Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Mental Health Head of Service / MHRS (BBS Registered)

Location: Fresno, CA
Job Type: Full Time (M-F) 11-7:30pm
Reports To: Mental Health Clinical Director
Rate: $45-48 Hr

About Z.N.D. RESIDENTIAL, INC. (Z.N.D.)

Z.N.D. RESIDENTIAL, INC. (Z.N.D.). is a nonprofit, six-bed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) serving male youth ages 12 through 17 and nonminor dependents ages 18 through 21. We provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate care to youth with significant behavioral and mental health needs.

Our mission is to build strong individuals, strengthen families, and encourage confidence. We work with youth, families, counties, schools, and behavioral health partners to support stabilization, treatment progress, permanency, and successful transition.

Position Summary

(Z.N.D.) is seeking a qualified Mental Health Head of Service/Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS) with an A ctive California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) registration or license. The primary assignment is Head of Service/MHRS. The employee may also provide clinician coverage when needed, within their legal scope of practice and under required clinical supervision.

This hands-on, on-site position manages the program's clinical and administrative components while remaining actively involved with youth and staff. The selected candidate ensures services are medically necessary, trauma-informed, properly delivered, accurately documented, and compliant with DHCS, CDSS/CCLD, Medi-Cal, county contract, accreditation, and (Z.N.D.) requirements.

Essential Responsibilities

• Oversee (Z.N.D.) approved STRTP mental health program, policies, procedures, and clinical and administrative operations while maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment.
• Participate in admission and continued-stay decisions. Ensure each youth receives a timely assessment and the medically necessary services identified in treatment documentation, needs and services plans, and case plans.
• Perform MHRS duties, including individual and group rehabilitation, skill development, plan development, care coordination, crisis intervention, collateral services, and other authorized services within scope of practice.
• When clinician coverage is needed, provide assigned clinical services such as mental health assessments, individual, group, or family therapy, clinical formulations, diagnostic support, treatment planning, safety planning, and transition or discharge services. All clinician duties must be performed within the employee's legal scope and under required supervision.
• Use trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate practices. Assess and respond to suicide risk, self-harm, aggression, exploitation, substance-use concerns, and other urgent needs.
• Monitor service quality, youth progress, staff follow-through, and documentation. Review records for medical necessity, required elements, signatures, timeliness, and billing support. Progress notes must be completed within three business days unless a shorter deadline applies.
• Lead or participate in clinical reviews, treatment-team and Child and Family Team meetings, incident reviews, transition planning, and discharge planning. Coordinate with families, placing agencies, county behavioral health, child welfare, probation, schools, and community providers.
• Develop mental health staffing, service, and training schedules based on census, youth availability, clinical acuity, and program requirements.
• Provide administrative and program supervision to mental health staff, but not BBS clinical supervision unless legally qualified and formally assigned. Coordinate with residential staff to ensure treatment strategies and safety plans are followed.
• Arrange psychiatric, medical, developmental, disability-related, or specialty services that cannot be provided directly by (Z.N.D.)
• Participate in staff training, continuous quality improvement, utilization review, chart audits, corrective action plans, and regulatory, county, Medi-Cal, and accreditation reviews.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 when applicable, mandated-reporting laws, professional ethics, youth rights, and (Z.N.D.) requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Master's or doctoral degree from an accredited institution in social work, marriage and family therapy, professional clinical counseling, or another degree that qualifies the applicant for BBS registration or licensure.
• Active California BBS registration number in good standing as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC). An active California LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC license is also acceptable.
• Must qualify as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist under California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Section 630 and satisfy the Head of Service requirements under Sections 623 through 630. (Z.N.D.) will verify education, credential, and experience before designation.
• Registered associates must remain eligible to provide clinical services under a qualified licensed supervisor and comply with all BBS, DHCS, Medi-Cal, county, and Z.N.D.) supervision requirements.
• At least two years of qualifying mental health experience working with children, adolescents, or transition-age youth with significant emotional, behavioral, developmental, or psychiatric needs.
• Knowledge of clinical assessment, treatment planning, crisis intervention, risk assessment, care coordination, discharge planning, and Medi-Cal-compliant documentation.
• Ability to work primarily on-site for the required 40-hour schedule and adjust hours when youth or program needs require.
• Valid California driver's license, acceptable driving record, reliable transportation, and required automobile insurance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all background clearances, health screenings, certifications, and training required by CDSS/CCLD, DHCS, applicable contracts, and (Z.N.D.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an STRTP, residential treatment program, foster care, juvenile probation, or county behavioral health setting.
• Experience with Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services, medical necessity, utilization review, progress-note standards, or audits.
• Prior Head of Service, MHRS, lead-clinician, program-management, or supervisory experience.
• Experience using SmartCare, KIPU, or a comparable behavioral health electronic health record.

Employment Requirements

Employment is contingent upon required clearances, credential and reference verification, and health screening. All credentials, clearances, and certifications must remain current throughout employment.

Z.N.D. RESIDENTIAL, INC. (Z.N.D.) is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, demonstrated ability, program needs, and applicable law. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law.