monday through Friday. 

This position will engage individuals with a range of mental health and substance use disorders to provide a range of services and supports, including but not limited to, diagnosis of issues to be focus of clinical attention, including substance use and other behavioral health needs; screening/assessing clients' needs using assessment criteria to determine medical necessity and identification of key clinical interventions; determination of stage of change; and engaging clients by using Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction practices.

The provider will provide therapy for primary case load, and as a backup also provide case management services, including transportation, client advocacy, client-driven treatment planning, and care coordination with other care providers; navigation of medical and mental health services, including medication assisted treatments; assisting clients with enrolling into benefits, including health coverage for which they are eligible; participate in a multidisciplinary team; use clinical consultation care coordination meetings; and partner with key referral sources and other service providers including but not limited to, San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) Emergency Department (ED), Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES), and Primary Care and Specialty Clinics, BHRS clinics and programs, Substance Use Disorder treatment providers, including Palm Avenue Detox, shelters, Probation, and Correctional Health.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have significant knowledge, skills, experience, and training in providing therapy as well as case management; assessing and evaluating adult clients with mental health and substance use issues; determining appropriate referrals and recommending treatment plans; documenting in electronic medical records; establishing appropriate clinical relationships; and demonstrating strong understanding of confidentiality and ethics.

Three years of experience in clinical social work, psychotherapy, or a related field, particularly with diverse populations affected by mental health and substance use issues is highly desirable.

Additionally, the successful candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Experience and Background:

• Experience working with adults with co-occurring behavioral health and medical conditions, in emergency services, the criminal justice system, or with adult populations relevant to the position is beneficial.
• Ability to work independently while demonstrating strong collaboration skills with multiple partner agencies is essential.

Knowledge Areas:

• Principles, philosophy, practices, materials, trends, and literature related to:

• Alcohol and other drug disorders

• Mental and emotional illness
• Personality disorders and associated challenges

• Various models of addiction, with a specific focus on harm reduction therapy and interventions
• Individual, group, and community behaviors
• Prevention methods and treatment procedures for alcohol and drug disorders
• Social aspects of drug, alcohol, mental, and emotional issues
• Techniques and dynamics of both group and individual counseling

Systems and Services Knowledge:

• Scope and activities of internal and external health and human services systems
• HIV care systems in San Mateo County
• Procedures for accessing a wide variety of community and governmental services and resources

Technical and Interpersonal Skills:

• Techniques and dynamics of assessment and engagement
• Understanding of social and psychological needs, behavioral patterns, and treatment options for individuals affected by substance use
• Interviewing techniques, including maintaining confidentiality
• Problem-solving methodologies and motivational interviewing techniques
• Counseling principles, including group facilitation
• Case management processes
• Strategies and resources available for effective client referral

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• 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.
• 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.

Skill/Ability to:

• Provide 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.
• Work collectively within a multi-disciplinary team.

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: Master's degree in Social Work, Social Welfare or a closely related field.

Licensure/Certification:

• Psychiatric Social Worker I: Registration with the Board of Behavioral Examiners as an intern.   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.
• Psychiatric Social Worker II:  Current California license as a Clinical Social Worker.

Special Requirements:  

• Individuals in this classification assigned to an on-site school program are required to meet any specialized requirements (i.e., Pupil Personnel Services credential) as stipulated by federal and state laws and regulations.
• Individuals assigned to Canyon Oaks Youth Center, must have the ability to complete 40 hours of mandated training annually.

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.

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%) which may include a performance exam. 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 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. If 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.
 
Tentative Recruitment Schedule
Application Deadline: Continuous