Case Management/Assessment Specialist I/II-Spanish Speaking Preferred

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division of San Mateo County Health is seeking a well-qualified individual for the position of Case Management/Assessment Specialist I/II-Spanish Speaking Preferred to, under general supervision, perform a wide variety of intake and referral services including assessment, evaluation, tracking and support services for clients receiving mental health and/or substance use treatment; develop and implement activities related to substance use prevention, intervention and rehabilitation; and perform other related work.

The current vacancy is unclassified in the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Division. The position serves as a member of the multidisciplinary team embedded in Primary Care clinics throughout the County of San Mateo.

The position will provide clients with one (1) to eight (8) individual sessions; provide direct client care including assessment, motivational interviewing and solution-focused counseling; learn client's short-term goals and objectives; set up treatment plans targeting pre-contemplative to action stage clients, co-occurring disorders/issues, harm reduction, relapse prevention, stress reduction, health and self-care; provide education about risks of substance use to adolescents and adults; case management; home and/or community follow up for high-risk population; coordinate care with the treatment team of therapists, psychiatrists and primary care providers; use clinical consultation and case conferencing on difficult cases; record and bill for client interventions and sessions using AVATAR; use eClinicalWorks (eCW) systems for communication with primary care; and attend Interface Team staff/clinical bi-weekly Monday meetings.

The ideal candidate will have certification as an Alcohol and Drug counselor; significant skills and experience providing direct client care in assessing, evaluating and developing treatment plans with adult and adolescent clients having substance use issues; case management; experience working with co-occurring adult and adolescent clients; determining appropriate referrals; maintaining case files; establishing appropriate clinical relationships; and demonstrated skill and understanding with the issues of confidentiality and ethics. Additionally, excellent collaboration skills to work with multiple partner agencies; and the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors are strongly desired. Fluency in Spanish is preferred.

SALARY
Case Management/Assessment Specialist I: $6,065 - $6,781/month
Case Management/Assessment Specialist II: $6,127 - $7,659/month

Examples Of Duties:

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform client evaluations using a variety of assessment and screening tools, information gathered from interviewing client and/or other professionals and established clinical guidelines to determine the appropriate referral(s), level of care, and recommended treatment plan.
• Interview clients and their families to gather social, psychiatric, and drug and alcohol history.
• Administer appropriate assessment instruments to assist in the development of the client's case history in developing treatment recommendations.
• Maintain case files on clients containing assessment information, assessment summaries, court documents and all other correspondence/information relevant to the client.
• Gather appropriate consents from clients to use in gathering information from outside agencies/sources.
• Provide program information and community resources to clients and other agencies.
• Gather, maintain and disseminate community resource information to other staff.
• Advise treatment providers of information gathered during intake process; gather additional information as appropriate.
• Meet with clients to provide service information; provide psycho-education regarding client's potential substance use disorder or condition, and the recommended treatments available.
• Work with community agencies as required to assist clients in their service plans and in coping with daily activities and environmental needs, such as housing, medical care and employment.
• Assist in training community-based organizations or partners, Alcohol and Other Drug and Behavioral Health staff, and outside agencies on related topics and processes.
• Consult with other professionals when clinical expertise is needed in development of treatment plans.
• Attend staff conferences and related meetings to coordinate activities with other divisions of the department, other County departments and community groups and providers.
• Provide information and education and make presentations to community groups and others concerning addictive behaviors, interventions, and services available.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles, philosophy, practices, materials, trends and literature related to substance use and mental health disorders, and impact of trauma.
• Various models of treating addiction including medication assisted treatments, and the use of medications to treat substance use disorders, CBT approaches, relapse prevention and harm reduction.
• How to work effectively with individuals with mental and emotional illness, developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments, including those related to substance use.
• Prevention methods and treatments procedures related to alcohol and drug disorders, mental and emotional illness, and personality disorders.
• Social aspects of drug, alcohol, mental and emotional problems.
• Techniques and dynamics of group and individual counseling.
• Techniques and dynamics of assessment and engagement.
• Standardized clinical assessment instruments, practices and procedures.
• BHRS policies including informing clients of consent to services, notice of privacy practices, and OCFA right to file a grievance procedure.
• Social and psychological needs, problems, behavior patterns and treatment of persons impacted by substance use.
• Availability of and procedures for obtaining a wide variety of community and governmental services and resources.
• Methods and techniques of interviewing, problem solving and motivational interviewing.
• Principles of counseling, including group leader functions.
• Resources/strategies for the client for purpose of referral.
• Appropriate methods and use of assessment to evaluate and assess alcohol and drug disorders.
• Basic case management processes.
• Reporting requirements of criminal justice referrals and treatment providers.
• Federal and State confidentiality and privacy regulations including 42 CFR part 2, HIPPA, etc.

Skill/Ability to:

• Assess client's immediate needs and ensure client's receipt of needed services.
• Interview clients and other professionals for gathering information.
• Perform effectively in stressful, emotional, and confrontational situations.
• Recognize factors causing reaction or changes in clients' condition or behavior.
• Obtain, maintain, and present accurate client data.
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Secure pertinent social and personal data and meet documentation requirements.
• Develop relationships with primary care and/or treatment provider community, courts, probation and other professional agencies/staff.
• Evaluate information received and make appropriate treatment recommendations and/or referrals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families, professionals and para-professionals and support staff in the department, outside agencies and the public.
• Provide high quality clinical case documentation.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Case Management/Assessment Specialist I: One year of experience in information gathering and/or intake and referral in a social service program.

Case Management/Assessment Specialist II: Two years of experience assessing and evaluating clients using assessments instruments and/or guidelines, identifying and making referrals based on those assessments, and interviewing clients for in a social service program.

HOW TO APPLY
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

~ TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE ~
Final Filing Date: Open Until Filled
Combined Civil Service & Department Interviews: August 8 and 9, 2022

At the County of San Mateo, we take pride in the way our employees bring together their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to serve our community's needs. The County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.