Behavioral Health Counselor

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.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ECS Behavioral Health Counselors provide outreach and eligibility services to support individuals who may be eligible for Medi-Cal or are Medi-Cal enrolled but not yet receiving SMHS. Counselors also provide Community Client Services to enhance or expand the knowledge and skills of agency staff in meeting the needs of mental health clients through training and technical assistance. Staff can provide community education events, including orientation sessions to referral sources to build community knowledge about the ECS BH program. Staff may also provide non-billable services and supports to individuals receiving SMHS services from ECS Behavioral Health, including but not limited to transportation, community resources research, vocational coaching and recreational activities.


PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide coaching and support to ECS site staff to help them manage client behaviors and symptoms.
2. Outreach to individuals who may be eligible for Medi-Cal to inform them about available resources.
3. Outreach to individuals who are enrolled in Medi-Cal but are not engaging in behavioral health services.
4. Identify barriers to program engagement and work to resolve these barriers.
5. Provide community outreach to build knowledge about ECS Behavioral Health services with referral sources and ECS program participants.
6. Meet with program leaders across ECS to describe behavioral health services and resources available to support their clients.
7. Support the referral process, ensuring that ECS programs can easily and quickly refer clients for behavioral health services.
8. Provide non-billable services and supports to individuals enrolled in ECS Behavioral Health's Specialty Mental Health Services component, including but not limited to transportation, researching community resources, vocational counseling and recreational activities.
9. Attend applicable trainings and bring that knowledge to ECS program sites to enhance and/or expand program staff's knowledge and skills in the mental health field.
10. Provide Orientation Sessions to referral sources and ECS residential settings to build community knowledge about the Behavioral Health program.
11. Implement resident education sessions about mental health needs and services available through ECS Behavioral Health.
12. Complete financial screenings to determine whether an individual requesting mental health services is likely eligible for the Medi-Cal program
13. Explain Medi-Cal eligibility rules and the enrollment process to individuals requesting mental health services
14. Provide individuals with all the forms that need to be completed and submitted to enroll in Medi-Cal
15. Assist individuals to prepare, complete, and submit all the required forms to the county welfare department to determine Medi-Cal eligibility.
16. Provide benefits counseling as needed to support eligible individuals to enroll in Medi-Cal.
17. Collaborate with all treatment team members.
18. Achieve a broad understanding of the resources and services available in the community for clients with acute behavioral health needs.
19. Provide information and referral to clients on an ongoing basis.
20. Participate in weekly case conferencing and group supervision meetings.
21. Participate in weekly individual supervision with the Associate Director of Behavioral Health.
22. Perform outreach duties as requested and as appropriate to build relationship and trust with ECS program participants who are eligible for Behavioral Health services but not yet ready to fully engage.
23. Collaborate with outside agencies and teams on behalf of clients
24. Assist individuals in developing and learning methods, based on strength-based perspective, of advocating for themselves.
25. Participate in ongoing trainings provided by ECS, Community Behavioral Health Services, and other trainings as appropriate.
26. Perform data management including the accurate input into the ECS Behavioral Health database.
27. Maintain confidentiality regarding patient health information and comply with all laws of confidentiality, mandated reporting and HIPAA requirements.
28. Maintain a cooperative and collaborative working relationship with the employees, volunteers and clients of Episcopal Community Services and other host shelters.
29. Perform other duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Previous experience providing case management, benefits counseling, support counseling or similar services preferred
2. Use of a case management database or similar to document services preferred
3. Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or related human services field
4. Experience in service delivery to homeless and other very low-income families and individuals.
5. Knowledge of and commitment to harm reduction practices, prescription medication supports, substance abuse and the interactions between prescription medications and substance use.
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' mission and to its organizational values.
11. Highest integrity

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.

ECS offers industry leading healthcare benefits to support your

physical and mental well-being.

ECS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records as consistent with San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance.

ECS values a workplace where every individual is respected, supported, and given equal opportunity to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.