Forensic Mental Health Specialist

Alameda County (CA) • Dublin, CA

53d • Onsite

About The Position

Under supervision, provides a variety of paraprofessional mental health, substance use, peer counseling, and education services to incarcerated Alameda County Behavioral Health (ACBH) clients; assists in the development and implementation of treatment and discharge plans and monitors client progress and response to these plans; recommends and provides appropriate referrals; maintains community liaisons to ensure adequate services are made available to consumers, provides case management and care coordination services including direct linkages to community-based services; facilitates a variety of consumer-focused peer counseling, support, and education groups; participates as part of the treatment team; and performs related duties as required.

The Forensic Mental Health Specialist is a paraprofessional classification located in the Health Care Services Agency, Adult Forensic Behavioral Health Program which provides mental health services to incarcerated clients in the County jail and reports to the Forensic Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor.� Incumbents provide mental health support, substance use counseling, and training/education to incarcerated individuals one-on-one or in groups and participate in care coordination for assigned clients. Incumbents also provide direct case management, socialization activities and services, group support, education, and re-entry planning. Incumbents conduct all their work at Santa Rita Jail (SRJ) and spend the majority of their shift in SRJ housing units. Forensic Mental Health Specialist is distinguished from the next higher class of Forensic Behavioral Health Clinician I in that the latter is part of a professional flexibly staffed series requiring State registration or licensure.

Requirements

• EITHER I Experience: The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time experience in the classification of Mental Health Specialist II.�
• OR II Experience: The equivalent of three (3) years of experience performing duties comparable to those of Mental Health Specialist I.�
• Substitution: Possession of a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, health education, or other health related field may be substituted for two (2) years of experience in pattern II.
• OR III Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, health education, or other health-related field.�
• Experience: The equivalent of six (6) months of experience performing duties comparable to those of Mental Health Specialist II with justice-involved or at-risk individuals.
• License: Some positions require a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Applicants must possess such license prior to appointment to such positions.
• Special Requirement: In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in this classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day of employment.
• A thorough background investigation will be conducted of all prospective Forensic Mental Health Specialists� to ensure they are suitable to work in a jail setting and must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.� Incumbents may be assigned to workday, evening, night, and rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays.�

Nice To Haves

• Someone who clearly conveys information and ideas verbally and in writing to individuals or groups in a manner that meets audience needs and helps them understand and retain the message; and who relates well to people with diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, or abilities.
• A collaborative individual who actively engages as a multidisciplinary team member by being accessible, supportive, and able to maintain constructive relationships that better serve and support clients.
• Familiar with the principles of wellness, recovery, and resiliency; is knowledgeable about behavioral health programs, community organizations, resources, and peer support networks in the local community and able to make appropriate referrals for housing, health care services, financial assistance, and other client needs.
• Someone who can be trusted with confidential records and private information, and who interacts with others in a way that gives them confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization.
• Attentive to the diverse needs of each client and secure relevant client care data to identify key issues in the management of care, while simultaneously managing high volume client cases and assisting clinicians in developing assessment, treatment and discharge plans, and resolving various administrative, operational, and client care requests and requirements.
• Someone with a sufficient level of knowledge, skill, and experience in mental health, substance use, dual diagnosis, and vocational counseling services including direct experience assisting clinical staff in the development and administration of treatment and discharge plans for clients; responds appropriately to crisis situations; and who strives to keep up with developments and trends in the field.
• An effective problem solver who uses sound judgment and quickly identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses data, logic, and sound judgment to evaluate alternatives and recommends viable solutions; and solves problems consistent with available resources, facts, constraints, and probable consequences to achieve desired organizational or service goals.�

Responsibilities

• Provides a variety of paraprofessional mental health, substance use, peer counseling, and education services to incarcerated Alameda County Behavioral Health (ACBH) clients
• Assists in the development and implementation of treatment and discharge plans and monitors client progress and response to these plans
• Recommends and provides appropriate referrals
• Maintains community liaisons to ensure adequate services are made available to consumers
• Provides case management and care coordination services including direct linkages to community-based services
• Facilitates a variety of consumer-focused peer counseling, support, and education groups
• Participates as part of the treatment team

Benefits

• Medical - HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental - HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance�
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)�
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1st United Services Credit Union�

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees