JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT - CLINICAL SERVICES - ASSESSMENT CLINICIAN I

Acceptable Experience and Education

Master of Science or Master of Arts degree from an accredited college or university in the counseling field such as Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Child Therapy. 

Must possess one of the following licenses: 

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Psychologist
• Licensed Psychologist Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA)
• Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
• Licensed Professional Intern (LPC-Intern)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) - maintain licensure and be in good standing with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (TBHEC).

Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Certificates Licenses, and other requirements:

In order to access into the County’s network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date.

Must meet and maintain licensing and/or certification standards and be in good standing with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. 

Must have telephone and report residence.

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso. 

Proof of automobile liability insurance coverage is required.

Essential Duties

Develops comprehensive assessments inclusive of application and scoring of valid and reliable psychometrics to develop diagnostic impressions, treatment and supervision recommendations for court, custody and placement;

Administers screenings and assessments for youth and family members utilizing tools identified by the Department; 

Provides crisis counseling and assessment of mental health status of participants; 

Provides a range of therapeutic services and interventions to youth offenders and their families to ameliorate symptoms associated with a mental and/or behavioral health issues; 

Provides phased treatment using strategies that address cognitions, motivation, and mental/behavioral health issues;

Develops and reviews treatment plans, progress notes, discharge plans and follow up reports as well as maintain records in accordance with departmental, Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (TBHEC), Health Human Services Commission (HHSC) and Texas Juvenile Justice Department standards (TJJD); 

Conducts treatment plan updates/reviews and develop summaries as established by the department; 

Prepares and completes monthly summaries, discharge summaries and plans; and updates goals and objectives for participants;

Maintains accurate documentation and data collection of assessment outcomes, therapeutic services provided for statistical purposes; 

Documents treatment services, progress notes, and any pertinent information in the client record maintained by the department in accordance with departmental, TBHEC, HHSC and TJJD standards, and within a timely manner;

Attends and participates in staff and multidisciplinary meetings; 

Collaborates with multidisciplinary team and departmental personnel to aid in eligibility criteria determination regarding services, level of care and supervision levels;

Develops and prepares curriculum for group and individual sessions to include appropriate activities; 

Provides individual, group, family, and community educational sessions to address substance use and/or mental health disorders identified in youth and/or families and to increase skills and awareness regarding mental and/or behavioral health issues per program design and/or departmental need;

Collaborates with the Challenge Academy for phase assessments, reviews, and monthly staffing; 

Conducts case staffing to determine treatment needs and aid in the execution of therapeutic services, treatment, and discharge plans;

Prepares and completes mental and behavioral health assessment reports which may be used for court purposes as well as to facilitate recommendations regarding services and levels of supervision; 

Maintains compliance with the mandatory training as per State and departmental guidelines; 

Ensures treatment is provided in accordance with standards established through the TBHEC, THHSC and the TJJD; 

Ensures that documentation conforms to Department, State, and federal guidelines and standards; 

Reviews and adheres to the 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 2 pertaining to release of confidential information for substance abuse records and 45 CFR 164 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as it applies to standards of privacy of individual identifiable health information use and disclosures of protected health information;

Adheres to ethical standards, guidelines and practices as outlined in federal, state, and departmental standards regarding licensed/professional personnel;

Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; 

Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills;

Summary of Position

The Assessment Clinician I is responsible for developing comprehensive reports based on administration and facilitation of mental status exams, behavioral health, sexual behavioral health, admission, biopsychosocial assessments and application and scoring of psychometrics testing.  Dependent on assignment and operational needs a range of therapeutic modalities and counseling services may be applied to youth and families in the juvenile justice system including participants with co-occurring disorders as well as a history of violent and/or habitual delinquency acts in an inpatient, outpatient and/or community setting. 

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Application, scoring and administration of valid and reliable psychometric tools; Diagnostic Statistical Manuel and formulation of diagnostic impressions; evidence-based programs and practices as relevant treatment theories and practices for individuals with a substance use and/or mental health disorder; application of evidenced based and/or best practices in providing therapeutic services for youthful offenders as well as be culturally astute to this diverse population; Title III of the Texas Family Code, Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (TBHEC), Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC); the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) standards and departmental policies and procedures; treatment recommendations; identification of services and interventions; range of counseling practices, theories and modalities that will facilitate the rehabilitative process; the amelioration of identified symptoms/behaviors associated with a substance use and/or mental health disorders; counseling and crisis stabilization techniques; application of trauma specific services; facilitating individual, groups and family sessions with maladjusted youth and their family members in both clinical and home/community based settings; legal terminology; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.

Skill/Ability to: learn and apply current juvenile justice theories and practices; assess and administer substance use and mental health assessments and screening tools to aid in the development of treatment/recovery plans; identify the client’s strengths, risks and needs; formulate diagnostic impressions; develop treatment recommendations, identification of services and interventions; apply a range of counseling practices, theories and modalities that will facilitate the rehabilitative process and the amelioration of identified symptoms/behaviors associated with a substance use and/or mental health disorders; apply and utilize counseling and crisis stabilization techniques and resources; be well versed in family systems and/or family therapeutic modalities; effectively facilitate individual, groups and family sessions with maladjusted youth and their family members in both clinical and home/community based settings; possess excellent report writing and communication skills; possess interpersonal skills in order to engage juveniles and family members in the assessment and therapeutic processes; foster teamwork and partnerships with co-workers, departmental personnel and community stakeholders; possess a high degree of maturity coupled with interest in working with children/adolescents and their families;  positively and effectively work with maladjusted youth to include violent offenders, victims of crime to include violent and sexual offenses and resistant and dysfunctional or high risk families; possess organizational and time management skills; accurate record keeping in order to ensure that services are prioritized; adhere to departmental, State and Federal standards and laws regarding treatment records; testify in legal proceedings; strong problem solving; strong conflict resolution skills; use de-escalation techniques and strategies to ensure a safe therapeutic environment; analyze situation; formulate recommendations; facilitate change with assigned cases, as a part of the multidisciplinary team, and within the organization; work efficiently both independently and as part of a team; establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental personnel, clients, other County employees and officials, clinical service providers, law enforcement, the courts and the general public; be aware of self-care methods and practices; be flexible to the needs of the department and program; make required changes to fulfill those needs; successfully complete the department’s pre-employment requirements;  pass a Criminal Background Check.

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance: 

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; 
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence.

Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Director of Clinical Services

Directs: This is a non-supervisory position

Other: Has contact with Probation Officers, Judges, Lawyers, Community and Medical Providers, Youth, and Families

Physical Demands

While working in the office, the incumbent will sit for long periods of time in front of a computer terminal using a keyboard and mouse. The employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Must have the ability to see well enough to read documents and computer screens; Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus. Lifting or carrying up to 24 pounds. 

Work Environment 

Office environment and field work. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. May be exposed to violent situations or the aftermath. Home visits may be with individuals with mental, behavioral health and substance abuse disorders. The employee is required to visit homes of youth located in high crime areas and with a population prone to delinquent and criminal acts. This may entail extensive walking on different levels of terrain, as well as, climbing stairs. This requires the employee to be out in the physical elements of weather, including possible prolonged exposure to the sun, rain, etc.

Services may be provided in a secure correctional setting to include working in locked and/or secured spaces within the Challenge Academy and detention facility. The employee shall receive and apply specific training in the areas of security and correctional procedures. The position may be considered high stress while working with resistant youthful offenders, their families and correctional staff.

The above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Job Location(Place(s) where work is performed)

Juvenile Probation Department 

Equipment:(Machines, tools, etc., used in job performance)

Salary : $73,956