MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST - LIHUE, KAUAI

Duties Summary

Positions in this class provide mental health clinical services to consumers, usually diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), in settings such as, but not limited to, community mental health centers, hospitals, institutional facilities or other public health settings.

Work is typically performed as part of an interdisciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), clinical psychologists, social workers, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and/or mental health counselors. The work performed by positions in this class include mental health assessments; eligibility determinations; diagnoses, treatment including psychotherapy or psychotherapeutic techniques; crisis intervention; consumer-centered advocacy; consultation; and evaluation; and typically falls within the following areas: Clinical Social Work Practice, Marriage and Family Therapy Practice and Mental Health Counseling Practice.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Legal Authorization To Work Requirement: The State of Hawaii requires all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.
• Education: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor's degree with a minimum of twelve (12) semester credit hours in psychology, social work or other related social/behavior science.
• General Experience: One and one-half (1-1/2) years of responsible professional work experience which required a high degree of analytical skills. Such experience must have involved gathering, evaluating and analyzing facts and other pertinent information required to resolve problems and/or to determine and recommend appropriate courses of action; demonstrated the ability to elicit information orally and in writing; reading, comprehending, interpreting and evaluating technical subjects, analysis or proposals; and applying problem solving methods and techniques, such as defining and analyzing problems, identifying alternative courses of action, using judgment in determining appropriate alternatives; and preparing clear and concise written reports and recommendations for action.
• Specialized Experience: Two (2) years of professional experience providing mental health clinical services to individuals, couples, families and/or groups with mental illness(es). Such experience must have included the provision of mental health assessments and evaluations to determine current level of functioning, strengths and needs identification; development of a treatment plan; clinical diagnoses and provision of mental health services to consumers with a wide range of psychiatric and psychosocial behavioral problems.

Substitution Allowed

Relevant substitutions as described in the Minimum Qualifications Requirements, will apply.

Other Information

• The State of Hawai'i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.
• To qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer.
• The Department of Human Resources Development (HRD) will use electronic mail (email) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their applications.
• In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• If in-person interviews and/or further testing is a requirement, applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are referred to the vacancy must be available to participate in person and at their own expense in this required phase of the selection process.

Testing Information

The examination for this recruitment will be conducted on an unassembled basis where the examination score is based on an evaluation and rating of your education and experience. It is therefore important that your employment application provide a clear and detailed description of the duties and responsibilities of each position you held. In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawaii may be required at the discretion of the hiring agency.