The posting
POSITION PURPOSE: The Mental Health Clinician provides clinical care coordination to incarcerated individuals age 18+ with serious mental illness or co-occurring disorders 10-180 days pre-release and 120 days post-release as they prepare to exit detention facilities. This includes providing mental health and substance use assessments, individual/group counseling, clinical case management and care coordination, researching and organizing the necessary community resources in order to support client’s transition to the community; and related work as required. EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position.
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;
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of:
Registered MFT or Registered Social Worker Intern through California Board of Psychology or with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences; Criminogenic risks and needs; Cultural and socio-economic issues relevant to providing appropriate case management services to special population groups, including Latino, African-American, and Transition Age Youth; Legal and ethical issues pertaining to delivery of professional services; Human behavior theory and CBT; Local community and mental health resources available to assist incarcerated clients; Group dynamic theories and facilitation methods; Diagnostic categories (DSM V); Social, psychological and physical factors of mental, emotional, and substance abuse disorders; Types of illicit drugs and behavior patterns associated with them; Addictive behavior treatment methods; and Community resources.
Ability to:
Assess for the purpose of acquiring diagnostic information and developing case management treatment plans; Work with the incarcerated population and correctional staff; Facilitate psychoeducation/skill building groups; Work within a multi-disciplinary team; Maintain detailed client documentation; Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with a variety of people with mental illnesses; Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, correctional staff, other professional staff and the public; Operate a computer using word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications, and operate other standard office equipment; Understand, interpret, explain and apply local, state and federal law and regulations governing mental health programs and correctional facilities; Analyze complex mental health and substance abuse program issues and problems, evaluate alternative solutions and develop sound conclusions, recommendations and courses of action; Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Successfully perform duties in a field-based setting.
Language Skills: 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. Mathematical Skills: 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. Reasoning Ability: 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. Experience and Training: A typical way of obtaining the necessary experience and training is by obtaining a Master’s Degree from an accredited university, plus 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. Graduate-level internship experience working with a population with co-occurring disorders is preferred. 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 is highly desirable. LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: A valid California driver's license with current, valid California automobile insurance is required; CPR/First Aid Certified; TB test required upon hire and must be maintained every four (4) years. On occasion may require transportation of clients in personal vehicle. Bilingual preferred. Bilingual candidates will be required to pass a bilingual competency test prior to their hire date. Selected candidates must obtain clearance through the Sheriff’s Department within sixty (60) days of their respective date of hire as a condition of continued employment. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands: Employee is required to stand, bend or stoop for long periods of time; sit, stand, talk or hear in person and by telephone, use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and other standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms. The employee infrequently lifts up to 30 pounds. This is a field-based program; employee will provide services in the community or social settings. Mental Demands: This job includes close vision and the ability to adjust focus; use written and oral communications skills; read and interpret information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee works under typical office conditions; the noise level varies, usually between quiet to moderate noise as well as in the field with a varied work environment.
