Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS)

Position Summary

Brighter Horizon Treatment Center (BHTC) is seeking a qualified Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS) to provide specialty mental health rehabilitative services within our Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP).

The MHRS delivers Medi-Cal billable rehabilitative services under the direction of a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) and in accordance with the client’s Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP). Services focus on skill development, behavioral stabilization, emotional regulation, and functional improvement to support youth in achieving permanency and successful community integration.

This position must adhere to California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS), and county contract requirements.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical & Rehabilitative Services (Medi-Cal Billable)

• Provide Mental Health Rehabilitation services consistent with Medi-Cal SMHS guidelines.
• Deliver skill-building interventions addressing:
• Emotional regulation
• Behavioral management
• Interpersonal effectiveness
• Daily living skills
• Community functioning
• Implement interventions identified in the Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) under the supervision of licensed clinical staff.
• Facilitate individual and group rehabilitative sessions within the STRTP milieu.
• Support youth experiencing behavioral crises and assist with implementation of safety and crisis stabilization plans.
• Reinforce therapeutic goals within daily residential programming.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete same-day service documentation in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Ensure documentation includes all Medi-Cal required elements:
• Service type (Rehabilitation)
• Date of service
• Start and end time (or total minutes)
• Location of service
• Specific intervention provided
• Client response to intervention
• Progress toward treatment goals
• Utilize appropriate ICD-10 diagnosis codes as assigned by licensed clinicians.
• Maintain documentation in compliance with DHCS, county behavioral health, and audit standards.
• Participate in chart audits and quality assurance processes as required.

Collaboration & Care Coordination

• Participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings and interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Coordinate with licensed clinicians, Head of Services, case managers, and residential staff to ensure integrated care delivery.
• Support permanency planning and transition goals.
• Communicate changes in client presentation to supervising licensed staff promptly.

Minimum Qualifications

• Meets California DHCS qualifications for Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS).
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, behavioral science, or related field (or qualifying experience per Medi-Cal guidelines).
• Experience working in STRTP, residential treatment, or youth behavioral health settings preferred.
• Knowledge of Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) documentation standards.
• Experience providing behavioral interventions and skill development services to youth with trauma histories, mood disorders, behavioral disorders, or developmental disabilities.
• Ability to document services clearly, accurately, and in alignment with medical necessity standards.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Regulatory & Billing Compliance Expectations

• Services must meet medical necessity criteria as defined under Medi-Cal SMHS.
• Documentation must support billable rehabilitation services and withstand county and DHCS audits.
• All services must be tied directly to treatment plan goals and measurable functional impairments.
• Non-billable activities (e.g., supervision, administrative tasks) must be clearly distinguished from billable services.

Work Environment

This position operates within a 24-hour STRTP residential setting serving youth with significant behavioral health needs. The role requires active engagement in the therapeutic milieu and the ability to respond appropriately to crisis situations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $29.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: In person