Mental Health Clinician

Position: Mental Health Clinician I

This position serves as the Licensed Mental Health Clinician for the Juvenile Hall and Juvenile Probation. The vacancy is in Ukiah, CA.

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 throughout the County, 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.

Under the supervision of licensed personnel, performs professional level counseling services and psychotherapy functions including managing cases, initiating crisis management, and conducting therapy sessions. This is the entry-level position in the series.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply.Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents

• 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; 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.
• 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, parents, children, etc. on issues concerning clients; may serve on committees, boards, etc., and participate in community activities/organizations relevant to client needs.
• 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; and, one to two years of progressively responsible experience; or, when possessing the required Master's Degree and licensure or certification, a combination of related education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (or)
Associate Clinical Social Worker (or)
Current registration with Board of Behavioral Sciences (or)
Fully eligible for registration with Board of Behavioral Sciences (or)
An intern in a PhD. or PsyD. Program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which would, upon successful completion, lead to licensure by the California Board of Psychology.

Knowledge of:

• Modern methods, techniques and procedures used in marriage, family and child counseling.
• Psychological theory.
• Interviewing techniques.
• 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:

• Case management.
• Observing and recording psychiatric behavior.
• 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 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,…