Psychiatric Social Worker I/II - Mobile Clinics – Limited Term (Open)

County of San Mateo; California; On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a compassionate Psychiatric Social Worker I/II for their Mobile Clinics. This role involves providing essential mental health and case management services to adults experiencing homelessness. The ideal candidate will engage clients in therapeutic interventions, conduct screenings, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance service delivery. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to health equity and make a meaningful impact in the community. This limited-term position offers a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth, ensuring that your contributions help shape the future of mental health services.

Benefits

Medical and Dental Benefits

Defined Contribution Retirement Plan

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in clinical social work with diverse populations.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality and ethics in mental health.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach visits to encampments and shelters.
• Perform mental health and substance use screenings.
• Develop individualized treatment plans for clients.

Skills

Therapy and Case Management

Mental Health Assessment

Motivational Interviewing

Client Engagement

Collaborative Care Coordination

Education

Master's Degree in Social Work

Tools

Electronic Medical Records

Screening Tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7)

Job description

San Mateo County Health is seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position ofPsychiatric Social Worker I/II – Mobile Clinics.

The Public Health, Policy and Planning division of San Mateo County is dedicated to advancing health equity and well-being, in collaboration with our communities and through partnerships, for those that live, work, learn and play in San Mateo County.

Under general supervision, the Psychiatric Social Worker I/II will work approximately 40 hours per week, providing a wide variety of medical and mental health case management and therapeutic services to adults experiencing homelessness in certain encampments within San Mateo County. Responsibilities include direct client-facing work as well as coordination and collaboration with the Clinics’ psychiatrist and medical team. The direct care role requires client engagement, screening, assessment, evaluation, and psychotherapy, with a focus when appropriate on harm reduction therapeutic interventions and support services.

The Position

The position will be embedded at the Public Health, Policy and Planning Mobile Clinics for our Encampment Resolution Funding grant which is housed at Building A on the San Mateo Medical Center Campus, with most client-facing work happening in the field/community throughout the county with hours Monday through Friday.

Key responsibilities include conducting outreach visits to encampments and shelters; performing mental health and substance use screenings using tools such as PHQ-9, GAD-7, PQ-B, and DAST-10; and facilitating screenings for chronic medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension in partnership with street medicine providers. Additional duties include engaging clients in motivational interviewing and client-centered goal setting, conducting initial diagnostic evaluations, and developing individualized treatment plans. The position also involves collecting and analyzing psychosocial and medical data, providing basic health education, making referrals to mental health and substance use disorder resources, and coordinating care across internal and external providers. Collaboration with ERF team members is essential to maximize service delivery and reduce duplicative efforts. Participation in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings will further support comprehensive, integrated care for ERF clients.

There are currently two limited term vacancies in the Public Health, Policy and Planning Division

This is a limited term, at-will position that is expected to last three-years. Limited Term Employees are assigned to assignments not to exceed three years. They receive medical and dental benefits, similar to regular employees, and a defined contribution retirement plan.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have significant knowledge, skills, experience, and training in providing therapy and case management; assessing and evaluating adult clients with mental health and substance use issues; determining appropriate referrals and recommending treatment plans; documenting in electronic medical records; building and maintaining trusting clinical engagement and relationships; working with collaborative partners and on the street, in shelters or other community-based settings; and demonstrating strong understanding of confidentiality and ethics.

Three yearsof experience in clinical social work, psychotherapy, or a related field, particularly with diverse populations affected by mental health and substance use issues is highly desirable.

Note: The level and scope of the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below are related to job duties as defined under Distinguishing Characteristics.

Knowledge of:

• Current philosophy, principles, and practices for services to clients with serious mental illness.
• Individual, group and family psychodynamics as they relate to adults or children.
• Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology.
• Personality development from infancy through adulthood.
• Human and health services systems in the County including private agencies and other community resources.

Skill/Ability to:

• Provide treatment to adults, children or adolescents with various mental disabilities ranging from serious mental illness to dysfunctional behavior patterns, including victims of sexual or physical abuse.
• Set realistic treatment goals and facilitate their attainment.
• Evaluate the degree of mental disability or emotional distress of patients/clients.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Provide consultation and technical assistance to agencies, schools and other organizations.
• Work collectively within a multi-disciplinary team.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Master's degree in Social Work, Social Welfare or a closely related field.

Licensure/Certification:

• Psychiatric Social Worker I: Registration with the Board of Behavioral Examiners as an intern. An individual hired in this classification must become licensed within six years from the date of employment as a Clinical Social Worker issued by the State of California.
• Psychiatric Social Worker II: Current California license as a Clinical Social Worker.

Special Requirements:

• Individuals in this classification assigned to an on-site school program are required to meet any specialized requirements (i.e., Pupil Personnel Services credential) as stipulated by federal and state laws and regulations.
• Individuals assigned to Canyon Oaks Youth Center, must have the ability to complete 40 hours of mandated training annually.

If you are interested in being considered for this limited term position the following items must be submitted via e-mail:

• Cover letter with responses to Supplemental Questions (maximum of 2 pages)
• Resume

Supplemental Questions:

1. Possession of one of the following registrations or licenses is required for this position:

   • Psychiatric Social Worker I: Registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an intern. An individual hired in this classification must obtain licensure as a Clinical Social Worker issued by the State of California within six years from the date of employment.

   • Psychiatric Social Worker II: Current California license as a Clinical Social Worker.
     
     Which of the above do you possess? If you have a current California license as a Clinical Social Worker, please attach a copy of your license with your submission.

2. Describe your experience working with people experiencing homelessness. What was your role and what services did you provide?
3. Describe your experience working with multi-disciplinary clinical teams.What was the specific clinical environment, the role you played, and how did you facilitate successful outcomes for individuals and the larger population?
4. How do you work to engage your clients/patients in trusting relationships giving complex medical and life circumstances. What strategies do you employ to maintain boundaries with those clients?

Please include the words "Psychiatric Social Worker I/II - Mobile Clinics - Limited Term Position" in the subject line of email submission. All submitted materials must be in a Word or PDF format. Please submit the above listed materials via email to:

Anessa Farber, Public Health Clinics Manager

[e-mail]

Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, and well-qualified candidates will be contacted by the department for an interview.

Apply immediately. Application materials will be accepted until position is filled. This posting is open on a continuous basis and selection may be made at any time within the process.

NOTE:Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted. Submittals that do not include all required elements (cover letter with responses to supplemental questions and a resume) will not be considered.

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.

HR Analyst: Ximena Burns (042425) (Psychiatric Social Worker I/II - G040/G035)