Mental Health Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

STATEMENT OF THE JOB :

Under the direct supervision of the Administrator, the Mental Health Specialist is responsible for the safety, direct care and supervision of youth clients living in our residential treatment homes.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Ensures the safety of residents through direct supervision within Summitview’s guidelines and policies.
• Implements treatment plans of residents through agency approved treatment interventions.
• Plans and supervises daily activities and outings in accordance with safety directives, treatment goals and in strict adherence to daily schedule.
• Ensures that the physical needs of the residents are met by overseeing all grooming and hygiene tasks, reporting all potential health and safety problems.
• Maintains the cleanliness of the residence in accordance with Summitview’s established standards and procedures.
• Dispenses and documents the use of medications by residents in accordance with operating procedures; monitors each resident’s progress on their medication program; and reports progress in medication compliance.
• Ensures residents eat nutritionally balanced meals in line with approved menus; assists residents in planning meals, preparing meals, clean-up and food storage.
• Responsible for ensuring electronic health records are input accurately, maintained, and current for all residents in accordance with Summitview policy.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB EXPECTATIONS :

• Follows agency policy for crisis intervention and management skills.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures including, but not limited to, HIPAA, PHI, Mandated Reporter Status & Procedures, Professional Relationships with Youth & Non-Minor Dependents, and all other Federal and State laws.
• Attends scheduled in-service training programs.
• Attends weekly team meetings.
• Sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Must participate in Performance Quality Improvement and Risk Prevention.
• Provides and practices trauma-informed care services and modalities with using empathy and understanding in treatment of individuals or other tasks assigned.
• Plans time efficiently and accordingly to complete necessary documents and projects.
• Works cooperatively with others in a team-oriented manner. 
• Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills.
• Practices good judgment and has ability to take initiative.
• Plans time efficiently and accordingly to complete necessary documents and projects.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS :

• Must possess a valid, unrestricted California Driver’s License; personal automobile liability insurance; and a driving record acceptable to Summitview’s insurance carrier.
• Must be physically and mentally fit; must be willing to complete a health screening including physical examination as required by our state licensing agency Community Care Licensing (CCL); and must have the unrestricted capacity to employ physical restraint techniques in a professionally safe manner.
• Must be willing to present a recent negative Tuberculosis test or be willing to take one. 
• Must be willing to complete and pass a Department of Justice (DOJ) personal background investigation to meet the requirements of our state licensing agency Community Care Licensing (CCL).

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 of their job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required:

• To talk or hear. 
• To stand, walk, sit, use hands, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste and smell.  
• Is occasionally required to climb or balance.  
• Must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more.  
• May have to engage in physical intervention including but not limited to dropping to one’s knees, supporting another individual’s weight, moving an individual from one location to another, holding aggressive clients, etc. (requiring sustained, physical exertion on some occasions).  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth vision. 
• Ability to drive company vehicle.

QUALIFICATIONS :

*Candidate must have one of the following combinations of education and experience.

Combination One

• A bachelor’s degree in behavioral science or related field.
• Must be at least 21 years or older.

Combination Two

• Must have a High School degree, equivalent or higher.
• Must be at least 21 years or older.
• Have two years of experience working with population to be served.

Combination Three

• Must have a High School degree, equivalent or higher.
• Must be at least 21 years or older.
• Two years of experience as social work staff in a Group Home or Short-Term Therapeutic Residential Program (STRTP).

OTHER :

• Employment is at-will.
• This position is an hourly, full-time, non-exempt position.
• 24/7 shift coverage required; shift times will vary based upon the needs of the agency.
• Direct care staff position therefore follows Wage Order 5 overtime, meal, and break period rules.