COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AIDE (#NM3 )

$26.89-$33.87 hourly / $4,661.00-$5,871.00 monthly / $55,931.20-$70,449.60 yearly

Under supervision, to provide non-professional mental health services in a variety of settings, and perform other work as required.

Incumbents work under supervision performing a variety of mental health services. Incumbents may handle a small caseload of clients and/or assist with special projects.

Support mental health program staff by assisting with therapeutic activities for children, adults and older adults with mental illness or emotional disturbance in skill building programs such as living enhancement, socialization, recreation and arts; provide activities on a one-to-one basis and in groups in various settings such as clinics, schools and community and residential care facilities; identify need for and facilitate interventions with clients in the community; may perform outreach services; assist clients with accessing basic entitlement programs and services; under supervision, participate in implementation of service plan with professional staff with emphasis on supporting treatment services; record and maintain clients' charts regarding socialization, recreation and other services provided; transport clients to activities using a County-owned van or own car; and input and access data using a computer.

Knowledge of:

Working knowledge of:

• Non-professional mental health intervention principles and techniques used in building social, recreation and living enhancement skills.

Some knowledge of:

• Group participation techniques.
• Community resources.

Ability to:

• Communicate verbally with children and adults with mental illness or emotional disturbance and their families.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Provide outreach to diverse population.
• Maintain patient records and other related documents.
• Facilitate basic, non-professional mental health services in a variety of settings.
• Assist mental health staff with implementation of services plans.
• Apply basic principles of health and human services.
• Learn to input and access information utilizing a computer.
• Drive a vehicle to safely transport clients.
• Distinguish speech and non-speech sounds in noisy environments.
• Intervene and diffuse situations involving combative clients including active restraint when needed.
• Stand and walk for extended periods of time may be required for some positions.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience, that would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

One year of non-professional experience in a mental health program or facility which involved direct client or patient contact. Substitution: The equivalent of 15 semester units of college credit in a behavioral science, social science or a closely related field may be substituted for up to six months of the required experience.

Special Requirements, Conditions:

License Requirement: Possession and maintenance of a valid California class C driver’s license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority, is required for some positions.

Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: All assignments: Exposure to offensive odors such as unwashed people and clothes, human and animal feces; the possibility of infections which may cause chronic disease or death; hostile or violent individuals; and may be exposed to cigarette smoke. Juvenile Hall and Acute/Emergency Services assignments: Exposure to noise, such as people yelling. Children's Service assignment: Exposure to disturbing material, such as photos of abused children; allergens such as poison oak, insect stings or bites, and pollens. Some positions may require lifting objects such as boxes of belongings weighing up to fifty pounds. Note: Persons in this classification may be assigned to positions with any of the above working conditions on an emergency, as needed basis.

Other Special Requirements: Work situations may include evenings, weekends and holidays.

PREVIOUS TITLES: None

Bargaining Unit: General Rep
EEOC Job Category: 05
Occupational Grouping: 44
Worker's Comp Code: 0290