Bilingual Mental Health Associate Clinician

North Marin Community Services (NMCS) is the anchor human service non-profit serving Novato/North Marin for the past 50+ years. Our mission is to empower youth, adults, and families in our diverse community to achieve well-being, growth, and success; we envision a strong community with opportunities for all. A trusted community resource, our quality programs are grounded in stability, expertise, and commitment to effectively address the changing needs of our community. Recognized for our leadership and program excellence, we provide vital resources, educational opportunities, and economic support to individuals and families in our community. Whether in the form of short-term assistance or long-term intensive partnership, our interconnected services work together to encourage success at home, at school, and in life to over 10,000 people annually. Join an organization dedicated to providing a supportive and professional working environment. Located in beautiful Novato/Marin County/CA, our workplace culture is driven by our five values: teamwork and collaboration, equity, excellence, integrity, and learning and continuous improvement.

The full interview process consists of one Zoom screen, two interviews, and a skills assessment.

The Bilingual Mental Health Associate Clinician (Level I or II) works primarily in the San Rafael/Canal Alliance Community Mental Health Counseling Program, serving Spanish-speaking participants (both uninsured and with Medi-Cal). They may also work in both the School-Based and Novato Community Mental Health Counseling Programs at NMCS.

Hourly, non-exempt; part- or full-time positions available.

Pay Rate:

Associate Clinician I: $41.58 - $42.08/hour
Associate Clinician II: $44.26 - $44.69/hour

Sign-on bonus of $250 (part-time) or $1,000 (full-time). Generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision benefits, paid vacation and sick time, 15 paid holidays/year, employee assistance program, up to 2% retirement employer match, and childcare discount.

Essential Functions

Provider and Clinical Services:

• Conducts clinical assessments, develops, and implements appropriate treatment plans for the diagnosis, treatment, and/or referral of participants with mental health disorders.
• If full-time (40 hours/week): Works to maintain an average case load of 25 clients per month.
  • If part-time, caseload is prorated.
• Provides outpatient psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups. Instructs and counsels participants and their families regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens and adherence to prescribed medication regimens, within the scope of practice. May administer specialized therapeutic procedures, as appropriate.
• Facilitates groups and outreach events as needed, including therapeutic and psycho-education/skill building groups for youth and adults. May develop groups as needed.
• Provides clinical case management, referrals and links to further services.
• Participation in weekly clinical supervision and case consultation meetings, trainings and coordination of services team meetings, as assigned.
• Maintains relationships with school staff, as well as agencies providing service to community residents, and work with them to meet participants’ needs. Serves as a liaison between NMCS and school / community partners; reports to NMCS leadership regarding partner updates and ensures strong communication.
• Serves as a strong ambassador for the agency.
• Completes any related tasks assigned by Director of Mental Health Program and/or Clinical Supervisor. Additional duties as assigned.

Documentation:

• Prepares intake summaries, treatment/care plans, and case summaries, as well as maintains ongoing confidential records and progress notes in accordance with state, County and Medi-Cal regulations and in keeping with accepted community standards.
• Maintains records and data for evaluation purposes.
• Ensures that all paperwork and charting requirements, as well as reports are completed and submitted timely, as described within the NMCS Mental Health Program Manual and as assigned by the Director of Mental Health Program and/or Clinical Supervisor.
• Supports integrity of service contracts by monitoring eligibility requirements, as necessary.

Bilingual Mental Health Associate Clinician II:

• In addition to Associate Clinician I level duties, the Associate Clinician II may also be required to
  • take additional advanced clinical training as assigned.
  • coordinate, facilitate and monitor therapeutic groups and group needs

Required Qualifications:

• Fluent and able to provide counseling in English and Spanish (assessed via language skills test)
• Master's degree or higher in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field.
• Valid, current B.B.S. Registered AMFT/ASW (clinical supervision is provided by LMFTs only)
• National Provider Identifier (NPI); can obtain NPI prior to employment start date
• Knowledge of principles and practices of individual, group and family psychodynamics as they relate to adults or children; psychological diagnostic methods and terminology; as well as overall human development from infancy through adulthood.
• Knowledge of current principles, techniques, and practices of clinical case work for adults or children; knowledge of health and human services systems in the community including public and private agencies and other community resources.
• Knowledge of principles of mental health education, participant and community advocacy, and systems theory; principles of crisis intervention; needs, problems, and perspectives of people with mental illness, trauma related to immigration, impacts of economic/housing/food insecurity.
• Knowledge of laws and ethics; understanding of participant's legal rights.
• Knowledge of casework objectives, principles, techniques, methods, and caseload management.
• Knowledge of community resources, public social service and assistance programs.
• Understanding of clinical assessment skills with reference to the DSM-V and related clinical interviewing skills.
• Ability to maintain mental health records, including the documentation of all actions and contacts in case files.
• Basic knowledge of the effects of stress and adverse childhood experiences.
• Ability to engage participants in the problem-solving process.
• Ability to work with moderate supervision, follow directions, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and manage stressful situations effectively.
• Ability to get along with people and establish cooperative working relationships with staff at all levels both within and outside the department.
• Demonstrate exemplary customer service, strong communication and organization skills.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation and e-mail software.
• Valid Class C driver’s license and insurability at non-risk rates (pass a DMV Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check); personal vehicle for home visits (eligible for mileage reimbursement).

In addition to the requirements above, the Bilingual Mental Health Associate Clinician II must also have :

• Minimum 12 months working as a Registered Associate with BBS required or equivalent experience or completion of 2080 work hours.
• Passing score on Law and Ethics exam and be within 500 hours of licensure test.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior Medi-Cal experience
• Significant experience working with immigrant communities; experience working with Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC)
• Experience with substance use disorders
• Experience working with electronic health records
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs

Conditions of Hire:

• Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless granted a medical or religious exemption.
• Pre-employment health exam including proof of vaccinations and TB test clearance.
• Criminal record clearance or exemption from California Department of Social Services. All convictions other than minor traffic violations require an exemption, including convictions that have been expunged.

North Marin Community Services welcomes and encourages all qualified candidates to apply – especially as we recognize that people bring experience and skills beyond just the technical requirements of a job. We also know that self-doubt can sometimes get in the way of stretching professionally, so if your experience is close to what you see listed here, please consider applying. We value our differences and respect everyone – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, genetics, AIDS/HIV, medical condition, political affiliation, disability, age, status as a victim of domestic violence/assault/stalking, or military/veteran status. If you have a disability and need assistance and/or accommodation with applying for a job, please contact [email protected] or 415-892-1643 ext. 255.