BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN
Licensing and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California driver's license.
Possession of current California registration as Associate Clinical Social Worker; Marriage, Family and Child Counselor Intern or Clinical Counselor;
OR
Possession of a PhD in Psychology and eligibility for Mental Health professional licensing waiver under Welfare and Institution Code Section 5751.2 (d).
OR
Possession of out-of-state licensure as a Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist or Professional Clinical Counselor and eligibility for Mental Health professional licensing waiver under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5751.2 (e).
OR
Other person eligible for licensing waiver under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5751.2
Applicants are advised that licensing bodies do impose time limits for granting waivers. Incumbents in this classification will be demoted to Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist in the event that they are no longer waiver able.
Education and Experience:
Two (2) years of professional experience working in mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and related social services in a public or certified private welfare or health agency at the level equivalent to a Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist in the County of Lake.
Equivalent to a Master’s degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family counseling, or a related field from an accredited college or university which provides the educational basis for licensing to provide psychotherapy in the State of California.
Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN SENIOR
Licensing and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California driver's license.
Possession of a valid California license as a Clinical Social Worker, Marriage, Family and Child Counselor or Clinical Psychologist.
Education and Experience:
Two (2) years of professional experience working in mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and related social services in a public or certified private welfare or health agency at the level equivalent to a Mental Health Specialist in the County of Lake.
Equivalent to a Master’s degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family counseling, or a related field from an accredited college or university which provides the educational basis for licensing to provide psychotherapy in the State of California.
Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN
DEFINITION
Under clinical and general direction, to provide a variety of mental health services for individuals, families and groups including assessments, diagnoses, prognoses, counseling and psychotherapeutic treatment for Department clients; to assist with education and training for other staff, community agencies, and the public; to serve in “crisis intervention” situations and respond to emergencies and hospitalizations; and to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the first journey-level in the Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist class series. Incumbents must be eligible for waiver of licensure as provided by California Welfare and Institutions Code 5751.2 (d) and (e) and have sufficient clinical experience to enable them to work with a high degree of independence in a community mental health setting. This classification is distinguished from Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist in that the Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist are closely supervised and are not qualified for waiver of licensure. This class is distinguished from Behavioral Health Clinician Senior in that Behavioral Health Clinician Senior requires current California Licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marriage, Family and Child Counselor or Clinical Psychologist.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from supervisory and/or management staff, depending on areas of work assignments. Exercises no supervision over staff. May provide work coordination, training, and lead direction, as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the scope of duties performed by employees in this class and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
-
Conducts telephone or in person interviews with individuals, families, and groups in clinic, home, and community settings to develop client centered service plans.
Travel to various work locations to provide services may be necessary, as well as travel for participation in meetings, conferences, planning sessions, or events, both locally and outside the county.
-
Interviews persons requesting outpatient mental health services.
-
Prioritizes service requests according to standard triage criteria.
-
Provides initial assessment, including diagnoses and treatment plan, for assigned health clients.
-
Works with individuals, families, and groups to develop client centered service plans.
-
Assists clients with understanding their problems and developing plans to resolve them.
-
Provides individual, and group therapy for children and/or adults;
-
Advises clients on available community resources and serves as a liaison with organizations and service agencies.
-
Monitors daily progress of persons being treated in psychiatric hospitals to verify receipt of appropriate treatment.
-
Develops recommendations for discharge and follow-up treatment planning for clients and their families, including making appropriate referrals and arrangements for client treatment.
-
Works with clients’ families to secure their cooperation in treatment programs.
-
Evaluates data and consults with other agencies, as necessary, to ensure that treatment services are available and adequate.
-
Provides requisite background information to physicians involved in client treatment.
-
Provides outreach services to clients unable to travel to mental health facilities.
-
May provide transportation if necessary.
-
Evaluates persons presented as psychiatric emergencies at department clinics, hospital emergency rooms, law enforcement incidents, jails and other appropriate community locations; may authorize detention of clients for further evaluation and treatment as provided by State Code 5150.
-
Contacts staff of designated 5150 facilities to obtain admission authorization per Code requirements.
-
Participates in coordination of services with the Office of County Counsel and the Public Guardian, related to LPS conservatorship administration.
-
Prepares and maintains clinical and administrative records regarding services provided.
-
Serves as a liaison with community organizations regarding continuing care services, providing information regarding policies and procedures utilized in the treatment of adults and children.
-
May develop, conduct, and participate in training programs including the teaching of diagnosis and treatment methods for other Department and community agency staffs.
-
Serves as a consultant for department personnel.
-
Cooperates with professionals from other disciplines in the development of team and collaborative diagnoses and treatment programs.
-
May provide some direction and training for paraprofessional staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
-
Principles, techniques and trends in counseling, psychotherapy, and various treatment modalities.
-
Biological, behavioral and environmental aspects of emotional disturbances, mental disabilities, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse.
-
Methods, practices and procedures of mental health programs, including but not limited to, the areas of counseling, crisis intervention, psychotherapy, case management practices and use of psychotropic medication.
-
The scope and activities of available public and private community resources.
-
Methods used in identification of clients’ individual, social, and behavioral 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 psychiatric social work and psychotherapy for Department clients.
-
Develop and maintain cooperative, constructive relationships with families of clients, members of other professional disciplines, social agencies, and other staff.
-
Develop clear and comprehensive case records and documentation.
-
Prepare treatment plans, client treatment recommendations, and a variety of reports.
-
Organize and manage a caseload.
-
Understand 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 variety of clinical approaches into a unified treatment plan.
-
Recognize potential crises and deliver crisis intervention services.
-
Handle stress and unstable client behavior.
-
Effectively represent the Department in contacts with clients, the public, community organizations, other County staff, and other government agencies.
-
Regularly work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
-
Constantly demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, and customers/clients.
Licensing and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California driver's license.
Possession of current California registration as Associate Clinical Social Worker; Marriage, Family and Child Counselor Intern or Clinical Counselor;
OR
Possession of a PhD in Psychology and eligibility for Mental Health professional licensing waiver under Welfare and Institution Code Section 5751.2 (d).
OR
Possession of out-of-state licensure as a Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist or Professional Clinical Counselor and eligibility for Mental Health professional licensing waiver under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5751.2 (e).
OR
Other person eligible for licensing waiver under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5751.2
Applicants are advised that licensing bodies do impose time limits for granting waivers. Incumbents in this classification will be demoted to Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist in the event that they are no longer waiver able.
Education and Experience:
Two (2) years of professional experience working in mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and related social services in a public or certified private welfare or health agency at the level equivalent to a Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist in the County of Lake.
Equivalent to a Master’s degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family counseling, or a related field from an accredited college or university which provides the educational basis for licensing to provide psychotherapy in the State of California.
Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.
WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The County of Lake is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with adequate light and temperature. There may be occasional exposure?to?extreme temperatures, loud noise, fumes, noxious odors, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation; underground, confined, or restricted?workspaces; and heights more than five stories above ground level.?Incumbents may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Incumbents may also be subject to clients or members of the public afflicted with behavioral disorders or who are under emotionally stressful conditions.
Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
Incumbents are subject to "call back” to respond to urgent situations outside of scheduled work hours including nights, weekends, and holidays. Incumbents are subject to be scheduled for "standby" duty after regular work hours and are obligated to respond to urgent situations while on standby duty.
Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.
A successful candidate will be required to submit to and pass a background check prior to the appointment. Depending upon the position and/or assigned department, the background check may include but is not limited to civil and criminal history check, reference check, Live Scan, and/or credit check (as allowed under state law).
Disaster Service Workers: As members of the County of Lake Emergency Services Organization, all Lake County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to perform certain emergency services at the direction of the department and / or County.
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 Lake 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.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN SENIOR
DEFINITION
Under general direction, to provide a variety of mental health services for individuals, families and groups including assessments, diagnoses, prognoses, counseling and psychotherapeutic treatment for Department clients; to assist with education and training for other staff, community agencies, and the public; to serve in “crisis intervention” situations and respond to emergencies and hospitalizations; and to do related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the fully experienced, journey level in the Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist class series. Incumbents must be appropriately licensed as a Clinical Social Worker, Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor or Clinical Psychologist and have substantial clinical experience. This classification is distinguished from Behavioral Health Clinician in that incumbents have successfully completed all requirements for licensure and are currently licensed in California as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marriage, Family and Child Counselor or Clinical Psychologist.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from supervisory and/or management staff, depending on areas of work assignments. Exercises no supervision over staff. May provide work coordination, training, and lead direction, as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the scope of duties performed by employees in this class and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
-
Conducts telephone or in person interviews with individuals, families, and groups in clinic, home, and community settings to develop client centered service plans.
Travel to various work locations to provide services may be necessary, as well as travel for participation in meetings, conferences, planning sessions, or events, both locally and outside the county.
-
Interviews persons requesting outpatient mental health services.
-
Prioritizes service requests according to standard triage criteria.
-
Provides initial assessment, including diagnoses and treatment plan, for assigned health clients.
-
Works with individuals, families, and groups to provide psychotherapeutic services, develop client centered service plans.
-
Assists clients with understanding their problems and developing plans to resolve them;
-
Provides individual, and group therapy for children and/or adults.
-
Advises clients on available community resources and serves as a liaison with organizations and service agencies.
-
Monitors daily progress of persons being treated in psychiatric hospitals to verify receipt of appropriate treatment.
-
Develops recommendations for discharge and follow-up treatment planning for clients and their families, including making appropriate referrals and arrangements for client treatment;
-
Works with clients’ families to secure their cooperation in treatment programs.
-
Evaluates data and consults with other agencies, as necessary, to ensure that treatment services are available and adequate.
-
Provides requisite background information to physicians involved in client treatment.
-
Provides outreach services to clients unable to travel to mental health facilities.
-
May provide transportation if necessary.
-
Evaluates persons presented as psychiatric emergencies at department clinics, hospital emergency rooms, law enforcement incidents, jails and other appropriate community locations.
-
May authorize detention of clients for further evaluation and treatment as provided by State Code 5150.
-
Contacts staff of designated 5150 facilities to obtain admission authorization per Code requirements.
-
Participates in coordination of services with the Office of County Counsel and the Public Guardian, related to LPS conservatorship administration; prepares and maintains clinical and administrative records regarding services provided.
-
Serves as a liaison with community organizations regarding continuing care services, providing information regarding policies and procedures utilized in the treatment of adults and children.
-
May develop, conduct, and participate in training programs including the teaching of diagnosis and treatment methods for other Department and community agency staffs.
-
Serves as a consultant for department personnel.
-
Cooperates with professionals from other disciplines in the development of team and collaborative diagnoses and treatment programs.
-
May provide some direction and training for clinical and paraprofessional staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
-
Principles, techniques and trends in counseling, psychotherapy, and various treatment modalities.
-
Biological, behavioral and environmental aspects of emotional disturbances, mental disabilities, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse.
-
Methods, practices and procedures of mental health programs, including but not limited to, the areas of counseling, crisis intervention, psychotherapy, case management practices and use of psychotropic medication.
-
The scope and activities of available public and private community resources.
-
Methods used in identification of clients’ individual, social, and behavioral 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 psychiatric social work and psychotherapy for Department clients.
-
Develop and maintain cooperative, constructive relationships with families of clients, members of other professional disciplines, social agencies, and other staff.
-
Develop clear and comprehensive case records and documentation.
-
Prepare treatment plans, client treatment recommendations, and a variety of reports.
-
Organize and manage a caseload.
-
Understand 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 variety of clinical approaches into a unified treatment plan.
-
Recognize potential crises and deliver crisis intervention services.
-
Handle stress and unstable client behavior.
-
Effectively represent the Department in contacts with clients, the public, community organizations, other County staff, and other government agencies.
-
Regularly work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
-
Constantly demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues, supervisors, and customers/clients.
Licensing and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California driver's license.
Possession of a valid California license as a Clinical Social Worker, Marriage, Family and Child Counselor or Clinical Psychologist.
Education and Experience:
Two (2) years of professional experience working in mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and related social services in a public or certified private welfare or health agency at the level equivalent to a Mental Health Specialist in the County of Lake.
Equivalent to a Master’s degree in psychology, social work, marriage and family counseling, or a related field from an accredited college or university which provides the educational basis for licensing to provide psychotherapy in the State of California.
Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.
WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The County of Lake is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with adequate light and temperature. There may be occasional exposure?to?extreme temperatures, loud noise, fumes, noxious odors, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation; underground, confined, or restricted?workspaces; and heights more than five stories above ground level.?Incumbents may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Incumbents may also be subject to clients or members of the public afflicted with behavioral disorders or who are under emotionally stressful conditions.
Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
Incumbents are subject to "call back” to respond to urgent situations outside of scheduled work hours including nights, weekends, and holidays. Incumbents are subject to be scheduled for "standby" duty after regular work hours and are obligated to respond to urgent situations while on standby duty.
Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.
A successful candidate will be required to submit to and pass a background check prior to the appointment. Depending upon the position and/or assigned department, the background check may include but is not limited to civil and criminal history check, reference check, Live Scan, and/or credit check (as allowed under state law).
Disaster Service Workers: As members of the County of Lake Emergency Services Organization, all Lake County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to perform certain emergency services at the direction of the department and / or County.
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 Lake 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.
