Senior Mental Health Counselor

Senior Mental Health Counselor

This is a continuous filing exam. The next filing cut-off is at 5:00 pm on the third Tuesday of every month. Note: Permanent full-time and temporary intermittent positions may be available.

Under direction, to provide professional mental health treatment services for severe mental disorders in in-patient or out patient settings, including assessment, diagnosis, crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, non-medical psychotherapy, and initiation of involuntary holds; to prepare reports and maintain records related to patient or client services; and to perform related duties as assigned. Senior Mental Health Counselor is assigned the more complex and difficult cases, and the majority of positions in this class require a license. This level typically has responsibility as a lead worker, providing guidance, consultation and direction to lower level professionals and paraprofessionals as a team leader within a given shift or function, and in crisis situations.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• principles and techniques of clinical interviewing, diagnosis, and assessment
• the most current version of DSM
• theories, principles and techniques of individual and group psychotherapy
• psychological, physical and social aspects of mental disorders, chemical dependency, and recovery
• theories of human behavior and personality and techniques of evaluating, and modifying human behavior
• planning, development and implementation of comprehensive treatment plans
• Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations governing mental health treatment
• basic techniques of training
• referral sources and community resources

Ability to:

• conduct accurate and thorough assessments of client status, history, danger to self and others, progress, chemical dependency, and related mental health information
• prepare diagnoses and evaluations of mental disorders
• conduct effective professional clinical interviews
• formulate, implement, and monitor treatment plans
• conduct group and individual psychotherapy
• respond appropriately in crisis situations
• understand, interpret and apply complex mental-health technical materials and applicable laws, codes and regulations
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, families, staff, and other agencies
• prepare effective written reports
• maintain accurate records
• communicate effectively in oral and written form
• provide effective training, guidance and consultation to other staff
• assist in physically controlling and/or restraining violent and/or combative patients

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: A Master's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a mental health related field such as psychology, counseling, social work, or psychiatric nursing. AND Either: 1. Two years of post-Master's degree supervised experience in a mental health related setting providing direct services to mentally or emotionally disabled persons., including dual diagnosis and addiction issues for those assigned to substance abuse settings. Or: 2. Two years of experience in the class of Mental Health Counselor in Sacramento County service. Note: Persons who were employed by the Sacramento County Health Department and who held permanent status in Sacramento County civil service, in the class of Rehabilitation Counselor as of October 22, 1981 shall be deemed to meet the minimum qualifications of Senior Mental Health Counselor. Note: The word "experience" referenced in the minimum qualifications means full-time paid experience unless the job announcement states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements. If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Special Requirements License Requirements: Failure to obtain and/or maintain such required license(s) may be cause for disciplinary action in accordance with Civil Service Commission rules.

1. Selected positions require possession of a valid Class C California Driver License, or the ability to arrange for field travel, at the time of appointment.
2. Current certification of training in CPR is required within 6 months of employment for positions assigned to the Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment Center.

In addition to the above, Many positions require current licensure by the State of California to practice as a marriage, family and child counselor (MFT), clinical social worker (LCSW), clinical psychologist, registered nurse, or psychiatrist. Working Conditions: Duties require exposure to patients who may be hostile, violent, mentally ill, and/or who may have infectious diseases. Positions assigned to the Mental Health Treatment Center work shifts and holidays. Other Special Requirements Some positions in these classes may require the ability to communicate fluently in a language other than English. Incumbents in such special skills positions utilize the language skill in performing the duties of the class and may serve as a consultant to others in planning and delivering effective mental health services to individuals of different language and cultural backgrounds. Probationary Period The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

Benefits

At Sacramento County, we strive to provide benefit programs designed to meet our employees' current and future needs and help them as they balance their careers and personal life. County of Sacramento employees have a variety of benefits available. These benefits include:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness
• Retiree Health Savings Plan (RHSP)
• Deferred Compensation

More information can be found on the Benefits website Temporary Positions: Most benefits do not apply to temporary positions. Vacation: Generally, vacation with pay begins at 10 days annually. With increase over a period of years, the maximum annual vacation with pay is 25 days. Holidays: 14.5 holidays per year as recognized by the Board of Supervisors. Sick Leave: Equivalent to 15 days annually, unlimited accumulation. Tuition Reimbursement: Regular County employees may be eligible to receive Tuition Reimbursement. The costs for course tuition/registration fees and required books/supplies may be eligible for reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement amounts may vary depending upon union agreement. Retirement: The County's defined-benefit pension plan is provided by the County Employees' Retirement Law of 1937 and is managed by the Sacramento County Employees' Retirement System (SCERS) Board of Retirement. For more information, visit the SCERS website, Dental Insurance: For more information, visit the Benefits website Life Insurance: The County of Sacramento provides a basic life insurance benefit to all eligible employees at no cost. Additional coverage may be purchased through payroll deduction. Deferred Compensation: A deferred compensation program is available through the County 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. For more information, visit the Benefits website Employee Assistance Program: The County of Sacramento provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents. The EAP offers confidential, professional counseling services in areas such as: Legal Advice/Difficult Decisions Marriage or Family Relationships Financial or Credit Worries/Elder Care Alcohol and Drug Abuse More information can be found on the Benefits website Wellness Incentive Program: The County will recognize and award time off to eligible employees who maintain an excellent attendance record. Flexible Spending Account: The County offers regular employees two separate Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's). These accounts allow employees to set money aside, on a pre-tax basis via payroll deduction, to pay for medical, dental or dependent care expenses. Dependent Care Reimbursement Account: Employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working. Medical Reimbursement Account: The Medical Reimbursement Account allows pre-tax dollars to be set aside to pay for out-of-pocket expenses that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan. Workers' Compensation: In case of injury while on the job, each employee is protected under the Workers' Compensation laws of California.