County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, provide clinical consultation and mental health orientation, review and evaluation functions to Residential Care Providers, and provide housing placement consultation to inpatient hospitals, case managers and Program Directors. Act as County liaison with community care licensing, Board and Care Homes and mentally ill residents in community residential care homes to ensure that program regulations and procedures are followed; and to do related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This position is located in the Behavioral Health Care Services Department in the Health Care Services Agency. Housing Resource Specialists are employed in the Access Department in Behavioral Health Care Services and receive supervision from a Senior Psychiatric Social Worker in providing resource liaison to mentally ill residents. This position is distinguished from Rehabilitation Counselors, and most other Behavioral Health Care Services positions in that the incumbents' psychosocial evaluation and rehabilitation skills are focused in the area of identifying or designing housing-based treatment options to meet clients' needs and in having a greater program monitoring and evaluation function.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

1. Acts as a resource person to provide psycho-social rehabilitative services to prospective Supplemental Rate Program (SRP) providers, plans and coordinate residential program changes; performs facility evaluation visits; evaluates and make recommendations for certification, re-certification or denial of SRP homes.

2. Monitors assigned SRP Board and Care Homes; ensures compliance with contract provisions and regulations; reviews Board and Care Home policies and practices to ensure compliance with State and Federal legislation, regulations and directives.

3. Corresponds with and acts as a department liaison with various specialized programs or agencies; monitors dual-diagnosis and other residential specialty care homes; promotes staff development relating to mental health issues and housing needs.

4. Advises on available housing information and referral resources for other professionals and community at large. Takes responsibility for finding resource placement alternatives and relocation of clients in case of facility closures. Consults with and works in cooperation with community care licensing personnel.

5. Recommends and facilitates procedural and operational changes to maximize service delivery and revenue reimbursement; maintains records and prepares reports regarding program activities.

6. Assists in development and applies procedures and criteria for the evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of departmental SRP; monitors SRP contracts and audits contract invoices.

7. Provides training events; determines training needs of residential care providers and community care personnel; devises effective training methodologies and strategies to meet organizational needs.

8. Interprets and explains social and emotional factors pertaining to mental health clients; serves as contact person for residents in residential care facilities.

9. May be responsible for case management services to Board and Care Home clients who do not already have an assigned case manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, rehabilitation counseling, clinical or educational psychology; or in a closely related field, AND

Experience:

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in the field of direct delivery of services to clients. Experience in program planning and evaluation, or in program administration and contract monitoring is desirable.

Special Requirement:

In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in this classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day on the job.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices of community agencies and community resources serving the mentally ill, alcohol and drug abusers, and alcoholism, physical and mental illness and their impact on social needs.
• Principles and practices of direct client service delivery and social rehabilitation.
• Principles and practices of program planning and evaluation.
• Social aspects of mental and emotional illness and personality disorders.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• Computer applications related to the work.

Ability to:

• Represent the department and the County in meetings with others and make effective presentations to diverse groups.
• Establish and maintain effective line of communication and working relationships with professionals in multiple agencies.
• Work in the presence of changing priorities and tight time schedules.
• Utilize housing resources in the case of mentally ill and alcoholic or drug abuse clients.
• Adapt case management principles and clinical interventions to a variety of situations.

Licenses:

Specific positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license.

Specific positions may also require licensure or certification in the programmatic area to which assigned.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

AM:co
JOB SPECS/NEW SPECS: 6635.doc
6/12/00
CSC Date: 8/16/00
SG:po Revised 7/16/09
CSC Date: 8/12/09

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.