Mental Health Program Specialist - East Palo Alto Clinic - Spanish Preferred (Open & Promotional)

County of San Mateo•San Mateo, CA

17d•Onsite

About The Position

San Mateo County Health is hiring a Mental Health Program Specialist for the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division’s East Palo Alto Community Counseling Clinic. The role coordinates and supervises a specialized program, supervises a small multidisciplinary staff, consults with community groups and agencies, establishes service-delivery systems, and performs related duties. The position is based in East Palo Alto and may require travel throughout San Mateo County. Spanish-speaking ability is preferred, particularly to provide clinical services to monolingual Spanish-speaking clients when applicable. The specialist supervises clinicians, helps develop a peer chart-review program and coordinate utilization review, supports community outreach, and may represent the Unit Chief at department and community meetings. The role also helps develop and implement clinic procedures, carries a partial caseload, conducts outreach to African-American, Latino, and Pacific Islander communities, and collaborates with community organizations, schools, and other partners. The position reports to the East Palo Alto Clinics Supervising Mental Health Clinician. The role coordinates the clinic’s Entry to Care process, including referrals, initial assessments, and compliance with timely-access requirements. It establishes procedures consistent with applicable laws, monitors and consults with contract providers, researches grant opportunities, advises agencies, evaluates staff performance and program outcomes, and prepares reports. The specialist also provides clinical consultation, supports program development and quality improvement, and manages same-day assessments for people seeking clinic services.

Requirements

California license as a Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, or Clinical Psychologist.
Three years of experience as a mental health professional, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of program management and delivery, employee supervision and training, and applicable laws, regulations, County policies, and guidelines.
Knowledge of individual, group, and family psychodynamics; psychological diagnostic methods and terminology; psychiatric casework; County human and health services systems and community resources; individual and group therapy methods; and mental health education techniques.
Ability to plan, assign, supervise, review, and evaluate the work of interdisciplinary subordinates.
Ability to train staff and provide technical and programmatic assistance to staff and subcontractors.
Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply regulations, requirements, and clinical approaches.
Ability to prepare grant proposals and written reports.
Ability to set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment.
Ability to evaluate clients’ degree of mental disability or emotional distress.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and make public presentations as needed.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative working relationships and exercise independent judgment within policy and regulatory guidelines.

Nice To Haves

Spanish-speaking ability, including the ability to provide clinical services to monolingual Spanish-speaking clients when applicable.
Experience and proficiency providing mental health and substance-use treatment and clinical case management in a clinical setting.
Knowledge of current best practices for mental health and co-occurring substance-use and mental-health conditions.
Ability to communicate in group and community settings and build relationships with partners inside and outside BHRS.
Experience assisting with program development and service quality improvement.
Ability to supervise multidisciplinary and multicultural staff.
Leadership, negotiation, complex problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
Knowledge of San Mateo County services and resources for people with mental health, substance-use, and co-occurring disorders.
Interest and skills in program development and staff training.
Strong crisis-management, supervisory, and clinical-supervision skills.
Strong organizational skills, including managing systems-level change and detailed implementation work.
Experience working with youth and adults and with Hispanic/Latino, African-American, and Pacific Islander communities.

Responsibilities

Coordinate assigned program activities with services provided by regional clinics, private providers, schools, state institutions, and other public or community agencies.
Oversee and coordinate the clinic’s Entry to Care process, including referrals, initial assessments, and compliance with Timely Access requirements.
Establish and maintain program procedures consistent with federal, state, and local laws governing mental health services.
Monitor and consult with contract providers to ensure compliance with County service expectations and help resolve problem areas.
Research and prepare grant proposals for mental health projects.
Consult with schools and other public agencies and provide program supervision and liaison to contractees.
Evaluate legislative changes and integrate them into program procedures.
Provide clinical consultation to agencies.
Evaluate the performance of employees assigned to the program.
Compile data and prepare program evaluations and reports.
Supervise clinicians and other staff, provide clinical supervision, and train staff in work procedures.
Help develop a peer chart-review program and coordinate the Utilization Review Process.
Assist with community outreach and collaborate with community-based organizations, schools, and other partners.
Represent the Unit Chief at department and community meetings and assist with clinic procedures.
Carry a partial caseload and conduct same-day assessments for people seeking clinic services.
Conduct outreach to African-American, Latino, and Pacific Islander communities.
Perform related duties as assigned.