Clinician

Position Title: Clinician

Program/Dept: MHRC
Reports to: Clinical Director
Classification: Regular, fulltime, exempt
Salary: $86k - $90k DOEE & Benefits

About Us:  Caminar is a leading behavioral health organization that supports youth and adults across multiple counties in Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Caminar builds strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment, and wrap-around services, delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care. Founded in 1964, Caminar's vision is to be a beacon of safety, compassion, and fulfillment, supporting all those in our communities who need it most. Our mission is to build strength and stability through comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment delivered through evidence-based, whole-person care.

Caminar values diversity. People of all races, ethnicities, countries of origin, faiths, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities are welcome here. To learn more, please visit www.caminar.org.             

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Clinical Director, the Social Worker will provide support and assistance to psychiatrically disabled individuals who receive services at Willow MHRC, to affect both the client’s successful transition into the program and to the next appropriate level of care after leaving Willow MHRC. This position will further promote continuity for an integrated service system.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with all individuals served.
• Establish and maintain clear and effective communications with clients, ensure that their needs are met, assist them in the development and implementation of their treatment plans, and prepare them for the next level of care or other discharge options.
• Educate clients about their discharge options, including housing, education, employment, treatment, and support services.
• In concert with treatment teams from County BHRS and CBO Case Managers, educate clients about and assist clients in the completion of tasks that will increase their discharge placement options; including housing and program searches, participating in drug and alcohol treatment, gaining employment or other constructive day activity, and developing a network of support as needed by the individual.
• Provide support to client to facilitate processes to secure housing options and job opportunities as authorized by the conservator.
• Facilitate communication between clients and their treatment team/conservator/other supports to ensure advocacy for client preferences and clear communication of treatment team/conservator plans to clients regarding discharge placement.
• Coordinate discharge placement referrals with treatment teams/conservators to ensure referrals are made early in clients’ stay and to track changes in discharge plans and referral efforts; track and facilitate the discharge placement referral process to reduce and resolve obstacles in the process.
• Report status of discharge plan and progress towards discharge date to FUM team.
• Ensure that discharge plan is created with and authorized by County BHRS Facilities Utilization Management (FUM) representatives. Update FUM representative throughout the stay of any status changes in client’s well-being that would affect discharge plan timelines.
• Develop, maintain, and advance excellent working relationships with client’s established treatment, service, and support providers, including case managers, conservators, probation and parole officers, social workers, family, and FUM.
• Develop, maintain, and advance excellent relationships with providers of housing and program placements, including transitional programs, shelters, board and cares, skilled nursing facilities, the county housing authority, and Caminar’s housing coordinator.
• Complete psychosocial admission assessment and discharge summary. Document weekly program progress notes and participate in treatment plan reviews.
• Coordinate the schedule of client discharges with program admission needs, working closely with FUM and outpatient case manager, tracking progress of plan for transition and discharge according to set timelines.
• Assist program management in ensuring compliance with all agency policies and procedures, contractual agreements, licensing and certification requirements, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Provide one-to-one and group counseling to program clients, as assigned and as necessary.
• Provide accurate, timely, and complete transfer of program and client information to other staff during shift changes.
• Provide crisis intervention as necessary.
• Assist program management to create and maintain a safe and legal working environment free of hostility, harassment, and discrimination.
• Participate in staff and supervision meetings and attend other meetings, as assigned.
• Attend training events as assigned, completing a minimum of twenty (20) hours of in-service training annually.
• Promote within the agency and the public the philosophy and practice of social rehabilitation.
• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork-oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Maintain registration or license with BBS required to provide the functions of this position
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills: Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.

• Master’s degree in social sciences, psychology or related behavioral health field is required.  Must be BBS license eligible.  ASW/AMFT strongly preferred.
• Must have a minimum of two (2) years of full-time experience, or its part-time equivalent, working in a mental health program serving persons with severe and persistent mental disabilities. Such experience shall be in the direct provision of services to a program's identified clients or residents. A bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology, social work or behavioral sciences may be substituted for the two (2) years of full-time work experience or its part-time equivalent.
• Experience working in a County System of Care and knowledge of San Mateo local resources is preferred.
• Must have excellent computer skills, including extensive work with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, et cetera).
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to always represent the organization in a positive manner.
• Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
• Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Customer Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs, and solicits customer feedback to improve service.
• Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills, and conducts meetings.  Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.
• Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and can deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction, and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects.

Position Requirements:

• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs., and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods.
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.

Essential Requirements:

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
• This position may require limited, occasional, or frequent driving.  If required, a valid California driver's license, a reliable personal vehicle, and current personal auto insurance is required by law.  In addition, an MVR sufficient to obtain and maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements.
• Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
• If applicable, a personal cell phone with reliable service and a data plan to use for business purposes.
• May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.