Mental Health Specialist III

This is a reinstatement, transfer or voluntary demotion opportunity for current and former regularly appointed employees of Alameda County.

Reinstatement:
Pursuant to Civil Service Rule 1744: On the request of a department head and approval of the Commission, a regularly appointed employee who resigned in good standing may, within three years after the effective date of his/her resignation, be reinstated in a position in the class from which he/she resigned or in a position in another class for which he/she may be eligible as determined by the Commission. Appointments by reinstatement following resignation are subject to the probationary period established for the class. You must have been a classified County employee in the same job code or in a job code at the same salary maximum and left the County in good standing. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Transfer:
You must be a current County classified employee in the same job code or in a job code with the same salary maximum for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Voluntary Demotion:
You must be a current County classified employee in a job code which is at a higher salary maximum than the vacancy for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

THE AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Alameda County Health and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Alameda County Health currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well being of Alameda County residents.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision from Mental Health services professional staff, to provide mental health and vocational counseling services to assigned clients, including drug and alcohol and dually diagnosed clients referred to mental health facilities; to gather case history information; to note and record client's needs; to develop treatment and discharge plans for assigned clients; to assist in the implementation of treatment and discharge plans; and monitor client's progress and response to these plans; to provide psychiatric and vocational counseling for individuals and groups; if licensed, to administer and distribute medications; to perform work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a journey-level para-professional classification. When assigned to an out-patient facility, incumbents spend the majority of time providing psychiatric counseling to individuals or groups and participate in continuing care coordination for assigned clients and; may provide direct case management or socialization services. When assigned in the Vocational Program, may have operational and coordinating responsibility in a work center or large community work program and; spend the majority of time providing mental health and vocational services to drug and alcohol or dually diagnosed clients individually or in-groups.. Incumbents at this level have greater responsibility for direct patient care than the next lower level class of Mental Health Specialist II.

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience as a Mental Health Specialist II.

Or II
Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time experience performing clinical services, including providing psychiatric and/or vocational counseling services to assigned mental health, drug and alcohol and/or dually diagnosed clients in a clinical or mental health setting, in which the work is comparable to the Mental Health Specialist II.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license is desirable.
Possession of a Psychiatric Technician or LVN license may be required.

Special Conditions:

Positions may be required to work some weekends or evenings.

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

Knowledge of:

• Elementary medical, psychiatric and vocational rehabilitation terminology.
• Social adjustment, mentally disordered and addicted behavior, and general psychiatric counseling and vocational techniques in mental health and vocational settings.
• Physical, emotional and social needs of emotionally disordered individuals.
• Familiarity with medications commonly prescribed for psychiatric clients.
• Community resources for the mentally disordered and addicted.
• Elements of good communication.
• Basic computer and software applications, and modern office equipment related to the work.

Ability to:

• Write and speak effectively.
• Prepare and maintain records and correspondence.
• Apply the principles and concepts of psychiatric and vocational rehabilitation counseling.
• Use problem solving-techniques.
• Interview and secure personal and social information, as well as information needed for determining client's needs and vocational barriers.
• Establish and maintain effective psychiatric counseling relationships and work effectively with staff and others.
• Utilize other community resources and health care agencies.
• Utilize supervisory sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
• Work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

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
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• 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.

 

TO APPLY:

Please submit a PDF of your updated Alameda County application to Katherine Jones at katherine.jones@acgov.org.  Please be in contact if you have any questions.

You are encouraged to apply immediately as this posting is open until filled and may close at anytime.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer