Behavioral Health Specialist - Unlicensed - San Francisco, CA

Job Description

Job Description

Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNorCal)is seeking an Unlicensed Behavioral Health Specialist based in San Francisco, CA. This is a full-time, hybrid position working 40 hours per week. 

PPNorCal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 100% employer-paid medical insurance for full-time employees, 75% coverage for dependent children, 25% coverage for spouses/domestic partners, dental and vision insurance, employer-paid life and long-term disability coverage, earned time off (ETO) and paid sick time accrued based on hours worked, a 403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match after 12 months, and 10 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays each year. 

Work Schedule:

Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

This position is currently represented by SEIU Local 1021. 

SUMMARY

Integrated behavioral health services at Planned Parenthood Northern California ensure that our clients receive timely access to clinically appropriate behavioral health care and/or specialty mental health care services as needed. The behavioral health specialist is responsible for maintaining an integrated service delivery system within their health center and managing the mild to moderate behavioral health needs of clients seeking support. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide brief psychosocial assessments in warm hand-off situations in an effort to identify and address mental and behavioral conditions that will impact a client’s physical or mental health either immediately or over time.
• Utilize targeted intervention strategies to address identified stressors and deficits; such strategies may include behavioral medicine and evidence based treatments for medical and mental health conditions, CBT, solution-focused counseling and Motivational Interviewing.
• Design and implement a multidisciplinary treatment and/or follow-up plan.
• Assess client safety and risks and report according to California legal mandates. 
• Manage voicemail and referrals from in-house, primary care providers and contracted health plans. 
• Schedule consultation, follow-up and on-going appointments per contractual and regulatory requirements pertaining to appointment access. 
• Participate in consultation and co-management with primary care providers in the treatment of medical and mental health conditions in shared clients, per contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a thorough treatment record in EHR.
• Maintain job knowledge and skills by attending workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing professional networks and participating in professional societies.
• Attend clinical supervision in accordance with BBS regulations for MFT interns. Minimum requirement: two hours, twice per week. 
• Active participation in the advancement of PPNorCal’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

This position has no supervisory responsibilities. 

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master’s Degree in counseling, social work, or psychology and registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an intern is required. Experience in a community clinic and in reproductive health care is desirable.

LANGUAGE SKILLS 

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the PPNorCal organization. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. 

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

COMPUTER SKILLS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software. Knowledge/experience with EHR or EPM systems preferred. Experience with NextGen EHR system preferred.

PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI) ACCESS REQUIREMENT

As required for health care operations and patient treatment.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

This position is intended for graduates of a MFT, Social Work, or Psychology program and in pursuit of hours towards licensure (i.e. “unlicensed”) and registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences with an intern number. 

OTHER SKILLS, ABILITIES, QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to working with low-income and culturally-diverse clients with an emphasis on prevention and empowerment.
• Ability to maintain focus on immediate high risk areas and provide referrals as needed. 
• Ability to quickly establish rapport with all clients.
• Ability to deal with non-verbal communication effectively. 
• Ability to maintain strong personal boundaries. 
• Dedication to quality healthcare & excellent customer service.
• Ability to employ creative problem solving skills with limited resources.
• Ability to work in a busy environment, often under pressure, without compromising accuracy, attention to detail, and courtesy to clients and staff.
• Ability to handle communication problems with other staff and managers directly, constructively, and with sensitivity.
• Ability to represent the organization with professionalism. 
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Pay Range: The wage scale reflects the compensation that a new employee can expect to receive if offered employment. The wage scale for this position is $40.00 to $47.81 per hour, based on relevant professional years of experience.  

Planned Parenthood Northern California is an equal opportunity employer and works affirmatively to include diversity among its staff and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, income, marital status, or any other irrelevant dimension of diversity. PPNorCal values collaboration between employees of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

We provide healthcare and education services to 137,000 adults and youth every year  at 17 health centers located throughout 20 Northern California counties. Planned Parenthood Northern California offers high-quality, affordable health care to all, regardless of income, insurance, or immigration status. We care. No matter what!

Our experienced and caring medical staff gives each patient honest information and personal attention. We provide a full range of services, including birth control, breast exams, cancer screenings, medication and in-clinic abortion, pregnancy testing and counseling, prenatal care, PrEP, and nPEP to prevent HIV infection, STI screening and treatment, vasectomy and infertility services, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and more.