Mental Health Clinician I/Ii/Iii

Description

The posted salary reflects the 7% increase effective October 1, 2023. An additional 6% salary increase will occur in October 2024. Increased County contributions to medical will be in effect starting January 1, 2024.

DEFINITION

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.

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN I :

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

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 responsibilities 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.

REPORTS TO

Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor or designee.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

This is not a supervisory classification.

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN II:

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

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

Assistant Director of Behavioral Health, Director of Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor or designee.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

This is not a supervisory classification

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICAN III:

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is an advanced journey-level professional providing mental health services as part of a multi-disciplinary team under general supervision. Increments in this classification demonstrate a greater skill and depth of the job knowledge in the assortments, and are able to independently perform most complex clinical and case management assignments. Individuals that occupy the level-III have possessed the BBS licensed clinician credentials designation (LCSW, or LMFT) for a minimum of one year. 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. Demonstrates leadership within the multi-disciplinary team.

Incumbents in the Level

• III classification series may be required and assigned to provide consultation for other Mental Health Clinicians in the Mental Health Clinicians at the level-I and II in the clinician series. Incumbents in the Level-3 classification series after hour's crisis response duty s may also be assigned to be a clinical consultant for other clinicians that may include being the clinical consult contact staff as needed, for other clinicians fulfilling after hours crisis response duty.

Incumbents in the Level-III classification series may also be assigned to fulfill after hours crisis response duty.

REPORTS TO

Assistant Director of Behavioral Health, Director of Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor or designee

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

This is not a supervisory classification. May serve as lead clinician.

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN I/II/III

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.)

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN I/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

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN III:

• Independently assess, evaluates, and provides mental health and/or substance abuse services including individual, group, and family therapy/counseling, rehabilitation, crises intervention, and case management services for persons with serious mental illnesses or youth with serious emotional disturbance utilizing culturally sensitive, client/family-centered, strength-based well ness and recovery models of service delivery.

• 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; collaborates with other support agencies and community organizations.

• 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;

• Assist in the development and monitoring of policies and procedures as assigned.

• Performs crisis intervention;

• Performs involuntary hospitalization assessments and arranges for hospitalization, if necessary, may serve as an expert witness in court cases;

• Develops and participates in training on a verity of topics such as cultural competency, clinical practice, compliance, treatments planning, case management and makes presentations to local agencies and community groups regarding issues related to mental health and or substance abuse.

• 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:

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN I:

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

Experience: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.

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN II:

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

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.

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN III:

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

Experience: One year as a Mental Health Clinician II 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

Must possess and maintain a valid California License as a Clinical Social Worker or as a Marriage and Family Counselor.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge Of/Ability To

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN I/II/III:

Knowledge of:

• 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:

• 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

The contents of this class specification shall not be construed to constitute any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee, nor shall it constitute a contract of employment. The County of San Benito assumes no responsibility beyond the general accuracy of the document, nor does it assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained herein. The contents of this specification may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a "meet and confer" process and are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in effect.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all County of San Benito employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.