Mental Health Specialist

Role : Mental Health Specialist
Reports to: Program Manager, Clinical Services
Program: Integrated Care
Department: Mental Health
Location : Access Center - 503 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Status : Full Time, Non-exempt (Hourly), Non-management
Benefits : Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement Planning (403b), Employee Assistant Program (EAP), etc.
SUMMARY

As part of an interdisciplinary team, the Mental Health Specialist will conduct counseling, clinical skill building, and rehabilitative services with adult members that have severe and persistent mental illness in the agency's Access Center. The Mental Health Specialist's primary responsibilities are to engage members and to coordinate mental health and recovery services that will ensure housing stability and community integrations. The Mental Health Specialist will provide emergency and ongoing risk assessment, linkages to emergency care, medical and mental health services. This position is responsible for maintaining the highest quality provision of direct individual and group therapeutic and case management services while fostering teamwork among staff and across departments and programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide, coordinate and implement mental health and recovery support services with individual members.
• Provide trauma-informed interventions using a harm reduction approach to meet the needs of those living with severe, persistent mental illness, severe medical disorders, and high-risk substance use disorders.
• Conduct individual, family, and group counseling, and document services using Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Medi-Cal guidelines.
• Develop effective, trusting relationships with members, with a focus on facilitating independence and maintenance of improved physical and mental health.
• Collaborate with each member to develop their individual treatment plan, review and update it upon completion of goals.
• Assist management and team with program evaluation for future program improvements and growth.
• Assist members with becoming involved in daily activities, socialization, health maintenance, sense of community, and progress in recovery reflecting of The People Concern's model which emphasizes customer choice, harm reduction, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
• Work cooperatively and cohesively with other members of the Clinical Services team, including participation in weekly staff meetings, group clinical supervision and trainings.
• Work cooperatively and cohesively with the Access Center team, including participation in staff meetings, case consultation, and site-based training.
• Provide crisis intervention services.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Behavioral Health, Mental Health, or Counseling from an accredited university.
• Outstanding clinical and strong team-building skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and database applications.
• Detail oriented with excellent time management, organizational, written, verbal, interpersonal, and computer skills.
• Able to learn quickly and work effectively with a wide range of constituencies and with minimal supervision.
• Valid CA Driver's license, reliable car, auto insurance, and an acceptable driving record
• Able to transport members in your vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with those living with mental illness and/or substance addictions
• Experience completing DMH documentation

• Bilingual Spanish preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office environment with occasional field activities with participants and staff

• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend and occasionally lift or carry up to 35 pounds

• May be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor
• May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day

RESPONSIBILITIES COMMON TO ALL AGENCY EMPLOYEES

• Maintain a safe work environment and confidentiality at all times
• Be proactive, creative, and flexible in determining, evaluating, researching, and resolving issues
• Organize and prioritize multiple activities to meet all external and internal deadlines
• Maintain professional demeanor that reflects positively on the agency
• Demonstrate respect and courtesy toward others
• Able to thrive in a work environment emphasizing teamwork and collaboration
• Respond in a timely manner in all aspects of communication
• Work with minimum supervision

• Perform other duties as assigned

Equal Opportunity Employer

The People Concern is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to non-discrimination in employment. We select the most qualified individual for the job basedon job-related qualifications regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, credit history, sexual orientation, arrest and court record, genetic information, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or other applicable laws.

About the People Concern

The People Concern empowers the most vulnerable among us to rebuild their lives. One of Los Angeles County's largest social services agencies, The People Concern was formed in 2016 in a merger of two trusted social service organizations based in Los Angeles County, OPCC and Lamp Community. Informed by more than fifty-eight years of work in the community, The People Concern is a leading provider of, and advocate for, evidence-based solutions to the multi-faceted challenges inherent in homelessness and domestic violence.

With compassion and profound respect for those we serve, we provide a fully integrated system of care - including outreach, interim housing, mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, domestic violence services, life skills & wellness programs, and permanent supportive housing - tailored to the unique needs of homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, challenged youth, and others who have nowhere else to turn.

The People Concern's model of integrated and comprehensive care empowers our participants to navigate the multi-faceted obstacles in their lives, become their best selves, and ultimately, connect with and contribute to their communities.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement Planning (403b)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Sick Days
• Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
• TELUS Health
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Basic Life / Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Voluntary Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Discounts on Hotels, Theme Parks, Concerts, Movies, Restaurants & More
• The People Concern University & Certificates
• Corporate Discounts

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT