Mental Health Specialist (Lancaster)

Why Join Us

You believe that every person deserves a place to call home. You see that homelessness is a systemic issue and want to be a part of the solution. You are ready to utilize your talent, experience, and creativity towards purpose-driven work. You want to work alongside industry leaders to learn, implement, and pioneer best practices.

The Position

The Mental Health Specialist (MHS) is responsible for providing direct clinical intervention to participants (families and individual adults) in Interim Housing Site(s) or as part of a street-based Multidisciplinary Team (MDT).

• Identify participants needing mental health services through assessments, referrals, and coordination of care with partner agencies.
• Connect participants to community based and mental health care, provide crisis prevention and intervention, recommend level of care options, and support participants by utilizing evidenced based clinical modalities.
• Provide in-person individual one-on-one care and lead groups.
• Support their team by consulting on cases, providing recommendations for services and modeling appropriate interventions with members of their multidisciplinary team.

What You'll Do

• Deliver in-person clinical case management and behavioral health services to homeless individuals in interim housing or outreach teams.
• Conduct mental health, substance use, and safety assessments for identified participants.
• Forge partnerships with mental health service providers, Department of Mental Health, VA, and hospital social work teams, referring participants and maintaining resource listings.
• Lead discharge planning and care coordination efforts, aligned with Harm Reduction, Housing First, and Trauma-Informed Care principles.
• Collaborate with medical providers to ensure triage to necessary medical care for participants.
• Employ crisis intervention and conflict management techniques when needed.
• Aid in medication monitoring, promoting healthy habits.
• Provide task supervision to MSW interns, serving as a Preceptor or Field Instructor as required.
• Aid in onboarding activities for MHS new-hires, offering expertise in assessment, documentation, linkage, and safety protocols.
• Ensure accurate records via written forms and HMIS/CHAMP.
• Attend relevant staff, agency, and community meetings as directed by your supervisor.
• Drive personal vehicle in and around Los Angeles County and drive agency vehicles periodically to transport clients.

What You're Skilled At

• Demonstrated knowledge of issues facing program participants (e.g. health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, child welfare, trauma, poverty, criminal justice, resources for undocumented persons)
• Knowledge of barriers people experiencing homelessness face (e.g. chronic health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, being undocumented)
• Must be able to perform extensive charting, electronic data entry, and documentation
• Knowledge of social service agencies and community resources, including best practices of case management and mental health interventions
• Training/experience in crisis intervention
• Certifications in current evidenced based practices preferred
• Manage emotionally charged situations by providing crisis intervention in a field-based or interim housing type environments
• Experience working in a team environment. (Experience on a multidisciplinary team preferred.)
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to advocate on behalf of LAFH participants
• Bilingual: Spanish/English preferred
• Good organizational skills, and ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks and projects
• Self-directed and internally motivated
• Other
• Able to maintain and execute confidential information according to HIPAA standards
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification
• Ability to pass post offer Tuberculosis (TB) clearances
• Travel is a regular duty for this position and is required 30% of the time
• Use of a personal vehicle to travel between worksites and other locations is required
• Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and auto insurance in good standing
• To maintain a 9/80 work schedule
• Experience A master's degree in Social Work (MSW), Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) or eligible Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) program from an accredited university is required.
• Must obtain an ACSW, MFT or LPCC practice number from the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) within six months of hire or already possess it.
• Licensing hours will be offered once BBS registration and ASW/MFT/LPCC practice number have been confirmed.

What We Offer

• Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, 529 Education Savings Plan, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Legal Access Plan, Employee Appreciation Program, Company Sponsored Employee Events, Staff Development, 9/80 Alternative Work Schedule, Paid Sick, Vacation and 13 Observed Holidays, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program