What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mental Health Clinician I position at Boulder County?
Mental Health Clinician I
Jail Division
Days of work may vary and may include weekends, holidays, and nights.
Hiring Range: $6,030 -$7,357
Pay Range: $6,030 - $8,684
Mental Health Clinician I is the entry level in the Mental Health Clinician series. Licensed Mental Health Clinicians apply their education and experience to perform various tasks to support the needs of the mental health unit and the inmates we serve.
For clinicians working toward licensure, they work under close supervision to provide mental health assessments and referrals for inmates in the correctional setting.
FLSA Status: Non-exempt (eligible for overtime).
New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month.
Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.
PLEASE NOTE: When submitting your application be sure to include all relevant education and experience, as applications are screened based on the qualifications listed in this position announcement. Applications that do not appear to meet minimum qualifications, as outlined below, will not be considered. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completed applications.
Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team.
- Conducts intakes, evaluations and/or assessments for referred inmates.
- Assess and provide suicidal and/or homicidal intervention and management for high-risk inmates.
- Provide plans and treatment to inmates in Special Management and inmates who are locked down due to mental health and/or behavioral concerns.
- Coordinate or link inmates to psychiatric prescribers who require evaluation for medication or re-evaluation of current medications.
- Provide consultation to security and healthcare staff regarding inmate’s behavior, safety concerns or their mental health concerns.
- Provides mental health crisis intervention for the entire facility.
- Documents services and encounters appropriately and accurately according to facility and company policies. Maintains required documentation throughout all encounters and provides accessibility of notes for staff.
- Communicates effectively with mental health, medical, and security staff as well other entities involved with inmate’s continuity of care.
- Coordinates with attorneys, probation, hospitals, and other professionals for continuity of care.
- Preceptor for new staff.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Must be well organized and possess detailed assessment skills. Must have the ability to think and act critically. Must interact well with others. Must have a demonstrated understanding of the security issues surrounding inmate mental health care in a detention setting. Documented skills and experience in working in the field of mental health. Must possess good and effective communication skills.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Active licensure is required
- Will consider Licensed Professional Counselor Candidates working toward licensure.
- Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, MA Counseling (LPC), MA Clinical Social Work (LCSW), Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT)
- Correctional mental health experience is preferred.
SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Must obtain and maintain security clearance with the Boulder County Jail/ Sheriff’s Department
- Must pass background investigation and drug testing.
- Must pass polygraph test
- Vision - Dual vision is not required. Single eye correctable vision is acceptable. Minimum peripheral vision for single vision is 900 on the ear side and 700 on the nose side. Frequently uses peripheral vision to observe and monitor multiple persons and activity.
- Hearing - Dual hearing is required. When tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to American National Standard. Mental health staff are constantly required to listen to multiple audible inputs simultaneously such as portable radio conversations, telephone conversations, conversations with inmates or others, noises within the housing units.
- Sense of Smell - Intact. Occasionally uses olfactory sense to detect illegal use of drugs or chemicals. Occasionally uses the olfactory sense to evaluate the presence of toxic vapors, smoke, and fuels.
- Speech – Mental health staff must have the ability to speak and understand English clearly within normal parameters. Constantly uses voice to communicate with other officers, professionals, prisoners, and the public in person and by telephone and two-way radio. Clear diction and audible volume are required.
- Body Movement – Mental health staff must have mobility of both arms and legs with the ability to move around the work area unassisted. Must be able to walk quickly and climb stairs. Must have the ability and range of flexibility to reach overhead, reach below knees, and to bend over or squat down to perform job functions. Must have the ability to stand or sit for long periods of time.
Salary : $72,360 - $104,208
