Clinical Therapist I/II - Behavioral Health - (Multiple Programs) (COR)

MUST BE CURRENTLY REGISTERED WITH THE BOARD OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES TO BE CONSIDERED.

Must be Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

The work schedule for these positions may vary depending on the department's needs.

Under supervision, performs a range of therapeutic assignments related to the field of mental or behavioral health services and psychiatric social work, which includes the design and implementation of personalized treatment plans, individual and group psychotherapy, evaluations and investigations, and professional counseling, as applicable by professional licensing laws, in order to meet the needs of consumers or families with mental or emotional disorders; and performs other related duties as required.

The Clinical Therapist I is the unlicensed entry-level of the Clinical Therapist series. This series includes the registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), the registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), and the registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC). Through education and supervised clinical experience on the job, incumbents in this classification develop advanced diagnostic and treatment skills while gaining qualifying experience for which state licensure is required.

The Clinical Therapist I is required to obtain a license issued by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist within six years from the date of hire. Incumbents placed in this classification prior to September 18, 2014, may obtain licensure within eight years from the date of hire. Clinical Therapist I is a natural progression underfill for the class of Clinical Therapist II. Incumbents will be promoted to Clinical Therapist II after obtaining a satisfactory performance evaluation and upon providing proof of licensure.

The Clinical Therapist II is the journey and licensed level of the Clinical Therapist series. Positions in this class include the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). The Clinical Therapist II class has responsibility for performing, within the scope of licensure, a full range of psychotherapy and counseling for individual consumers, couples, families, and groups exhibiting a variety of mental health and related disorders in a clinic or institutional setting. Assignments range from average difficulty to very complex and may include serving in a lead capacity over other mental health treatment staff.

The Clinical Therapist II is distinguished from the Senior Clinical Therapist in that the latter is the lead level classification, responsible for the most complex assignments or providing extensive clinical supervision over unlicensed clinicians.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Interview consumers, relatives, and other involved persons to gather personal and social data relevant to assessing mental or emotional disorders.

Develop service plans with consumers; evaluate psychological, economic, vocational, educational, physical, health, socialization, and housing needs.

Coordinate with other staff members (psychiatrists, psychologists, and other program staff) and community agencies in carrying out and designing treatment or rehabilitation plans.

Assist consumers and other concerned individuals in understanding the nature of major psychological illnesses and their psychosocial effects.

Assist consumers and their families in understanding and choosing options for mental health treatment.

Initiate and conduct individual, collateral, group, and family therapy sessions.

Establish and maintain effective contact with local area mental health resources, including community members, parents, schools, residential facilities, and other agencies/organizations.

Perform specialized tasks including involuntary hospitalization procedures (5150) and Tarasoff assessments.

Participate in mental health conferences and local area committees.

Prepare reports and write correspondence.

Provide guidance to volunteers and staff.

Act as a casework consultant to other clinical therapists and other departmental staff.

Licensed level, within the scope of licensure, may provide clinical supervision to unlicensed clinicians.

Coordinate clinical decisions in response to operational demands.

Conduct clinical discussions regarding complex or difficult cases.

Respond to emergencies, within licensure, which may occur on the unit.

Coordinate the flow of information and clinical data to ensure continuity in treatment or shift.

Serve as liaison with other sections, units, services, and agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in clinical or counseling psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or a closely related behavioral science field.

AND

Certificate: Clinical Therapist I must have possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor issued by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Clinical Therapist II must have possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor issued by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences.