Mental Health Clinician II

Licensed Mental Health Clinician for Juvenile Hall and Juvenile Probation

The position serves as the Licensed Mental Health Clinician for the Juvenile Hall and Juvenile Probation. The vacancy is in Ukiah. The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions, should they occur. Pursuant to current bargaining unit agreements, employees regularly assigned to the coastal region or in Covelo are eligible to receive a 5% assignment premium. Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. To receive an application in Spanish, call Human Resources at 234-6600.

Performs complex, professional level counseling services and psychotherapy functions, including: managing cases, initiating crisis management, conducting therapy sessions, and developing new programs. This is the journey level position in the series. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities include:

• Performs counseling and psychotherapy functions, including: answering crisis calls; talking with patients, one on one, identifying problems and assisting patients in reaching goals; conducting evaluations and assessments; providing ongoing supportive therapy; performing court-ordered psycho social assessments; conducting group therapy sessions; presenting findings; and intervening during patient crisis.
• Interviews and evaluates client for admittance; determines if client has potential to harm self or others; finds board and care placements and other housing for clients; assists clients in obtaining financial resources.
• Participates in treatment team, staff and professional meetings to discuss client progress.
• Prepares progress notes, charts and closing and/or transfer summaries on clients in accordance with professional standards, state regulations and department protocol.
• Maintains and provides safe environment for clients and staff.
• Initiates, coordinates and manages special programs.
• Serves as liaison and consultant with schools, organizations, agencies, parents, children, probation officers, etc. on issues concerning clients; assists families, teachers and/or counselors in identifying children with mental health problems; participates on the Mental Health Critical Incident Stress De-Briefing Team.
• Provides consultation and related services to school districts, including: participating on special teams, developing intervention strategies and supporting school staff in early identification of at-risk children.
• Monitors productivity/work flow and resolves problems to ensure deadlines are met.
• Maintains and upgrades knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars, meetings and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.
• Researches and corrects errors.
• Enters and retrieves information from a computer terminal; uses the computer system to retrieve a variety of daily, monthly and yearly reports.
• Disseminates a variety of information to various agencies, divisions, or departments via telephone, employee meetings, mail or fax.
• May serve as backup for other positions within the department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education and Experience:

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology or related field; or

Bachelor's degree when also possessing a Psychiatric Registered Nurse certification, and

Two to three years of progressively responsible experience; or,

When also possessing required licensure, a combination of related education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Marriage and Family Therapist (or) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (or) Licensed Psychologist (or) Psychiatric Registered Nurse

Knowledge of:

• Modern methods, techniques and procedures used in marriage, family and child counseling.
• Psychological theory.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Child and adolescent development.
• Juvenile justice system.
• Crisis intervention techniques.
• Community resources.
• History, theory and new trends in mental illness.
• Special education laws pertaining to emotionally disturbed children.
• School policies and procedures.
• Ethical and legal management practices.
• Patients legal rights.
• Uses and effects of psychotropic medications.

Skill in:

• Advanced counseling and therapeutic processes and procedures.
• Case management.
• Observing and recording psychiatric behavior.
• Crisis assessment and disposition.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Using a computer to accurately and rapidly enter and retrieve data and information.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Ability to analyze, evaluate and diagnose situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Ability to conduct 3632 eligibility evaluations.
• Ability to assess and intervene in high risk situations (suicide, aggression).
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and chart notes in accordance with professional standards, state regulations and department protocol.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and speak and hear; and use sound perception and discrimination.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and is occasionally required to apply a physical exertion in restraining overactive or hostile clients and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference "see résumé" will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-