MENTAL HEALTH CLIENT SPECIALIST I & II

Job Specifications

Class Code:	NP5/NP6
Analyst:	LR/JS; MM; JES

Date Originated:	10/90
Date Revised:	9/11; 9/21

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, to provide a variety of professional mental health and/or substance use disorder services and related administrative functions in support of clients and their families, including case management/care coordination, short term crisis intervention, evaluation, counseling, and/or assisting in the implementation of appropriate treatment or service plans; and to do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Mental Health Client Specialist I

This is the entry level in the professional Mental Health/Substance Use series and performs duties under the supervision of a mental health licensed or certified substance use disorder clinical supervisor. Incumbents perform case management/care coordination and/or crisis intervention, short term support, counseling to implement assigned client treatment plans. Clients include children or adults experiencing serious mental illness, a substance use disorder or severe emotional disturbance. Clients may also be in crisis or experiencing chronic illness or may have involvement with the criminal justice system. The Mental Health Client Specialist I class is distinguished from the lower-level classification of Community Mental Health Aide in that the latter assists professional Mental Health staff in providing client services. This classification is distinguished from the higher-level classification of Mental Health Client Specialist II in that the latter has a higher level of experience and/or educational requirements and is assigned to crisis intervention teams.

Mental Health Client Specialist II

This is the journey level in the professional Mental Health/Substance Use series. Incumbents are mental health license eligible and actively pursuing a full license from the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners (BBS) or have a higher level of experience in providing crisis intervention services. The Mental Health Client Specialist II is distinguished from the lower-level classification of Mental Health Client Specialist I by either a higher level of educational requirements and/or specific experience requirements in providing crisis intervention services in the community or in an inpatient setting. The incumbent’s assignment is to provide crisis intervention services with mobile emergency response or law enforcement/emergency medical co-response, walk-in crisis and/or street medicine or outreach. This includes programs such as Access Program which provides assessment and crisis intervention to individuals presenting as a walk-in for crisis services and requests for treatment. This classification is distinguished from the higher-level classification of Senior Mental Health Client Specialist I in that the latter requires licensing and provides intensive therapy and treatment in more complex cases.  

TYPICAL TASKS

Mental Health Client Specialist I & II

• Interview clients to assess and evaluate the clients' problems, provide crisis intervention, and determine treatment or rehabilitation needs;
• Gather and analyze information on clients' presenting circumstances, social, substance use and psychiatric history, and/or immediate needs;
• Determine need and eligibility for psychiatric hospitalization or other treatment, making recommendations and referrals within the Agency or to other programs and agencies as appropriate;
• Provide continuing case management services to evaluate the client and/or family in order to support the client at the most independent level in the least restrictive setting possible;
• Serve as Coordinator of client service plans which address the psychosocial needs with client input which may include housing, employment, education, financial, legal, and social needs;
• Prepare case histories and assessments or service plans;
• Provide individual, group and family mental health/substance abuse sessions as assigned, under the direct supervision of a licensed or substance abuse certified staff member.
• Prepare a variety of administrative records, reports, correspondence, and other documentation and maintain client records;
• Communicate and/or consult with a variety of organizations, agencies, programs, and individuals in obtaining necessary treatment approaches and/or support services for clients, assisting clients to meet their basic needs and improve their current situations;
• Work with other agencies to identify, promote and develop needed health care services;
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service training, team treatment sessions, conferences, and workshops;
• Consult with supervisor, team members, and other professional staff concerning client caseload and/or assigned functions;
• Arrange for emergency treatment and/or detention or out-of-home placement and care as necessary;
• Input and access data using a computer.

Mental Health Client Specialist II

• All of the above;
• Respond to initial requests for treatment and evaluation for medical necessity criteria for treatment which may include crisis assessments or crisis response in the office or in in the community, clinical assessments with evidence-based risk assessment of danger to self or others including determination of grave disability, and determination of the appropriate level of care and referrals, under the supervision and authority of a licensed clinician;
• Assess for and initiate a 5150 and 5585 holds for adults and children, in the office, the community, crisis stabilization programs, or the hospital emergency department, and lifting of holds when clinically indicated following an assessment, under the supervision and authority of a licensed clinician;
• Provide emergency assessments with law enforcement or emergency medical services as a co-responder for individuals in crisis or see walk-in patients who are in crisis through the Access or Mobile Emergency Response Team (MERT) Program or similar programs, under the supervision and authority of a licensed clinician.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Mental Health Client Specialist I

Working knowledge of:

• Symptoms and behaviors of major mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders.
• Basic social rehabilitation, socialization, and practical life management skills.
• Psychosocial aspects and characteristics of emotional disturbances, substance use disorders and mental illness.
• Principles and methods of interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention and assessing psychosocial behaviors.
• Human behavior and development.
• Problems, attitudes, and needs of the emotionally or socially disturbed.

Some knowledge of:

• Community resources.
• Pharmacology of medications and psychotropic drugs.
• Laws and regulations as they pertain to clients' rights.

Mental Health Client Specialist II

Thorough knowledge of:

• All of the above.
• Crisis intervention and crisis de-escalation models.

Working knowledge of:

• Welfare and Institution Codes 5150 and 5585.

Ability to:

Mental Health Client Specialist I & II

• Assess clients' behavioral, substance use and emotional problems/conditions, making knowledgeable recommendations and/or designing appropriate service plans.
• Interview clients and record pertinent information in an effective manner, obtaining accurate social, personal, and psychosocial information.
• Conduct effective individual and group mental health/substance use disorder services with assigned clients including adults with serious mental and/or substance use disorders, individuals in crisis, and/or children with emotional disturbance and/or substance use disorders under supervision.
• Participate effectively with assigned treatment or case management team.
• Prepare a variety of administrative and professional reports.
• Learn the appropriate laws, regulations, Agency policies and procedures of health and social service programs.
• Communicate effectively and persuasively in both oral and written form.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Learn to input and access data utilizing a computer.
• Distinguish speech and non-speech sounds in noisy environments.
• Intervene and diffuse situations involving combative clients which may include active restraint if needed.
• Stand and walk for extended periods of time may be required for some positions.

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Mental Health Client Specialist I

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, psychology, or other mental health related field.

  AND

  Two years full-time experience in a recognized public or private agency providing mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, psycho-social assessment, or case management services to individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or emotional disturbance.

  OR

• An associate’s degree from an accredited college in counseling, psychology, social work, or closely related field.

  AND

  Four years full-time experience in a recognized public or private agency providing mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation, or case management services to individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or emotional disturbance.

Mental Health Client Specialist II

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, counseling, or closely related behavioral science field.

  AND

  One year as a Mental Health Client Specialist I or equivalent experience.

  OR

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, or closely related behavioral science field.

  AND

  Three years full-time experience in a recognized public or private agency providing mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, psycho-social assessment, or case management services to individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, or emotional disturbance, which includes a minimum of two years’ experience in providing crisis intervention services in the community or in an inpatient psychiatric program.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

Mental Health Client Specialist I

• License Requirement: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
• Alcohol and Drug Assignment:  All persons providing alcohol and drug counseling services within the Alcohol and Drug Program must be certified as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor OR be licensed as a mental health professional, OR within six (6) months of the date of hire, all non-licensed individuals, pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Division 4, Chapter 8, Subchapter 2, or non-certified individuals providing counseling services in an AOD program, must be registered to obtain certification as an AOD counselor by one of the approved certifying organization (CCR, Section 13035(f).

Mental Health Client Specialist II 

• All of the above.
• Incumbents pursuing full licensure must provide proof of registration as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW), or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APPC) within 90 days of hire AND comply with California licensure requirements as outlined by the California Board of Behavioral Science.

Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required.

Special Working Conditions: All assignments: Exposure to offensive odors such as unwashed people and clothes, human and animal feces; the possibility of infections which may cause chronic disease or death; hostile or violent individuals; and may be exposed to cigarette smoke. Juvenile Hall and Acute/Emergency Services assignments: Exposure to noise, such as people yelling. Children's Service assignment: Exposure to disturbing material, such as photos of abused children; allergens such as poison oak, insect stings or bites, and pollens. Some positions may require lifting objects such as boxes of belongings weighing up to fifty pounds. Note: Persons in this classification may be assigned to positions with any of the above working conditions on an emergency, as needed basis.

Other Special Requirements: Positions may be assigned to carry an agency-issued cell phone and laptop and respond to crisis situations and perform "on-call" or call/back duties. Work situations may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Bargaining Unit: 41

EEOC Job Category: 02

Occupational Grouping: 50

Worker's Comp Code: 0290 - MHCS I  

                                    0285 - MHCS II