Mental Health Clinician II

County Of Mendocino; Ukiah (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Mendocino seeks a Licensed Mental Health Clinician for the Juvenile Hall and Juvenile Probation in Ukiah. This journey-level clinical role manages cases, conducts therapy, crisis management, and develops programs, with duties across assessment, treatment planning, and collaboration with schools and families.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged; apply through Human Resources. You will work within a multidisciplinary team to ensure safety, compliance and high-quality mental health

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field is required or a Bachelor's with Psychiatric RN certification plus experience.
• Two to three years of progressively responsible experience; or a combination of related education, training and experience with licensure.
• Licensure in Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Psychologist, or Psychiatric Registered Nurse as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and psychotherapy including crisis management, assessments, therapy sessions and program development.
• Interview and evaluate clients for admittance and safety risks; locate housing and financial resources as needed.
• Participate in treatment teams and professional meetings to discuss client progress and plan care.
• Prepare progress notes, charts and transfer summaries per professional standards and regulations.
• Maintain a safe environment for clients and staff and supervise crisis interventions.
• Coordinate and manage special programs; liaison with schools, parents and probation officers.

Skills

Case management

Therapy skills

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Interagency collaboration

Communication

Assessment

Team coordination

Education

Master's degree in Social Work or Psychology

Bachelor's with Psychiatric Registered Nurse certification

Two to three years of related experience

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

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

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, 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.

Performs complex, professional level counseling services and psychotherapy functions, including: managing cases, initiating crisis management, conducting therapy sessions, and developing new programs. This is the journey level position in the series. Performs other related duties as assigned.

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; performing court-ordered psycho social assessments; 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; finds board and care placements and other housing for clients; assists clients in obtaining financial resources.
• 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, agencies, parents, children, probation officers, etc. on issues concerning clients; assists families, teachers and/or counselors in identifying children with mental health problems; participates on the Mental Health Critical Incident Stress De-Briefing Team.
• Provides consultation and related services to school districts, including: participating on special teams, developing intervention strategies and supporting school staff in early identification of at-risk children.
• 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

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology or related field; or

Bachelor's degree when also possessing a Psychiatric Registered Nurse certification, and

Two to three years of progressively responsible experience; or,

When also possessing required licensure, a combination of related education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Marriage and Family Therapist (or)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (or)
• Licensed Psychologist (or)
• Psychiatric Registered Nurse

Knowledge of:

• Modern methods, techniques and procedures used in marriage, family and child counseling.
• Psychological theory.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Child and adolescent development.
• Juvenile justice system.
• 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 psycho tropic medications.

Skill in:

• Advanced counseling and therapeutic processes and procedures.
• Case management.
• Observing and recording psychiatric behavior.
• Crisis assessment and disposition.
• 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 assess and intervene in high risk situations (suicide, aggression).
• 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, technical procedures and government regulations.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and speak and hear; and use sound perception and discrimination.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and is occasionally required to apply a physical exertion in restraining overactive or hostile clients and/or move up to 30 pounds.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation
• Right to Work

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer