Crisis Specialist (Associate or Licensed) Crisis Continuum

ABOUT US

At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people “I work for the County of Marin.” Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture on the Department of Human Resources website . Read on to find out more about this opportunity.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES :
At Health & Human Services, we serve our community through the values of support, unity, trust and excellence with one common goal: to promote and protect the health, well-being, safety and self-sufficiency of all in Marin. Join our team of bright, committed, and energetic people who also want to make an impact through public service.

ABOUT THE POSITION

SIGNING BONUS :
New, full-time, regular hire Crisis Specialists (Associate or Licensed) are eligible to receive a $10,000 signing bonus which will be split into two equal payments - 50% at time of hire (i.e. first paycheck) and the remaining 50% at successful completion of their probationary period. This amount is prorated for regular hire part-time employees based on the employee’s FTE. If the new hire voluntarily separates prior to the completion of their probationary period, they will be required to reimburse the County for the amount of the signing bonus received.

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES :
We have Crisis Specialist (associate or licensed) positions (Regular) available. Please read about the programs with vacancies below.

We are currently starting all new Crisis Specialists (Associates) hires at the top step: $4,170 biweekly.

We are currently starting all new Licensed Crisis Specialist hires at the top step: $4,438 biweekly.

Depending on the position, you may receive one of the differentials below:

• PM/evening shift = 7.5%
• NOC/overnight shift = 15%
• Weekend shift = 10%

You must work a minimum of four (4) hours within the defined shift to qualify for the shift differential.

MOBILE CRISIS CONTINUUM:
The Mobile Crisis Continuum unit encompasses the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) and the Crisis Aftercare Team (CAT). These two teams work closely together. All clinicians, across programs, are trained and certified to initiate 5150 applications. Both teams are expected to cross-train and provide coverage as needed. The MCRT focus is on acute crisis intervention and the CAT focus is on short term case management and linkage for clients at risk of or coming out of a behavioral health crisis.

Vacancy:

MCRT: There is one (1) regular ongoing .5 FTE vacancy. (Daily 10 hour shifts two (2) days a week, Thursday-Friday MID 11:00 AM- 9:30 PM - Subject to change)

CAT: No vacancies at this time. Subject to change

The positions will report to the Unit Supervisors assigned to the Mobile Crisis Continuum teams in the Forensic Mental Health Division. The positions are field/community-based and responsive to individuals presenting with behavioral health crisis across Marin County.

MCRT duties include, but are not limited to, providing field/community-based response and assessment of individuals presenting in behavioral or mental health and substance-related crisis across Marin County as part of a team of two. Duties as a Crisis Specialist includes answering and logging calls for service, providing clinical consultation and recommendations as indicated, information and education, as well as provision of solo response to secure and/or safe locations. With information derived from a clinical interview, nursing report, case history, and collateral information the Crisis Specialist writes a semi-structured report, develops and then implements a treatment plan for clients under their care including making referrals to appropriate agencies and levels of care based on the assessment. The position will entail a significant level of teamwork with effective communication as well Medi-Cal billing documentation. All crisis specialists are trained and authorized to initiate 5150 applications and undergo extensive training in-line with CA Department of Health Care Services. Crisis Specialists in this role must have the ability to collaborate with community partners including hospitals, law enforcement, and schools to provide most appropriate and least-restrictive level of intervention.

The positions are shift-based including weekends and may include holidays. As the program expands, days and times of shifts may change to cover increases in service delivery hours and the requirements around holiday coverage may change. Our current hours of operation are 24/7, 365 days a year including Holidays.

CAT is considered a safety net service and the duties include, but are not limited to, short term community- based case management alongside a peer counselor with the focus on linkage to long term behavioral health services. The clinician and peer counselor work to identify barriers to connection and support the clients in overcoming those barriers. This team is also responsible for developing an in depth understanding of available resources in the county and utilize warm hand-offs to ensure continuity of care. This is a voluntary service and sometimes requires extended outreach and engagement. As the program expands, days and times of shifts may change to cover increases in service delivery hours and the requirements around holiday coverage may change.

Schedule/hours availability vary depending on the department needs.

Highly Desirable: Bilingual skills in Spanish and English are highly desirable.

Bilingual Testing/Certification: Please note if the successful candidate has bilingual skills, they must demonstrate proficiency in both Spanish and English prior to receiving differential pay. A bilingual proficiency exam will be administered at that time to ensure the candidate possesses the appropriate skill level to meet the requirements.

ABOUT YOU

Our Highly Qualified Candidate:

Our highly qualified candidate will have experience working with mentally ill clients across all ages in crisis or emergent situations. They will be able to work well with a small team. The candidate will be able to organize their work effectively, as well as being able to document complex clinical information quickly, accurately, and concisely, and utilize this information to rapidly develop a treatment plan. The ideal candidate can provide a welcoming environment to even the most distraught client. The ideal candidate will have strong diagnostic and assessment skills in addition to having the ability to work with and relay information to a wide-range of clients, families, and other professionals. In addition, the ideal candidate will have experience in de-escalating persons in high-stress and/or high anxiety situations in order to maintain the safety of Patients and Staff on unit.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, trends and literature of psychiatric and psychosocial work as appropriate to one's scope of practice.
• Procedures, techniques and terminology of psychiatric and psychosocial assessment and treatment determinations.
• Pharmacology of medications and psychotropic drugs.
• Dynamics of human behavior.
• General knowledge of developing psychiatric and psychosocial treatment and discharge plans, including linking and referring clients to resources.
• Principles of clinical supervision and training as appropriate to one’s license status.
• Planning and developing specialized mental health and mental health-related assignments.
• Local, state and federal laws pertaining to mental health and client's rights.
• Mental health services provided by MediCal providers.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain confidence, trust and cooperation of persons contacted in the course of their work.
• Communicate effectively; write concise reports and evaluations.
• Assess client's psychiatric and psychosocial needs; develop treatment and discharge plans, including linking and referring clients to needed resources.
• Evaluate and problem-solve difficult interpersonal situations.
• Physically restrain and seclude clients in a psychiatric unit.
• Record observations correctly and maintain client's electronic chart with proper clinical and legal documentation.
• Guide, orient, and train less experienced workers and interns.
• Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to include staff, private psychiatrists, law enforcement personnel, community groups, family members/support persons, and other treatment providers.
• Work with system resources, other helping agencies and private therapists to provide optimum client care.
• Assist in developing and planning mental health programs.
• Provide psychotherapy for clients.

Minimum Qualifications and Certifications & Licenses

EITHER possession of a Master's degree from an accredited institution in social work, psychology, counseling or a closely related field by first date of employment OR possession of a Doctoral degree in clinical psychology or a closely related field by first date of employment AND equivalent to one year of clinical behavioral health experience under qualified supervision in a behavioral health setting appropriate to the assignment.

Crisis Specialist
From the first day of employment, an employee must be registered with the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist OR Associate Professional Clinical Counselor employees must successfully pass the licensing exam within six years from the date of employment.

From the first date of employment, an employee who is an unlicensed Psychologist is required to be waiver-eligible AND must successfully pass the licensing exam within the five-year waiver period.

Failure to obtain licensure within specified timelines will result in termination of employment. Incumbents must acquire the appropriate licensure before advancing to the Licensed Crisis Specialist.

Licensed Crisis Specialist

Must be professionally licensed by the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor OR must be professionally licensed as a Clinical Psychologist issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Psychology.

Qualified non-California residents must submit proof of license eligibility in California that meets the requirement of their prospective licensing board and be waiver eligible from the California Department of Health Care Services.

Failure to obtain licensure within the specified timelines, and/or loss of State registration at any time, will result in termination of employment.

Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver's license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County including review of a recent DMV history. At the time of the selection interview by the appointing authority, applicants will have to furnish a recent DMV driving record.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your Governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill the current vacancy, and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions which may occur while the list remains active.

Open & Continuous Recruitment: This recruitment is Open and Continuous. Applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an Open and Continuous recruitment may be closed at any time.

LiveScan:SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Candidates selected are subject to fingerprinting by the Sheriff's Department and must pass a Department of Justice LiveScan background check prior to appointment.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415-473-2095. If you have questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Cassie Folan at cassie.folan@marincounty.gov .

PLEASE NOTE: The benefits described herein do not apply to temporary (contingent) or to part-time employees that work less than 50%.

COUNTY OF MARIN BENEFITS: GENERAL
Below are some of the excellent benefits the County offers. More information about our benefits can be found on the Marin County's Benefits Homepage .

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation accrual; 12 holidays per year; and generous sick leave accruals. Additional types of paid leaves are available for some bargaining units.

Health Plan : Choice of four health plans (two Kaiser HMOs, Western Health Advantage HMO,and an Anthem Blue Cross PPO) along with dental through Delta Dental PPO, and vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is a County contribution toward the premiums (the contribution amount varies depending on coverage tier elected such as employee only, employee + 1, employee + family). Plus, the County offers excellent Life Insurance, Disability, Flexible Spending Plans, a Dependent Care Assistance Program, professional development and more.

Retirement : Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937. More information can be found online at www.mcera.org.

IRS 457 Plan : Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees.

For specific questions regarding the employment process, please contact Human Resources at (415) 473-6104. For additional details about the benefits or retirement, please contact the Benefits Division at (415) 473-2197.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

• 

• Marin County

• (415) 473-6104

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