Clinical Specialist-VB543301

JOB SUMMARY:

The Clinical Specialist is a mental health professional who reports directly to the Division VP. This position is primarily clinical and consultative in nature and provides services to all supported housing programs (both single- and scatter site) throughout the cluster. While the Clinical Specialist does not carry formal supervisory or operational responsibilities, the VP may deputize him/her to delegate and monitor certain tasks and responsibilities to staff at the Program Director level and below in relevant Supported Housing (SH) programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Assists Program Directors and case management staff to provide quality clinical and crisis management services across the supported housing system, primarily through consultation and training.
2. Provides consultation to staff on challenging clinical cases, such as those involving high-risk consumers, (i.e., those with co-morbid medical conditions, those identified as at risk psychiatrically) or individuals who present compliance issues or added complexity due to factors such as AOT/forensic status. Maintains a “caseload” of said consumers, although primary services (counseling, service planning, apartment visits, etc.) are the responsibility of the case management staff.
3. Organizes and facilitates internal case conferences as needed, working with staff to design and implement person - centered, evidence-based interventions to resolve clinical/compliance issues, motivate consumers, and determine disposition of cases.
4. Attends external case conferences on behalf of the Cluster; participates in decision-making regarding discharge planning to/from SH programs, inpatient settings, detox/rehab programs, etc.
5. Responsible for conducting risk assessments in supported housing, ensuring that assessments are completed as directed, informing the necessary staff such as Program Director, VP, etc- about status of high-risk consumers, and managing appropriate follow-through by staff.
6. Provides staff training as needed (for example, independent living skills training, and wellness activities) and co-facilitates groups- if needed- as a teaching method.
7. Oversees the clinical quality and integrity of service planning and utilization review in relevant programs. Provides staff training in these areas.
8. Participate actively in the Clinical-High Risk Meetings. Attends all meetings regarding supported housing aspects.
9. Participate in the process of determining readiness for transition to supported housing, including helping staff to identify- and address- skills training needs.
10. Responsible for participating in discharge planning and case conference meetings.
11. Responsible to conduct intakes for new admission, assessment of ADLs, etc.
12. Review documentation such as Support Plan, progress notes, risk assessment, etc.
13. Perform administrative and operational task as assigned
14. Performs other job-related duties as assigned

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

•  Ability to coordinate activities of staff and integrate as part of a multidisciplinary team
  Ability to manage multiple projects, delegate tasks and ensure completion of all tasks, assigned and delegated
• Ability to solve problems effectively
• Ability to work with consumers/residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, implement and modify a case management plan, meeting all deadlines and productivity standards
• Ability to complete written forms and reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, consumers/residents, families, and the public.
• Ability to understand and adhere to internal and external laws, rules, and policies
• Knowledge of human behavior and performance, mental processes, and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders
• Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, and societal trends and influence, cultures, their history, migrations, ethnicity, religion and other cultural dimensions of target recipients
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing services, including needs assessment techniques, quality service standards, alternative delivery systems, and consumer satisfaction evaluation techniques.
• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, regulations agency policies, etc., that govern the work of the program
• Ability to develop, evaluate, implement and modify a case management plan, meeting all deadlines and productivity standards
• Ability to conduct field work and travel

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

MSW, MHC, or Master in Psychology plus a minimum of one year of experience providing direct services to individuals with mental disabilities (i.e., persons properly diagnosed as suffering from mental illness, alcoholism, or substance abuse), and at least one year of experience providing clinical supervision or consultation.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
LMSW Social Worker or LMHC, experience in providing case management services to individuals with mental illness and substance as defined above. Licensure preferred but not required. Also, bilingual speaker- in Spanish preferred but not required.