Mental Health Court Therapist #1910 - Mental Health Court - Unassigned Division

Under general supervision, with a focus on high-risk individuals, provides individual therapy for Mental Health Court participants and facilitates evidence-based curriculums in group settings. Will provide critical client support to justice-involved individuals who are mental health consumers, by helping clients navigate a system of services within Mental Health Court and in partner agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Responsible for providing crisis intervention, needs/risk assessment, individual and group therapy services, and referrals for clients; builds rapport with clients. Performs community outreach via information and service referral. Develops and updates individual treatment plans; maintains and manages files, records, and paperwork associated with individual files. Works within a multi-disciplinary mental health court treatment team to monitor participants’ progress throughout the program. Attends and participates in Mental Health Court hearings and staff meetings; arranges for necessary accommodations during hearings for participants with special needs. Co‑ordinates and/or participates in meetings, conferences, and other related events to receive and convey information. Facilitates training and supervision for volunteers and interns. Works a varied schedule, sometimes including evenings, weekends, and holidays; works across two work sites; works with volunteers, community resources, and others as needed. Performs other related duties as assigned. Familiarity with applicable State of Tennessee statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies, and procedures, and applicable Federal rules and requirements. Knowledge of therapy methods, practices and procedures. Knowledge of Hamilton County policies and procedures. Knowledge of social work and mental health methods, practices and procedures. Knowledge of the basic principles of record keeping, case and records management. Clinical skills using a trauma‑informed, culturally sensitive, gender responsive framework for working with individuals and families. Independent and team work skills. Organizing, planning, developing, supervising, and managing program/events and prioritizing work with strong problem solving. Knowledge of criminal justice system, counseling techniques, and available system and community resources. Engagement skills for clients who may respond negatively to outreach efforts. Establishing and maintaining effective working relations with vulnerable and incapacitated persons, other professional agencies and the public. Tactful communication with non‑voluntary clients to establish rapport and gain their confidence, cooperation, and best effort. Effective conflict resolution and negotiation skills. Cultural sensitivity and emphasis on a safe and respectful environment for all. Managing upset and/or confrontational participants or family members. Building relationships with partners, the community and clients. Utilizing verbal and written communication in providing presentations, counseling, educational materials, facilitating meetings and providing instructions. Operating a personal computer and a variety of software applications with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Exercising good judgment and effective decision‑making. Preparing and maintaining policies and procedures. Master’s degree in social work (MSW), counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related field. Valid driver’s license. Licensure (in good standing) with the State of Tennessee as a LCSW, LPC or LPC‑MHSP. FLSA exempt position: Exempt positions are excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded non‑exempt workers. The employee in this position is paid a salary rather than an hourly wage for this position. Hamilton County Government expects the employee to complete the assigned work regardless of the amount of hours involved.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

May require occasional travel and on‑call duties. Prior to operating a County‑owned vehicle, all employees are required to complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) provided at the department level.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working in a criminal justice or court setting is preferred but not required. Experience working with a justice‑involved population is preferred but not required. Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking is preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work requires long periods of standing, walking, assisting participants; involves potential exposure to infectious diseases; involves extensive contact with mental health consumers and/or combative participants and/or family members; involves attention to detail. Work may also involve bending, stooping, walking and/or standing for extended periods of time, and lifting/carrying of equipment and supplies weighing up to 30 pounds; potential for physical harm in dealing with combative participants.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions within Hamilton County Government are considered work in‑person and require regular and punctual attendance. All positions within Hamilton County Government may require work on holidays or weekends. Additionally, irregular hours and shift work may be required, including possible extension of shift hours, at times with short notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Hamilton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. A copy of Hamilton County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) & Utilization Report is available on the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office home page. #J-18808-Ljbffr Hamilton-County,-Tn