Job SummaryThe Mental Health Specialist will be part of an interdisciplinary team that will conduct assertive mobile outreach to chronically homeless individuals on the streets in the Venice community and surrounding areas, and provide them with intensive services intended to engage them in the service continuum and ensure their linkage to services that enable them to become housing ready. The Mental Health Specialist I works as a team member with several social service professional and paraprofessional staff ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance to the rules and regulations established as well as adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Mental Health Specialist’s key areas of responsibility include:
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Utilize a harm reduction and housing first model when working with clients to have a “No wrong door” approach to services.
Provide mental health support to individuals.
Develop and maintain strong ties to the community, law enforcement, and other service providers.
Provide mental health assessment and interventions to the severe and persistently mentally ill.
Essential Duties:
Implement case management service plan goals, emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing mental health/substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, medication management, and any other risk factors that could impede permanent housing and provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goals.
Build trust and rapport with individuals. Assess individuals utilizing the proper tool (i.e. Vulnerability Index (VI) SPDAT).
Utilize a harm reduction model when working with clients with chemical dependency or abuse issues.
Link clients to physical health, mental health, and other supportive services internally or externally.
Link clients to appropriate bridge/interim housing programs and assist them in completing required paperwork in order to enroll them in permanent housing-related programs.
Keep highly organized files for each client and enter appropriate data in a timely manner.
Assist clients to enroll in mainstream benefits and obtain identification (i.e. California Driver’s License, Social Security Card).
Provide bus tokens, bus passes, taxi vouchers, and/or direct transportation as needed.
Participate in case conferencing meetings and other community meetings.
Coordinate and collaborate with other service providers or programs.
Participate in one-on-one or group clinical supervision as needed.
Conduct group therapy as needed.
Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.
