Mental Health Community Worker

Join us in Behavioral Health Services!
Under supervision, the Mental Health Community Worker assists the Mental Health professional staff by performing a variety of support tasks involving the diagnosis and treatment of mental health clients in mental health centers, the home or community setting.
The County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) strives to be a premier integrated behavioral health care provider, employer, and partner. We are a passionate team of caring, courageous staff and professionals dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals, children, families, and older adults impacted by mental health and substance use challenges. To support achievement of their hopes, dreams, and quality of life goals, our team provides high quality whole-person care and comprehensive community-based behavioral services through the lens of race, equity, diversity and inclusion. We are looking for stellar health care professionals like you to start a rewarding career with us and be a partner for health and wellness in the community.
This Mental Health Community Worker posting is being opened to create a list that will be used to fill vacancies for the next 3-4 months. Qualified applicants will remain on the list for the next 3-4 months and will be referred to available vacancies during that time. The supplemental questions on the bulletin are important for the filtering process, so be sure to select all those that you are interested in.
Please Note: Applicants who meet the employment standards will be invited to take an online written examination tentatively scheduled for the week of May 22-26, 2023.

• Assists professional staff as needed in dealing with crisis situations;
• Confers with professional staff members in order to evaluate client's needs and problems and to review treatment plans and client progress;
• May see clients in their homes or in community settings;
• May speak to community groups regarding mental health problems, mental health resources, and programs and encourages their active participation and cooperation;
• Observes clients in individual and group settings to obtain information regarding the individual's basic mental health related needs or problems;
• Attends on-the-job-training sessions;
• Participates in case discussions at staff meetings to provide feedback regarding treatment and to suggest specific courses of actions;
• Reads client's case histories and intake data to become familiar with their needs, problems, and progress;
• Attends appropriate staff and in-service meetings;
• Assists in gathering data for program evaluation and research;
• Develops a thorough understanding of the Mental Health system of care, and how to assist appropriate individuals to access this system;
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Assists in the planning of new mental health programs;
• May act as interpreter in contacts involving non-English speaking residents;
• Identifies and organizes community members interested in mental health issues and encourages them to participate in community focused mental health planning;
• Arranges for or provides transportation of clients;
• Ensures that follow-up treatment or service is made available to clients;
• Coordinates access to benefits, medical services, independent living skills, correctional system, community resources, other regulatory agencies, housing, educational and employment services and prepares relevant documentation;
• Serves as a resource person to consumers regarding various community programs by providing information and linkage to the programs;
• Assists professional staff as needed in the evaluation of client behavior;
• Participates in the instruction, orientation, and assignment of work to Community Workers;

Education or experience that directly demonstrates the ability to perform the above tasks and the possession and application of the following knowledge and abilities.
Experience Note: A qualified applicant would typically acquire the necessary knowledge and abilities with training and experience equivalent to two years experience comparable to a Community Worker

• General departmental procedures and policies;
• Principles and practices of supervision;
• Available community resources;
• Routine rehabilitation techniques in both individual and group situations;
• Basic knowledge of mental health disorders and mental health treatments;

• Explain detailed instructions through interaction in individual or group situations;
• Work effectively with professional and other staff members;
• Plan programs of moderate complexity;
• Record and maintain accurate records.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with clients and other community residents;
• Instruct, orient, and supervise the work of subordinate personnel;