Mental Health Clinician I/II

Mental Health Clinician

This posting will remain open until filled and may close at any time. I Under general direction, to provide assessments, diagnoses, prognoses, counseling and psychotherapeutic treatment for Mental Health Department clients; to provide education, consultation services, and training for other staff, community agencies, and the public; and to do related work as required. II Under general direction, to provide assessments, diagnoses, prognoses, counseling and psychotherapeutic treatment for Mental Health Department clients; to provide education, consultation services, and training for other staff, community agencies, and the public; and to do related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics I This is an entry level professional Mental Health Clinician classification and typically the individual that meets the qualifications for this position is an unlicensed clinician that meets the requirements to be and is registered with the State Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). Individuals occupying the Mental Health Clinician -I of the classification series typically have not completed the BBS required number of clinical service delivery hours working under the supervision of an assigned Licensed Clinician as required by the BBS. A Mental Health Clinician-I completes clinical service delivery repsonsbiltites under the supervision of a Licensed Clinician assigned by the department to provided unlicensed clinician supervision. Individuals in this job classification series have responsibility for providing a variety of mental health services for individuals and groups. Such individuals are also required to develop case service plans, identify appropriate treatment methods, and use a variety of applied psychotherapeutic techniques. Upon successful completion of State Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) licensing exams and the awarding of Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist designation, incumbents may be promoted to the Mental Health Clinician level II. II This is the advanced-level professional Mental Health Clinician classification. Individuals that occupy the level-2 have completed the BBS requirements to possess the BBS licensed clinician credentials designation (LCSW, or LMFT). Incumbents have responsibility for independently providing a variety of mental health services for individuals and groups. Incumbents are required to develop case service plans, identify appropriate treatment methods, and use a variety of applied psychotherapeutic techniques.

Reports To I Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor or designee. II Assistant Director of Behavioral Health, Director of Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor or designee. Classifications Supervised I This is not a supervisory classification. II This is not a supervisory classification. May serve as lead clinician.

Typical Physical Requirements Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.

Typical Working Conditions Work is performed in an office, clinic, home, school, or community environments; work is performed with people who may exhibit unstable and potentially violent behavior; continuous contact with other staff and the public.

Example of Duties

Examples of Important and Essential Duties (The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.) I Meets with individuals, families, and groups in clinic, home, schools, and community settings to develop client centered service plans; Provides direction for client mental health and community activities; Assists clients with understanding their problems and developing plans to resolve them; Provides a variety of Mental Health counseling and therapy for clients and their families; Works with clients' families to secure their cooperation in treatment programs; Advises clients on available community resources and serves as a liaison with organizations and service agencies; Makes referrals and other arrangements for client treatment and service, as necessary; Serves as a consultant for other Mental Health staff; prepares and present progress reports on assigned cases; Cooperates with professionals from other disciplines in the development of team and collaborative diagnoses and treatment programs; Develops recommendations for discharge and follow-up treatment planning for clients and their families; may be assigned administrative responsibilities, including scheduling and case assignments; Performs crisis intervention; Performs involuntary hospitalization assessments and arranges for hospitalization, if necessary, may serve as an expert witness in court cases; Other duties as assigned II Meets with individuals, families, and groups in clinic, home, schools, and community settings to develop client centered service plans; Provides direction for client mental health and community activities; Assists clients with understanding their problems and developing plans to resolve them; Provides a variety of Mental Health counseling and therapy for clients and their families; Works with clients' families to secure their cooperation in treatment programs; Advises clients on available community resources and serves as a liaison with organizations and service agencies; Makes referrals and other arrangements for client treatment and service, as necessary; Serves as a consultant for other Mental Health staff; prepares and present progress reports on assigned cases; Cooperates with professionals from other disciplines in the development of team and collaborative diagnoses and treatment programs; Develops recommendations for discharge and follow-up treatment planning for clients and their families; may be assigned administrative responsibilities, including scheduling and case assignments; Performs crisis intervention; Performs involuntary hospitalization assessments and arranges for hospitalization, if necessary, may serve as an expert witness in court cases; Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: Education: Equivalent to a Master's degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family counseling, or a related field from an accredited college or university. AND I Two years of professional experience working in mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and related social services in a public or certified private welfare or health agency. II Experience: One year as a Mental Health Clinician I with the County of San Benito. OR Three years of professional experience working in mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and related social services in a public or certified private welfare or health agency. Special Requirements : Possession of a license as a Licenced Clinical Social Worker or as a Marriage and Family Counselor issued by the State of California. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge Of/Ability To

Knowledge of: I Principles, techniques and trends in counseling, psychotherapy, and various treatment modalities. Biological, behavioral and environmental aspects of emotional disturbances, mental disability, retardation, and substance abuse. The scope and activities of public and private health and welfare agencies and other available community resources. Identification of individual, social, and environmental problems and their analysis and resolution in existing social contexts. Legislative and administrative rules and regulations pertaining to Lanterman-Petris-Short and Short-Doyle services. Ability to: I Perform a variety of complex psychiatric social work and psychotherapy for Mental Health Department clients. Develop clear and comprehensive case records and documentation. Develop and maintain cooperative, constructive relationships with families of clients, members of other professional disciplines, social agencies, and other staff. Prepare treatment plans, client treatment recommendations, and a variety of reports. Organize and manage a caseload. Define a therapist's role and deal with clients in a variety of circumstances and settings in accordance with professional standards and ethics. Conceptualize and prioritize the problems of mentally disordered persons, determining their needs, services, and appropriate treatment methods. Integrate a number of clinical approaches into a treatment plan. Recognize a potential crisis and deliver crisis intervention services. Handle stress and unstable client behavior. Work with people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Effectively represent the Mental Health Department in contacts with clients, the public, community organizations, other County staff, and other government agencies II Perform a variety of complex psychiatric social work and psychotherapy for Mental Health Department clients. Develop clear and comprehensive case records and documentation. Develop and maintain cooperative, constructive relationships with families of clients, members of other professional disciplines, social agencies, and other staff. Prepare treatment plans, client treatment recommendations, and a variety of reports. Organize and manage a caseload. Define a therapist's role and deal with clients in a variety of circumstances and settings in accordance with professional standards and ethics. Conceptualize and prioritize the problems of mentally disordered persons, determining their needs, services, and appropriate treatment methods. Integrate a number of clinical approaches into a treatment plan. Recognize a potential crisis and deliver crisis intervention services. Handle stress and unstable client behavior. Work with people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Effectively represent the Mental Health Department in contacts with clients, the public, community organizations, other County staff, and other government agencies