Pcmh Behavioral Health Specialist

Kern Medical Surgery Center, LLC.

GROW/REACH Clinics

PCMH Behavioral Health Specialist

General Summary:

Under supervision, to plan and provide direct mental health psychotherapy and services for adults, children, families and groups; and to assist in the implementation of treatment programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
The PCMH Behavioral Health Specialist role encompasses candidates that are both pre-licensed (Pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Pre-Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Pre-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and pre-doctoral psychology candidates) and licensed individuals. Individuals in the pre-license stage engage in supervised clinical practice, conducting fundamental professional mental health psychotherapy. They also cultivate advanced diagnostic and treatment proficiencies, accruing the necessary experience to qualify for licensure.
Candidates will need to demonstrate clinical knowledge and skill in the treatment of children, adults and/or geriatric populations. This may include substance abuse, dual diagnosis and working with specialty populations or with legal offense-related clients, who are acutely or chronically mentally ill and/or mentally impaired.

Essential Functions:

• Participate in evaluating and implementing diverse treatment approaches.

• Offer individual, conjoint, marital/family, and group psychotherapy sessions for clients.

• Create and execute psychotherapy programs tailored for acutely or chronically mentally ill and/or mentally impaired individuals, devising care plans and setting achievable goals.

• Conduct bio-psychosocial assessments to diagnose mental disorders in adults and/or children.

• Aid in identifying connections between problem behavior, personality traits, socio-economic circumstances, and substance abuse.

• Coordinate assigned cases and support staff in case management activities.

• Determine treatment authorizations.

• Review and endorse care plans authored by Mental Health Recovery Specialists.

• Collaborate with community agencies to ensure comprehensive client services, engaging in community self-help groups and liaison activities.

• Keep supervisors informed about client treatment-related issues.

• Serve as a client advocate.

• Refer clients to community agencies, support systems, or medical/psychiatric services as necessary.

• Provide in-service training and presentations for clients, families, staff, and community organizations.

• Offer crisis intervention support.

• Maintain accurate records and prepare documentation including progress notes, reports, and correspondence.

• Attend training sessions, meetings, committees, and conferences.

• Utilize personal computers and relevant software programs efficiently.

Other Functions:

• Prepares reports, special reports, placement evaluations, in-service curriculum, and manuals.

• Administers, scores, and interprets psychological testing under supervision (for pre-doctoral psychology candidates)

• Participates in interdisciplinary team sessions.

• Performs clinical duties in association with specialty training.

• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Employment Standards:

Completion of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Social Work or a related field, AND eligibility for registration with the State of California as an Associate Clinical Social Worker,  Marriage and Family Therapist intern or Pre-licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Within 90 days of hire incumbents must obtain and maintain a current and valid intern or associate registration with the State of California and obtain California licensure within the time period specified by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Failure to maintain a current and valid registration may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

OR

Completion of all Psychology doctoral coursework and completion of a Psychology Internship from an Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) program. Pre-doctoral psychology candidates cannot be employed to provide mental health services unless they obtain a waiver from the California Department of Health Care Services, even if registered with the California Board of Psychology. A waiver granted may not exceed five years from the date of employment.
A California license as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) must be obtained within six (6) years from the initial date of employment to continue to qualify to perform mental health services under this job description.  

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Responder or Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Responder certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Responder certification and competency.
Dependent upon assignment, applicants may be required to pass an extensive background investigation and be fingerprinted. Disqualification for felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Driver's License. access, utilize and maintain electronic records and files.

All applicable degrees, transcripts, licenses and/or certificates must be attached to your application.

Ability to:

Apply legal regulations governing public mental health agencies to specific scenarios. Implement psychotherapy principles and case recording techniques. Utilize computer systems and software proficiently. Access, manage, and update electronic records and files. Apply diverse treatment methods based on diagnostic criteria. Foster and sustain effective professional relationships. Conduct interviews adeptly and communicate effectively in writing and speech. Facilitate behavioral changes in groups and individuals. Maintain professional rapport with agency personnel and external organizations. Assess and manage psychiatric emergencies. Implement crisis intervention strategies and determine necessary referrals to other professionals or agencies. Provide psychotherapy to a diverse client population.