Clinical Social Worker (C), Adult Clinical Authorization Specialist

Job Description

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) Northeast Area (NEA) is seeking an enthusiastic, experienced, dynamic, and compassionate candidate to serve as a Clinical Social Worker (C) Clinical Service Authorization Specialist (CSAS). The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring that DMH policies and procedures are followed in the process of conducting assessments, determining clinical eligibility for DMH services, consulting with Area clinical and administrative leadership, and overseeing the service engagement process both clinically and administratively.

Please Note: This position is full-time, 37.5hours per week. The selected candidate will work from 9:00 - 5:00 p.m. Days off are Saturday and Sunday.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• The CSAS interfaces with DMH Site Office staff, primarily the Site Director or Supervisory staff, to discuss availability of DMH services pending the completion of the Clinical Service Authorization process. There is a joint interview process between the CSAS and DMH Site Office staff for some applicants, which may be in the community or at the Site Office, to respond to the service needs while determining clinical eligibility more rapidly. The CSAS coordinates the application process for Northeast Area applicants with Forensic Transition Team staff from across the state.
• Case presentations detailing the pertinent clinical information are prepared for review with the Area Medical Director for clinically and medically complicated applicants, forensically involved applicants, those age 65 and over and for some young adult applicants.
• The CSAS is available during the determination process to applicants, family/significant others, guardians, and treaters to provide information about the determination process, outline the information that is necessary for making a clinical decision, and to review possible services to address immediate needs. Written summaries for all applicants are prepared, entered into the electronic record and distributed to the Site Office staff.
• For applicants not determined to meet clinical eligibility, the CSAS identifies available alternative resources and services and communicates those verbally and in writing to the applicant. Applicants are informed about the appeal process. The CSAS conducts informal appeals and presents the findings to the Supervisor and the Area Medical Director.
• The CSAS participates in the Adult Service Authorization Team meetings to share information and resources, review procedures related to Service Authorization and problem solve as needed. The CSAS is available to provide information to callers regarding the Service Authorization process as well as to walk ins.

• A mastery of engagement and interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of the principles, theories, practices, and techniques of developmental psychology.
• Ability to develop psychosocial evaluations, to draw conclusions and make appropriate clinical recommendations.
• Knowledge, experience, and attention to performing a cultural formulation interview and attending to the cultural components of a diagnostic formulation.
• Experience with gathering information through questioning and observing individuals, and by examining records and documents.
• The capacity to establish and maintain professional working relationships with others.
• Ability to provide oral and written information in a precise, understandable manner.
• Skilled at interacting with people who are under emotional and/or physical distress.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with persons from different ethnic, racial, cultural and/or economic backgrounds.

• Given the population we serve, bilingual or multilingual fluency, with Spanish speaking candidates preferred