Behavioral Health Clinician or Behavioral Health Clinician Trainee

Under general supervision, provides an advanced level of counseling and casework with mentally ill and/or substance abusing youth, transitional age youth, and/or parents/caregivers, with priority given to children and families involved with Child Protective Services or Probation. This work requires the application of high level and sophisticated social services and counseling expertise and techniques, as well as the ability to provide intensive care coordination.Behavioral Health Clinician Trainee
As a member of Health and Human Services treatment team and under the clinical direction and license of a licensed professional of the healing arts, the Behavioral Health Clinician Trainee 

• Provides individual, group and family psychotherapy, counseling, and casework with children, adults, and their families in home-based and community-based settings using evidence-based strategies
• Performs assessments and develops appropriate strength-based treatment plans which are client or family-directed, culturally informed and coordinated within the team
• Connects clients to community resources and supports
• Participates in team meetings, interagency case conferences, peer review, and quality assurance meetings to ensure coordinated care
• Maintains documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations
• Provides both scheduled and crisis-orientated evaluations of clients experiencing mental health crisis and/or substance abuse problems
• Provides 24-hour crisis response services to children and families in a rotation with other staff
• Performs related work as required

Behavioral Health Clinician
The Behavioral Health Clinician has met the requirements for and obtained licensure and is able to provide clinical and crisis assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy independently without direct clinical supervision or co-signature. They perform all duties as listed below and is expected to exercise a high level of sound clinical judgment while at the same time participating fully as part of the team.

• Provides individual, group and family psychotherapy, counseling, and casework with children, adults, and their families in home-based and community-based settings using evidence-based strategies
• Performs assessments and develops appropriate strength-based treatment plans which are client or family-directed, culturally informed and coordinated within the team
• Connects clients to community resources and supports
• Participates in team meetings, interagency case conferences, peer review, and quality assurance meetings to ensure coordinated care
• Maintains documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations
• Provides both scheduled and crisis-orientated evaluations of clients experiencing mental health crisis and/or substance abuse problems
• Provides 24-hour crisis response services to children and families in a rotation with other staff
• Performs related work as required

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
Behavioral Health Clinician Trainee

• Master's Degree in social work, counseling or related field
• Candidates who are within six months of satisfying the education requirement for this classification will be admitted to the examination, but they must complete the education requirement and provide evidence of graduation prior to appointment
  • Special internship requirement: Must be registered within the first 6 months of employment with the State of California as an intern to practice psychotherapy while pursuing one of the following psychotherapy licenses, and must provide proof of registration at time of application:
    • Marriage, Family, Child Therapist (MFT)
    • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
    • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
    • Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Behavioral Health Clinician

• Must possess a valid California license to practice psychotherapy (LCSW, MFT, LPC, or Ph.D.)
• Must provide proof of licensure at time of application

Bi-lingual preferred

KNOWLEDGE OF: 

• Methods of effective engagement and rapport-building with clients/consumers of all ages
• Evidence-based intervention strategies that address family systems, life span development, and trauma
• Principles of interviewing and problem-solving specifically with persons with addictions and/or mental health issues in a system of care and public sector managed care setting
• Effective collaborative relationship-building with human service employees, and agencies involved with same clientele

Behavioral Health Clinician Trainee

• Scope of practice as a registered intern

Behavioral Health Clinician

• Current principles, procedures, and techniques in the assessment and diagnosis of mental illness and addiction
• Contemporary principles of crisis intervention
• Laws pertaining to the ethical care of clients in a behavioral health system under the scope of practice as a licensed clinician

ABILITY TO:

• Understand and learn the agency program, policies, and procedures
• Obtain facts and recognize the relevant and significant considerations
• Organize and maintain work detail
• Analyze situations and adopt effective course of action
• Apply existing laws, rules and regulations
• Apply principles of psychology and family relationships
• Evaluate personal and psychological factors in the family's or individual's situation
• Act effectively under stressful situations
• Must have ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Produce written documentation by hand or computer
• Stand, walk, twist, and lift and carry up to 25 pounds
• Use a telephone
• Climb and descend stairs
• Consistent attendance is an essential function of the position
• Speak and write effectively

Behavioral Health Clinician Trainee

• Relate and work well with agency staff, clients, and staff from other agencies
• As a registered intern, establish and maintain client rapport
• Accept and use supervision

Behavioral Health Clinician

• Establish and maintain client rapport
• Evidence the skills listed above and demonstrate skill in working in the more difficult and diagnostically complex casework areas
• Must be able to assess psychiatric emergencies and provide guidance and support to Health and Human Services Specialists for crisis work
• Assess medical necessity
• Make differential diagnoses and recommendations for level of care
• Coordinate training experiences for unlicensed staff
• Interact effectively with a variety of agency partners both within and outside of Health and Human Services
• Participate in and benefit from supervision, collaborative staff meetings, and trainings
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Drive a motor vehicle

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• You may be required to drive a motor vehicle in the course of employment and must possess a valid operator’s license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.   
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation. 
• Position may be required to serve as a Disaster Service Worker during a County emergency

APPLICATION: 
It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. Beginning with your present or most recent job, show a complete record of your employment.  Describe in detail any aspects of your experience or activities that are particularly appropriate for the position for which you are applying. You may not submit resume in lieu of completing the Employment Record fields.  We will evaluate your qualifications based solely on the information entered into the Employment Record form.

It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements like “See/Refer to resume” or “See attached”. 
 
IMPORTANT:   If requesting Veteran's preference, you must attach a copy of your DD214 with your application

SELECTION:  
Selection procedures will be determined by the number and qualifications of applicants and may include a qualification screening, written examination, and oral interview. 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH QUALIFYING DISABILITIES:  
Inyo County will make reasonable efforts in the examination process on a case-by-case basis to accommodate persons with disabilities.   If you have special needs, please contact (760) 878-0377 prior to the examination process.  

CITIZENSHIP/IMMIGRATION STATUS:   
Inyo County hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-citizens in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.  

WORK LOCATION:
The County of Inyo has work sites located throughout the Owens Valley (Independence, Bishop, Lone Pine, Big Pine, and Olancha) and the Death Valley area (Death Valley, Tecopa, and Shoshone).  All Inyo County positions are considered Countywide.  Positions are assigned to a work site based upon the needs of the County.  Positions may be temporarily or permanently reassigned to another work site as deemed necessary by the Department Head and/or County Administration.