Behavioral Health Clinician II

Behavioral Health Clinician II

At Episcopal Community Services (ECS), employees work with participants who may be experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, substance use challenges, and other difficult life circumstances. While this work is meaningful and mission-driven, it can at times be stressful, demanding, or unpredictable. Employees are expected to exercise sound judgment, remain aware of their surroundings, follow established safety, communication, and de-escalation procedures, participate in all required trainings, and promptly report incidents, threats, injuries, or unsafe conditions, in accordance with ECS policies and procedures.

This position is a fully onsite, client-facing role that requires in-person interaction and direct service delivery to participants at ECS program locations. Due to the essential nature of the duties and the need for consistent in-person engagement with clients, remote work or work-from-home arrangements are not available for this position.

SALARY:

External Candidates: $85,030 - $86,305

Internal Candidates: $87,581 - $88,856 Based on Longevity

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Behavioral Health Clinician is embedded on-site, providing a variety of behavioral health interventions to adults struggling with transitioning to permanent housing, mental health, healthy aging in place, and/or substance abuse needs. The ECS Behavioral Health clinician provide intensive and consistent services that coordinate care with on-site IHSS, medical care teams, Property Management and Housing Support Services. ECS Behavioral Health staff provide a consistent presence, establishing rapport, trust and safety. ECS Behavioral Health Clinicians strive to provide individually tailored services to assist the client to promote wellness, identify and mitigate risky behaviors, and improve functioning levels at their home and in the community.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Work closely with the Director of Behavioral Health, and the Administrative Assistant/Quality Assurance Specialist to reach all Medi-Cal billing goals and outcomes.
2. Maintain a regular caseload and provide professional and culturally relevant support, advocacy, information and referrals to program participants in order to guide them through a process of self-directed goal-setting that builds upon client strengths and talents.
3. Complete initial and ongoing assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning in collaboration with assigned caseload.
4. Meet with each client regularly and provide Medi-Cal billable mental health services including assessment, rehabilitation skills building, diagnosis, referral, consultation, brokerage, counseling and crisis management. Develop, review and revise treatment plans of care with clients based on individual needs. Perform all paperwork punctually, in accordance with Medi-Cal and CBHS timelines.
5. Achieve a broad understanding of the resources and services available on site and in the community for clients with acute behavioral health needs. Provide information and referral to clients on an ongoing basis. This may include information such as benefit entitlement, drug and alcohol treatment programs, vocational training, legal services, USCIS and immigration services, health and mental health services, housing stabilization, community resources.
6. Coordinate with Housing Support Services for shared clients to become familiar with supportive housing intake and lease signing procedures, Property Management lease enforcement policy and procedures, and outreach and engagement strategies for high needs clients.
7. Provide up-to-date and appropriate documentation of plans of care, client interactions, progress toward goals, and exit plans via the Avatar electronic charting and billing system.
8. Maintain ANSA (online assessment) certification annually.
9. Ensure that there is an updated PURQC (utilization review) for every open Medi-Cal chart.
10. Participate in weekly case conferencing with all treatment and service partners and group supervision.
11. Participate in weekly individual supervision with the Director of Behavioral Health.
12. Provide crisis management and immediate therapeutic response to clients experiencing acute symptoms associated with their behavioral health issues.
13. Perform outreach duties as requested and as appropriate to build relationship and trust with residents who are eligible for Behavioral Health services but not yet ready to fully engage.
14. Collaborate with outside agencies and teams (e.g. HOT Team, Citywide, Support Services, IHSS, On Site Medical Clinic etc.) on behalf of clients to support their efforts to secure benefits, and resources that are essential to achieving established goals. Assist clients in developing and learning appropriate methods of advocating for themselves.
15. Participate in ongoing trainings provided by ECS, Community Behavioral Health Services, and other trainings as appropriate.
16. Perform data management including accurate input into the Caseworthy and navigation of the HSA ONE system and Avatar.
17. Maintain confidentiality regarding patient health information and comply with all laws of confidentiality and HIPAA requirements. Consult with supervisor as needed regarding exceptions to confidentiality.
18. Follow and make recommended changes to policies, procedures and protocols established by the Human Services Agency (citywide grievance procedure), the Department of Public Health, and Episcopal Community Services.
19. Maintain a cooperative and collaborative working relationship with the employees, volunteers and clients of Episcopal Community Services and other Service Partners.
20. Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Previous experience providing full-scope Mental Health services billing Medi-Cal required (experience with use of Avatar preferred)
2. Master's degree in social work or related field, with Board of Behavioral Sciences registration/licensure required.
3. Experience in service delivery to homeless populations, and other very low-income families and individuals.
4. Knowledge of and commitment to harm reduction practices.
5. Working knowledge of funding sources, both public and private.
6. Ability to maintain focus on organizational vision while attending to necessary and appropriate details.
7. Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
8. Collaborative work style, initiative and flexibility.
9. Financial management competence, personnel management skills, and computer proficiency.
10. Commitment to ECS's mission and to its organizational values.
11. Highest integrity in serving diverse populations with cultural humility.

OTHER: Must secure annual TB test. Must secure fingerprint background check.

Mission Essential

• Demonstrate behavior that supports the organization's mission, vision, and values.
• Adhere to all program, funder, and organizational policies, and procedures.
• Communicate effectively and model integrity, fairness, and ethical business practices.