Mental Health Program Specialist - Behavioral Health Services Act

San Mateo County Health is seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to serve as Mental Health Program Specialist- Evidence-Based Practices & Revenue Optimization within the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) division, supporting implementation of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and advancing system-wide transformation efforts. This full-time, permanent position will play a key role in strengthening behavioral health infrastructure, ensuring regulatory alignment, optimizing Medi-Cal revenue systems, and advancing evidence-based practice implementation across BHRS. Since 2006, BHRS has been committed to building a welcoming, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive system of care that addresses the full spectrum of client health needs, including physical, emotional, behavioral, and social well-being. Recent state legislation, regulatory changes, and local innovation efforts have reshaped the behavioral health landscape. The position will help ensure BHRS remains responsive, compliant, and forward-thinking in this evolving environment. About The Role Lead Medi-Cal billing and revenue cycle improvement initiatives. Oversee initiatives focused on developing certification and billing infrastructure for contracted community-based providers. Coordinate agency-wide requirements for implementation and fidelity monitoring of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs). Support implementation of Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) and other EBP and Medi-Cal billing-related initiatives. Advise leadership on relevant policy changes to support strategic planning and sustainable, high-quality service delivery. Why Join BHRS? This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful, system-level transformation in public behavioral health. This role directly supports BHSA implementation, integrated care advancement, fiscal sustainability, and equitable access to high-quality services for diverse communities across San Mateo County. If you are a strategic thinker who thrives at the intersection of policy, operations, data, and behavioral health innovation, we encourage you to apply. Ideal Candidate Knowledge of Medi-Cal billing, managed care contracting, and behavioral health patient care revenue systems. Demonstrated ability to analyze data and develop system-level recommendations for operational improvements. Knowledge of BHSA, BH-CONNECT, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM), and other State initiatives impacting Medi-Cal reimbursement and documentation standards. Experience with implementation, readiness assessment, and fidelity monitoring of evidence-based practices (EBPs). Strong facilitation skills to convene multidisciplinary stakeholders, including leadership, clinical teams, and external partners. Commitment to quality assurance, audit readiness, and continuous improvement in public behavioral health systems. Duties Serve as BHRS subject matter expert on Medi-Cal billing, reimbursement regulations, and revenue optimization strategies. Lead patient care revenue maximization initiatives focused on improving billing accuracy and maximizing allowable Medi-Cal reimbursement. Oversee initiatives focused on developing and implementing streamlined billing infrastructure for community-based organizations to optimize Medi‑Cal eligible services, peer supports, and community-defined evidence practices (CDEPs). Facilitate an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Committee to support EBP selection, review, and policy and procedure development. Work collaboratively with BHRS Program Managers and Quality Management team to ensure EBP implementation to fidelity in compliance with state and federal guidelines. Review EBP revenue generation, utilization and other relevant data and make recommendations for adjustments as necessary to optimize billing, cost recovery, and compliance. Prepare actionable reports, briefs, and presentations to inform executive leadership strategic planning and decision-making. NOTE The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies. Qualifications Licensure/Certification: California license as one of the following: 1) Clinical Social Worker; 2) Marriage and Family Therapist; or 3) Clinical Psychologist Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years of experience as a Mental Health professional. Knowledge of: Principles, techniques and practices of program management and delivery Principles and practices of employee supervision and training Applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and County policies and guidelines Individual, group and family psychodynamics Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology Current principles and practices of psychiatric casework Human and health services systems in the County including private agencies and other community resources Various methods used in individual and group therapies such as role playing, play, art and milieu Methods and techniques used in mental health education Skill/Ability to: Plan, assign, supervise, review and evaluate the work of interdisciplinary subordinates Train staff in work procedures and provide technical and programmatic assistance to staff and subcontractors Analyze, interpret and apply various regulations, requirements and/or clinical approaches Prepare grant proposals and written reports Set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment Evaluate patients/clients’ degree of mental disability or emotional distress Communicate effectively in writing and orally and make public presentations as needed Establish and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of the work Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy and regulatory guidelines #J-18808-Ljbffr County of San Mateo