Mental Health Worker I/II - Extra-Help Mental Health Worker I/II

Examples of Duties

• Plans, develops, and evaluates activities for mental health clients under the guidance of licensed, professional staff.
• Carrries out socializing/rehabilitation activities.
• Provides client supervision and assistance as necessary.
• Observes client behavior, prepares reports and serves as a client advocate.
• Conducts and participates in community meetings and conduct presentations.
• Interviews clients and makes appropriate referrals to Department programs, outside agencies, and specialized services.
• Participates in planning, development, and evaluation sessions for Mental Health clients.
• May have assigned responsibility for development/implementation of a specific rehabilitation activity.
• Performs a variety of mental health program support assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Level I: One (1) year of experience with direct patient or client contact in a mental health, medical, or human service setting. Equivalent to 60 college semester units, including at least 15 semester units in behavioral sciences.
• Level II: Two (2) years of experience with direct patient or client contact in a mental health, medical, or human service setting, including at least one (1) year with responsibilities equivalent to those of a Mental Health Worker I with Merced County. Equivalent to Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral or Social Sciences, or a closely related area.

Essential Functions

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures and regulations, develop appropriate conclusions.
• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions.
• Resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints.
• Complete multiple priority projects with conflicting deadlines.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Conduct presentations.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and move with help objects weighing over 100 pounds.
• The employee shall be physically able to handle a "take down" procedure (restrain hostile/violent clients in a crisis situation) as warranted during the course of performing their assigned duties.
• Duties require exposure to patients who may be hostile, violent, mentally ill, and/or who may have infectious diseases.

Knowledge Required

• Basic knowledge of principles, procedures, techniques, and trends of providing rehabilitation services for mental health clients and/or those with alcohol and drug additions.
• Behavioral characteristics of the mentally and emotionally disturbed.
• Various rehabilitation and educational activities useful in the treatment of the mentally ill.
• Activities and community resources, including other mental health and social service agencies.

Ability Required

• Develop and maintain the cooperation and effective working relationships with of mentally and emotionally disturbed consumers and families.
• Organize and coordinate basic living skills activities.
• Aid with development and implementation of client plan of care.
• Prepare reports and progress notes with required timelines.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers and those contacted during the course of work.
• Document client progress areas of basic living skills and appropriate use of resources.
• Ability to engage in a diverse population as demonstrated by sustaining a 65% direct service ratio.
• Problem solve and manage fiscal considerations impacting clientele as directly related to Mental Health insurance coverage.
• Write in a clear, concise and focused manner.

Why Merced County?

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