Behavioral Health Care Clinician I/II
* * * * * $1,000.00 NEW HIRE SIGN-ON BONUS * * * * *
DEFINITION
Under direction performs a range of therapeutic assignments related to behavioral health services, including intake and assessment, the design and implementation of personalized treatment plans, and psychotherapy for adults, children and/or senior citizens, as applicable by professional licensing law, in order to meet the needs of consumers and/or families with mental or substance abuse/addition disorders; and are assigned other work, as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the journey and licensed level of the Clinician series. Positions in this class include the licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or intern (MFTI), the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or intern (ASW) and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or intern (PCCI). LPPC and PCCI must have additional training for couples and families. The Clinical Therapist II class has responsibility for performing, within the scope of licensure, the full array of psychotherapy and counseling for individual consumers, families, and groups exhibiting that may exhibit a variety of mental health and related disorders in a clinic setting. Incumbents may be required to work on the crisis intervention service when necessary to insure coverage. Assignments range from average difficulty to very complex and may include overseeing the work of students and interns.
REPORTS TO
Behavioral Health Program Manager
CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED
None
Examples of Duties
The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed.
- Works as a member of an Integrated Recovery Team with an age-based client population.
- Performs interviews of consumers, relatives, and other involved persons to gather personal and social data relevant to assessing mental or emotional disorders.
- Develops service plans with consumers.
- Evaluates and documents psychological, economic, vocational, educational, physical, health, socialization, and housing needs and coordinates with other staff members (psychiatrists, clinical supervisors, and program managers).
- Assists the consumers and other concerned individuals in understanding the nature of major psychological illnesses and their psychosocial effects.
- Assists the consumers and their families in understanding and choosing options of mental health treatment.
- Initiates and conducts brief therapy with individuals, groups, and families.
- Works with treatment team in developing and implementing interventions including case management.
- Establishes and maintains effective contacts with local area mental health resources including community members, parents, schools, residential facilities and other agencies/organizations.
- May perform specialized tasks including crisis assessment and intervention during normal business hours or after hours, and/or involuntary hospitalization procedures (W&I 5150).
- Participates in mental health conferences and local area committees.
- Prepares reports and writes correspondence.
- May provide guidance to volunteers and staff.
- Acts as a casework consultant to other clinical team members and other departmental staff; at the licensed level, within the scope of licensure, may provide clinical supervision to students and interns.
- Coordinates clinical decisions in response to operational demands.
- Conducts clinical discussions regarding complex and/or difficult cases.
- Responds to emergencies, within licensure, which may occur.
- Coordinates the flow of information and clinical data to ensure continuity in treatment and/or shift.
- Serves as liaison with other community services, and collateral agencies.
Essential Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Psychological aspects of physical and emotional disturbances and mental deficiencies.
- Characteristics of emotional and mental disorders including their effect on the individual in the community.
- Criteria for making diagnostic decisions.
- Crisis intervention counseling.
- Mental health local community resources and community support systems.
- Principles of clinical interviewing and methods of recording consumer information.
- Individual licensing law and the scope of professional practice governed by the same.
- Laws, rules, and regulations of publicly operated health and welfare programs.
- Principles and techniques for making psychosocial assessments.
Ability to:
- Work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a Integrated Recovery Team.
- Effectively apply the principles and techniques of clinical therapy, including a variety of treatment modalities.
- Analyze consumer behavior and apply treatment or counseling techniques in a coordinated care social rehabilitation environment.
- Speak and write effectively.
- Provide crisis intervention.
- Prepare clear and concise reports and interpret data.
- Work effectively with a multicultural consumer and family population with diverse backgrounds and needs.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, their families, other staff members, and mental health organizations/ agencies and the behavioral health administrative team.
- Provide work direction and training to staff.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other professionals and to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Communicate the goals and objectives of the County’s mental and behavioral health services to members of the community and other interested individuals.
Training and Experience
Any combination of training which would likely provide the required knowledge and experience is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
EDUCATION AND LICENSING
BHC Clinician I and II: Possession of a master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, counseling or appropriate related field, received from an accredited institution.
BHC Clinician I: Registration by the California State Board of Behavioral Science Examiners (BBSE) as a Marriage Family Intern (MFTI), an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) or a Professional Clinical Counselor Intern (PCCI).
Must actively seek licensure, stay in supervision until licensed, accrue hours until required number are completed, take tests when permitted and complete licensure within one 6 year cycle / BBS number.
BHC Clinician II: Licensure by the California State Board of Behavioral Science Examiners (BBSE) as either a Marriage Family Therapist (MFT) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or the Board of Clinical Psychologists
Note: Loss of State BBSE licensure shall result in termination or reassignment, if such a vacancy exists and the incumbent meets the minimum requirements for the vacant position.
Special Requirements: The State Public Health Officer of California has issued an order on August 5, 2021 requiring all workers who provide services or work in Health Care facilities, which would include the Public Health Department and the Behavioral Health Department, to be vaccinated. Employees in these departments must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination or provide a qualified Medical Reasons Exemption or Religious Exemption by September 30, 2021. Employees working in the Public Health Department and Behavioral Health Department regardless of vaccination status, shall be required to wear FDA-cleared surgical masks as required by the California Department of Public Health Order. Additionally, the Public Health Order of February 22, 2022 requires employees in these departments to have a booster dose, if eligible or be up to date prior to March 1, 2022.