MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN - PIR/PIRM

NHA•San Diego, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mental Health Clinician provides clinical care coordination to incarcerated individuals aged 18 and older with serious mental illness or co-occurring disorders. This support is provided 10-180 days pre-release and 120 days post-release as clients prepare to exit detention facilities. The role involves conducting mental health and substance use assessments, providing individual and group counseling, clinical case management, and care coordination. It also includes researching and organizing necessary community resources to support clients' transition to the community, along with other related duties.

Requirements

Registered MFT or Registered Social Worker Intern through California Board of Psychology or with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Knowledge of Criminogenic risks and needs
Knowledge of Cultural and socio-economic issues relevant to providing appropriate case management services to special population groups, including Latino, African-American, and Transition Age Youth
Knowledge of Legal and ethical issues pertaining to delivery of professional services
Knowledge of Human behavior theory and CBT
Knowledge of Local community and mental health resources available to assist incarcerated clients
Knowledge of Group dynamic theories and facilitation methods
Knowledge of Diagnostic categories (DSM V)
Knowledge of Social, psychological and physical factors of mental, emotional, and substance abuse disorders
Knowledge of Types of illicit drugs and behavior patterns associated with them
Knowledge of Addictive behavior treatment methods
Knowledge of Community resources
Ability to assess for the purpose of acquiring diagnostic information and developing case management treatment plans
Ability to work with the incarcerated population and correctional staff
Ability to facilitate psychoeducation/skill building groups
Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
Ability to maintain detailed client documentation
Ability to exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with a variety of people with mental illnesses
Ability to organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, correctional staff, other professional staff and the public
Ability to operate a computer using word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications, and operate other standard office equipment
Ability to understand, interpret, explain and apply local, state and federal law and regulations governing mental health programs and correctional facilities
Ability to analyze complex mental health and substance abuse program issues and problems, evaluate alternative solutions and develop sound conclusions, recommendations and courses of action
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Ability to successfully perform duties in a field-based setting
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English
Ability to write simple correspondence in English
Ability to effectively communicate and present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization
Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s; ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions
Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables, in standardized situations
Master’s Degree from an accredited university
License or registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences in one of the following: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT); or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Marriage and Family Therapist Interns or Associate Social Workers are also acceptable
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in a substance use/mental health setting
Experience with motivational interviewing and different therapeutic approaches
Experience with mental health diagnoses
Experience working with Latino and African-American and the incarcerated population
A valid California driver's license with current, valid California automobile insurance
CPR/First Aid Certified
TB test required upon hire and must be maintained every four (4) years

Nice To Haves

Graduate-level internship experience working with a population with co-occurring disorders
Bilingual

Responsibilities

Conduct/Provides co-occurring assessments, clinical case management, and individual counseling pre and post release including client intakes and discharges
Provides group counseling such as psycho education groups, job readiness, relapse prevention, etc.
Provides employment preparation services such as resume writing, interview skills, application assistance, etc.
Performs crisis intervention as needed
Assesses and identifies clients’ needs for supportive services, acts as a partner and resource, performing case management services and client advocacy by obtaining appropriate linkages for necessary or requested services (e.g., mental health, housing, vocational, employment, food, etc.) and following through to ensure service efficacy
Refers clients to clinical services which are provided pre- and post-release
Collaborates with other service team members on client concerns
Requests assistance and guidance from management and professional staff when necessary to address client issues and problems
Establishes and maintains contact with community resources to ensure continuity of care
Creates detailed documentation of client progress and performs various other administrative functions associated with the program
Maintains client charts
Updates assigned clients’ progress notes, maintains daily log of clients seen and writes necessary communication
Transports clients to their needed linkage resource(s)
Completes intake assessments, updated assessments, and other necessary paperwork, including service plans and service plan reviews
Enters necessary data and information
Provides information, presentations and outreach to the community as needed
Upholds all Program Safety Policies/ Procedures and ensure that clients, staff and program facility are safe at all times
Other duties as assigned