Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist

Company: County of Sonoma
Location: Santa Rosa
Posted on: January 15, 2022

Job Description:

Position InformationGrow your career as a Behavioral Health Clinical Specialistwith the Department of Health Services (DHS)!Starting salary up to $103,729/YearPlus, a cash allowance of approximately $600/Month*and an additional $1.15/hour bilingual premium if applicable.Behavioral Health Clinical Specialists (Clinical Specialists) work in a variety of different programs, with a great degree of independent discretion and judgment, and are expected to use initiative to attain the program and clinical objectives that are established in collaboration with their supervisor. Typical responsibilities include providing oversight of clinical services, clinical supervision and training to staff, and direct services to individuals, youth and families receiving services through County programs, as needed. Clinical Specialists interface and collaborate with internal and community-based service providers, ensure compliance with rules and regulations, and attend and/or organize case conferences.These positions also provide direct services to youth and families when needed, such as when a Behavioral Health Clinician is out on sick or vacation leave or otherwise unavailable, or if there is a particularly complex case requiring the intervention of a supervisor.Additional responsibilities include:Reviewing staff's clinical documentation, providing feedback, and signing off on clinical assessmentsAssigning and managing daily workflow and assignments for the program and program staffActing as a liaison with contract agenciesFacilitating team meetings and meetings with contract partners at the Health Program Manager's directionConsulting with staff on crisis situationsProviding clinical supervision to staff pursuing hours for licensureRoughly a third of clients and/or families seen in these programs are Latinx and have family members who are monolingual Spanish speaking.DHS currently has openings in the following programs:Youth Access ProgramThe Youth Access Program serves as the County's "front door" for its Medi-Cal Mental Health Plan (MHP). The Youth Access Team assesses incoming referrals for eligibility for Specialty Mental Health Services through the Mental Health Plan, and provides resources and referrals as appropriate.Crisis Stabilization UnitOur Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)provides 24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week crisis intervention, assessment,medication, and up to 23 hours of supportive care for individuals in an acutemental health crisis. Services are available for children, youth, adults, andtheir families. Referrals are made to Crisis Residential Services or inpatientmental health facilities for those needing a higher level of psychiatricinpatient care.What You BringThe ideal candidates will:Possess experience working with youth and/or adults with serious mental health needs, and in performing clinical and crisis assessmentsHave experience providing services using the Recovery Model and/or other evidence based mental health treatment practicesBe highly organized and have the ability to work well in a fast paced environment with diverse individuals and groups including internal staff, clients and contracting agenciesBe committed to continual quality improvement, and have the ability to work independently as well as lead teamsBe familiar with the cultural considerations when providing mental health services to diverse communities such as LatinX and LGBTQIHave experience using Microsoft Office software, and be comfortable using, or learning to use, our electronic health record system - AvatarBilingual (English/Spanish) skill are desirable but not requiredNote: Certification in Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) and completion of the Board of Behavioral Sciences' approved course on providing clinical supervision are highly desirable.Please visit the Behavioral Health Division's website for more information on its programs and services.What Makes Sonoma County a Great ChoiceWorking at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunitiesCompetitive vacation and sick leave accruals, and 12 paid holidays per yearSignificant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan optionsCounty contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefitsRetirement fully integrated with Social SecurityEligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary rangeSalary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Engineers and Scientists of California Union Local 20 Memorandum of Understanding (ESC MOU).This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help vacancies as they occur during the active status of the list. County employees who wish to be considered for future vacancies should consider applying to this recruitment.APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Minimum QualificationsEducation and Experience: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include a Master's Degree or higher in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university; and two years of related experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, licensed Psychologist, OR a successor licensure recognized as equivalent by the State of California.Special Requirement: Possession of either a valid, current Licensed Clinical Social Worker license, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist license, OR Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license, issued by the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners, State of California; OR possession of a valid, current license as a Psychologist issued by the State of California, Board of Medical Quality Assurance, Psychology Examining Committee; OR possession of a successor licensure recognized as equivalent by the State of California.License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesConsiderable knowledge of: prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation techniques used in the identification and treatment of mental illness and emotional disorders; federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations associated with mental health treatment and education programs; the social, psychological, and physiological effects of mental disorders; principles, methods, and techniques used to develop formal and informal training programs associated with assigned specialty areas; methods and techniques used to develop community information and education programs; the scope and activities of community based agencies involved in the education and treatment of mental health, including wellness and recovery, and strength based approaches with clients and their families.Knowledge of: modern methods and techniques used to lead, plan, and control the work of others.Ability to: plan, assign, supervise, review, and evaluate the work of staff; plan, organize, conduct, and evaluate the effectiveness of training and education programs, including training staff in clinical casework techniques and methodologies; provide lead direction to a multi-disciplinary mental health treatment team; use community resources to establish and maintain effective community programs to assist in the care, prevention, education, and treatment of mental health clients and their families; assess situations, identify problems, develop acceptable problem-solving options, anticipate possible risks associated with each option, and determine appropriate course of action; work effectively with a multicultural client and family population with diverse background and needs; establish and maintain effective working relationships on a multi-disciplinary team with peers, supervisors, subordinates, members of the public, other County employees, community agency staff, and others who have an interest in mental health prevention and treatment; supervise individual and group behavior and provide necessary support; prepare clear and concise oral and written reports; lead, plan, and control the work of others.Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When ApplyingYour application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.You should list all your employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses which state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (Weight 100%). Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONA background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.IMPORTANT INFORMATION: As the largest employer in Sonoma County, the Board of Supervisors has adopted a vaccination and testing policy to help mitigate transmission of COVID-19. All County employees will be required to either have documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination on file or consent to weekly COVID-19 testing.HOW TO APPLYApplications are accepted on-line at: Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.HR Analyst: EPHR Technician: KC

Keywords: County of Sonoma, Santa Rosa , Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist, Healthcare , Santa Rosa, California