Behavioral Health Specialist (SCII) FSP

JOB TITLE: Behavioral Health Specialist (SCII) FSP

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

HOURS: Full Time

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

REQUISITION NUMBER: 1667

SIGN ON BONUS: $5,000

SUMMARY:  Step Up on Second, a nationally recognized nonprofit mental health and housing provider currently has opportunities for a Master Level Mental Health Service Coordinator in San Bernardino.  Step Up is a Department of Behavioral Health contractor with Mental Health Service Administration (prop 63) and Medi-Cal funded programs.   

 The Service Coordinator II (SC II) is a member of the FSP Housing First team. The SC II is a registered mental health professional who works within their designated scope of practice to assess, treat and house adults experiencing chronic homelessness and serious mental health issues. Services include comprehensive mental health services, targeted case management, medication management, and crisis intervention in a field and office-based setting.  The program provides 24/7 on call coverage to clients and family members to provide the highest quality of life in the least restrictive community setting possible.  

DUTIES: The following reflects essential functions for this job but does not restrict other tasks, which may be assigned:

Outreach and Housing Placement 

• Provides intensive case management services to residents through Permanent Supportive Housing including: 
  • outreach and engagement, accepting referrals, screening, intake and assessment;
  • housing application process, documents acquisition, benefits establishment prior to placement, service plan development, monitoring and reassessment;
  • linkages and referrals to clinical services and appropriate community resources; ensure compliance with eligibility and lease-up procedures 
• Comprehensive coordination of care including effective communication with residents’ co-service providers establishing goals and objectives for successful transition to and maintenance of independent living. 
• Meets with assigned residents individually through regular home visits, to review progress toward goals, reassess and revise service plans using recovery-oriented service models including Housing First and Harm Reduction to ensure stable housing.
  • Monitors for warning signs of de-compensation and crisis, and respond accordingly.
  • Facilitates or links to life skills groups and community-based recreational opportunities. 

Mental Health and Case Management Services 

• SC II will complete SBC Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA), make comprehensive evaluations and independent recommendations of functioning, support network, adequacy of living arrangements, financial status, physical health, level of self-care, and make a provisional diagnosis in concert with the psychiatrist or Licensed Staff on site. 
• SC II may provide needed therapeutic interventions: individual, group and crisis, to address symptoms as defined in the assessment and to improve level of functioning or develop insight to reduce defined distress or stressors. if identified as a goal and intervention on the treatment plan.
• As the primary clinical lead on each case, SC II will work with SCI to manage client caseload.  Both collaborate with the client to identify needs, set goals, establish concrete objectives and develop a Personal Service Plan. Provide both ongoing support and crisis intervention.
• SC II will work with SCI to assure access to local resources, including psychiatric and medical care, housing, rehabilitation programs, drug/alcohol services, socialization activities, providing transportation and accompanying the client when necessary.  Communicate regularly with other treatment providers. 
• Attends daily staff meetings, supervision and trainings as requested.
• Works cooperatively with other Service Coordinators including sharing responsibility for 24 hour on-call coverage.
• As an exempt employee, practice independent judgement and utilize discretion in appropriately managing job duties, maintaining time/organization and providing best care practices to members.

Data Collection and Record Keeping 

• Completes all DBH chart paperwork and maintain documentation according to MediCAL standards of practice in Electronic Health Record – Welligent within proscribed timeframes as outlined in SUOS documentation policy.  
• Meets weekly, monthly and quarterly billing quota set by Program Manager. 
• Processes agency paperwork in a timely and accurate manner.

SKILLS/ABILITIES:  Experience working with individuals with mental health challenges, crisis intervention, understanding and commitment to psychosocial philosophy, strong computer skills, ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team.  Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and familiarity with and dedication to the Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Recovery Oriented service models preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:   Masters in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work, licensed-eligible Interns (AMFT, ACSW, APCC) and registered with the CA BBS.  Minimum of 2 years of experience working with homeless populations and/or those diagnosed with a mental illness in a community setting desirable.  Ability to work as a part of a team is crucial.  Knowledge of Microsoft Office is essential.  Must have own transportation, and current California driver’s license and insurance with good driving record.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:  Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty.   Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully.   All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment. 

 Please Note: This position is part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU721) Bargaining Unit

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required. 

Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community members. 

STEP UP CORE VALUES 

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community. 

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community. 

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community. 

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community. 

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community. 

Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. 

STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

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