Mental Health Specialist (MHSSA)

POSITION SUMMARY:

South Coast Community Services takes pride in providing our staff with competitive compensation, opportunities for professional growth, access to diverse client populations, clinical autonomy, and a strong support system of seasoned employees. The Mental Health Specialist (MHS) provides rehabilitation and case management services as identified by the client’s needs at assessment. The MHS is a supplementary service to the therapeutic goals that have been established with their clinician. The MHS may assist the client with socialization, practicing coping skills, grounding techniques, or other skills determined in the treatment plan. 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience

TIER I: Thirty semester (45 quarter) units of completed college coursework in behavioral or social science.

Option 2: Sixty semester (90 quarter) units of completed college coursework, which includes 15 semester (23 quarter) units in behavioral science. Psych Tech courses and Alcohol and Drug Certification courses are acceptable. 

AND 

Option 1: One year of experience providing mental health services, including interviewing and referring clients and performing crisis intervention.

Option 2: Three years of experience in a behavioral health department, which involved direct client contact.

TIER II: Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral sciences AND six months of experience providing mental health services, including interviewing and referring clients and performing crisis intervention OR completion of a paid, formal internship in the Department of Behavioral Health’s Social Work Intern Program with the County of San Bernardino.

TIER III: Bachelor's Degree AND 2 years experience as a Mental Health Specialist or equivalent. 

TIER IV: Bachelor's Degree AND 4 years experience as a Mental Health Specialist or equivalent. 

Bilingual Spanish strongly preferred.

Licensure, Registration, Certification

1. Valid CA driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.
2. Completion of CPR/First Aid/ProACT certification within the first thirty (30) days of employment.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide services that restore, maintain, or teach the client new skills that will help improve or replace problematic behaviors.  
• Work with the clients on the identification and implementation of resources.
• Facilitate opportunities for clients to learn relevant skills as identified in their treatment plan.  
• Model and role play scenarios for client to practice learned skills and reduce functional impairments.  
• Ensure sensitivity to culture, values and beliefs, and operate from a trauma-informed, strength-based perspective.
• Maintain proficient and accurate documentation adhering to all program and contract standards.
• Coordinate with the assigned clinician to prioritize the client’s greatest needs. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Microsoft Outlook and able to navigate EHR systems. 
• Ability to set and maintain appropriate boundaries. 
• Ability to remain organized and manage multiple tasks at once. 
• Able to establish and maintain appropriate rapport with clients. 
• Knowledge of local community resources. 
• Ability to work effectively with a multidisciplinary team. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to drive a motor vehicle without restrictions, often in heavy traffic and frequently long distances (one hour or more) to ensure safe transport to client settings and to safely transport clients to appointments as needed.
• Senses of vision, hearing and smell sufficient to regularly operate a motor vehicle, to visualize threats in the environment or risks to clients, and to operate safely in the field.
• Required to occasionally lift and carry 10-20 pounds.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, climb stairs (1 or more flights) and walk while in route to and during family visits.
• Regularly required to sit and use computer in office settings.

Management reserves the right to add, change, delete or rescind duties or responsibilities of positions within the job classification at any time.