Mental Health Program Specialist - Behavioral Health Services Act (Open & Promotional)

County of San Mateo • San Mateo, CA

21h • Onsite

About The Position

San Mateo County Health is seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to serve as Mental Health Program Specialist- Evidence-Based Practices & Revenue Optimization within the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) division, supporting implementation of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and advancing system-wide transformation efforts. This full-time, permanent position will play a key role in strengthening behavioral health infrastructure, ensuring regulatory alignment, optimizing Medi-Cal revenue systems, and advancing evidence-based practice implementation across BHRS. Since 2006, BHRS has been committed to building a welcoming, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive system of care that addresses the full spectrum of client health needs, including physical, emotional, behavioral, and social well-being. Recent state legislation, regulatory changes, and local innovation efforts have reshaped the behavioral health landscape. The position will help ensure BHRS remains responsive, compliant, and forward-thinking in this evolving environment.

Requirements

• California license as one of the following: 1) Clinical Social Worker; 2) Marriage and Family Therapist; or 3) Clinical Psychologist
• Three years of experience as a Mental Health professional.
• Knowledge of Principles, techniques and practices of program management and delivery
• Knowledge of Principles and practices of employee supervision and training
• Knowledge of Applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and County policies and guidelines
• Knowledge of Individual, group and family psychodynamics
• Knowledge of Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology
• Knowledge of Current principles and practices of psychiatric casework
• Knowledge of Human and health services systems in the County including private agencies and other community resources
• Knowledge of Various methods used in individual and group therapies such as role playing, play, art and milieu
• Knowledge of Methods and techniques used in mental health education
• Ability to Plan, assign, supervise, review and evaluate the work of interdisciplinary subordinates
• Ability to Train staff in work procedures and provide technical and programmatic assistance to staff and subcontractors
• Ability to Analyze, interpret and apply various regulations, requirements and/or clinical approaches
• Ability to Prepare grant proposals and written reports
• Ability to Set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment
• Ability to Evaluate patients/clients’ degree of mental disability or emotional distress
• Ability to Communicate effectively in writing and orally and make public presentations as needed
• Ability to Establish and cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of the work
• Ability to Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy and regulatory guidelines

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Medi-Cal billing, managed care contracting, and behavioral health patient care revenue systems.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data and develop system-level recommendations for operational improvements.
• Knowledge of BHSA, BH-CONNECT, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM), and other State initiatives impacting Medi-Cal reimbursement and documentation standards.
• Experience with implementation, readiness assessment, and fidelity monitoring of evidence-based practices (EBPs).
• Strong facilitation skills to convene multidisciplinary stakeholders, including leadership, clinical teams, and external partners.
• Commitment to quality assurance, audit readiness, and continuous improvement in public behavioral health systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead Medi-Cal billing and revenue cycle improvement initiatives.
• Oversee initiatives focused on developing certification and billing infrastructure for contracted community-based providers.
• Coordinate agency-wide requirements for implementation and fidelity monitoring of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs).
• Support implementation of Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) and other EBP and Medi-Cal billing-related initiatives.
• Advise leadership on relevant policy changes to support strategic planning and sustainable, high-quality service delivery.
• Serve as BHRS subject matter expert on Medi-Cal billing, reimbursement regulations, and revenue optimization strategies.
• Lead patient care revenue maximization initiatives focused on improving billing accuracy and maximizing allowable Medi-Cal reimbursement.
• Oversee initiatives focused on developing and implementing streamlined billing infrastructure for community-based organizations to optimize Medi-Cal-eligible services, peer supports, and community-defined evidence practices (CDEPs).
• Facilitate an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Committee to support EBP selection, review, and policy and procedure development.
• Work collaboratively with BHRS Program Managers and Quality Management team to ensure EBP implementation to fidelity in compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• Review EBP revenue generation, utilization and other relevant data and make recommendations for adjustments as necessary to optimize billing, cost recovery, and compliance.
• Prepare actionable reports, briefs, and presentations to inform executive leadership strategic planning and decision-making.

Benefits

• This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful, system-level transformation in public behavioral health.
• This role directly supports BHSA implementation, integrated care advancement, fiscal sustainability, and equitable access to high-quality services for diverse communities across San Mateo County.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior