Mental Health Specialist

The Whole Child Mental Health & Housing Services•Whittier, CA

About The Position

The Mental Health Specialist, described in the overview as a Rehabilitation Specialist, works under the direct supervision of the Program Director or designee. The role provides Targeted Case Management and may provide rehabilitative services to clients and their families, supporting access to community resources and daily independent living. Services are integrated, individualized, tailored to community needs, and delivered under the oversight of the Program Supervisor. Working with therapists, a psychiatrist, and a Parent Partner within the Core Practice Model, the specialist provides family-centered services based on families’ strengths and needs. The position includes Intensive Care Coordination and Intensive Home-Based Services, collaboration with treatment teams, service documentation, and participation in family meetings and program evaluation. It is a field-based role involving work in an office, clients’ homes, schools, and the community, with frequent driving between service locations.

Requirements

At least 4 years of work experience related to providing case management or rehabilitative services in a mental health setting.
Knowledge of community resources.
Willingness to work in homes, schools, and other non-traditional, community-oriented environments.
Strong communication skills.
Strong writing skills and ability to document clearly and concisely in accordance with DMH and other program standards.
Strong commitment to children and families and willingness to take steps necessary to assure their well-being.
Willingness to work in a multicultural environment.
Ability to solve practical problems and handle situations with limited standardization; ability to interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule-form instructions.
Ability to meet the stated physical and travel demands, including frequent driving for work and occasionally transporting materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
A personal motor vehicle is required for frequent travel between offices, housing appointments, and community events.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills may be required for certain locations or positions.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience with DMH paperwork.
Knowledge of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health system.
Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or another mental-health-related discipline.
Proven bilingual skills and ability to translate may qualify for additional compensation.

Responsibilities

Meet annual productivity and client-care expectations.
Work hours that meet community needs, including evenings if necessary, as directed by a supervisor.
Schedule and coordinate activities with teams to deliver services in accordance with family team meeting agreements.
Assist with Outreach and Engagement.
After assessments and problem lists are established, assist with direct client contacts, access to services, and connections to community services.
Assess and periodically reassess the need for establishing or continuing Targeted Case Management services for access to medical, educational, social, or other services.
Provide referrals and related activities.
Help identify clients’ needs, triggers, and barriers within a strengths-based model, and make recommendations to supervisors and the treatment team.
Participate in child/family team meetings for assigned families.
Provide Intensive Care Coordination case-management interventions to facilitate access and linkage to services and resources, incorporating the Core Practice Model.
Provide Intensive Home-Based Services and rehabilitative services to clients, parents, and caregivers to build skills and achieve goals and objectives.
Provide medically necessary skill-based interventions to remediate behaviors or improve symptoms, including implementing positive behavioral plans, modeling interventions, developing self-regulation or self-care skills, and helping parents develop positive problem-solving skills and appropriate behavioral interactions.
Work with available personnel to facilitate implementation of child/family treatment plans.
Maintain positive communication with agency staff, clients, and visitors; act as a liaison and use informal supports and natural family helpers.
May assist with crisis intervention at the direction of clinical personnel.
Attend weekly individual supervision, weekly team meetings, and training assigned by a supervisor.
Provide supervisor- or team-directed interventions that are school- and family-centered and strengths-based.
May accompany parents to important meetings, such as court proceedings.
Participate in outcome-oriented data collection for program evaluation and help facilitate required outcome measures.
Participate in a multicultural team approach sensitive to the cultural and linguistic needs of families served.
Participate in staff meetings and support agency policies, principles, and mission.
Maintain confidentiality regarding agency operations, personnel, and clients.
Complete charting and paperwork within 48 hours of service delivery and enter all activity on time, by the end of the next workday.
Document 100% of activity in compliance with Federal and California Medi-Cal, Short-Doyle, and EPSDT service-delivery standards, ensuring accuracy.
Exercise good judgment, maintain appropriate boundaries and professional conduct, and perform other related duties as assigned and approved by supervisors.