Behavioral Health Clinician I

Behavioral Health Services Provider

Under general supervision, provides behavioral health assessments, intervention, and recovery services to clients and their families; develops treatment plans and performs psychotherapeutic counseling, routine and emergency assessment, crisis intervention, risk assessment, and related treatment services; coordinates client care and provides consultation to caseworkers, internal staff, external agencies, and relevant service providers; and performs related duties as assigned. Supervision Received and Exercised Receives general supervision from the Clinical Supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Examples Of Duties

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed in various divisions/departments. Types of work performed shall be within the scope and licensure (if required) for the classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law. Some duties may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I level) positions.

• Provides individual, group, and family interventions, rehabilitation, and treatment services including counseling, therapy, and referral and linkage to community services to a variety of clients.
• Receives referrals from various County departments and programs; conducts assessments to determine criteria eligibility for therapeutic services; contacts referrals to provide information related to available services.
• Within scope of authority, assesses, diagnoses, and treats a variety of clients with behavioral health and/or co-occurring disorders; collaborates with clients and creates individualized treatment plans according to client's needs and circumstances.
• Initiates and conducts individual, group, and family counseling and biopsychosocial therapy sessions utilizing a variety of techniques and modalities; coordinates case management services in the office and in the field.
• Performs routine and emergency intake evaluations according to department procedure; completes appropriate forms and documents relating to the intake process; and prepares medical and demographic case history for use in diagnosis.
• Assists clients and family members in understanding behavioral health diagnosis, contributing factors/causes, effects, prognosis, rehabilitation, and treatment.
• Works with clients to address stressors and barriers to treatment and/or social functioning; identifies and focuses on client strengths and personal resources to effectively engage and treat client; attends meetings with schools and/or other external agencies as part of the client's behavioral health support team.
• Performs crisis intervention; evaluates individuals to identify level of stable behavior; provides support and assistance in problem resolution; conducts comprehensive risk assessments and coordinates or arranges for the provision of appropriate care services.
• As a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, provides critical clinical input related to client diagnosis and recommended treatment; presents findings and clinical observations; and makes recommendations for additional services.
• Maintains and submits accurate, detailed, and thorough documentation, case records, and notes of all billable and non-billable activities and services related to client care; completes necessary documentation for billing purposes.
• Provides resources and referrals to address basic needs and other barriers to wellness and recovery including food, housing, clothing, transportation, and other financial resources.
• Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, case conferences, joint team meetings, in-service trainings, and other staff development activities; collaborates with a variety of internal and external departments, agencies, service providers, and client/family support network to address needs and coordinate services.
• Observes and complies with County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive behavioral health program which encompasses adult, juvenile, and children's services.
• Principles, methods, and techniques of clinical diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of behavioral health disorders and illness.
• Principles, procedures, techniques, and trends of clinical and casework services, counseling, and treatment.
• Social aspects and characteristics of behavioral and emotional disturbances.
• Principles of behavioral health education.
• Principles and practices of clinical casework.
• Theories and causes of substance abuse.
• A wide variety of therapeutic and treatment approaches for persons with behavioral and emotional problems.
• Scope, availability, and activities of community resources, including other behavioral health and social service agencies.
• Current trends in mental hygiene, behavioral health, public health, and social services, including state and federal programs in these areas.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Conflict resolution techniques.
• Principles and practices of recordkeeping, case files, and records management.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Provide professional behavioral health clinical intervention, recovery, and case coordination services to a variety of clients.
• Conduct individual, group, and family counseling/therapy sessions to clinically assess, diagnose, and treat clients.
• Develop and implement treatment plans and monitor the progress of clients toward established goals.
• Understand and apply criteria for various diagnoses.
• Utilize evidence-based interventions.
• Analyze client behavior and apply appropriate treatment techniques in a coordinated care, social rehabilitation, and recovery model focused environment.
• Develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of clients to secure pertinent information and to effectively deliver services.
• Understand scope of authority in making independent decisions.
• Coordinate with internal and external treatment team members.
• Effectively utilize community resources to assist clients.
• Listen attentively to clients and address their needs and issues fairly and professionally.
• Work well with and provide services to a variety of clients in various stages of behavioral health illness/treatment; maintain appropriate boundaries, identify and nurture strengths, and support their right to make independent decisions as appropriate.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to the work performed.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in counseling, social work, psychology, marriage and family counseling, or a closely related field.
• No experience required.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, valid registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), to be maintained throughout employment.

Physical Demands Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 1