PROBATION MENTAL HLTH CLINICIAN III (RELIEF)

Under general supervision, provides professional, specialized mental health services, and participates as part of a multidisciplinary team providing counseling, psychotherapy services, as well as related treatment and case management services to persons in the Juvenile Correctional facility and adult offenders on Probation; and performs related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED  
 
Receives general supervision from Assistant Chief Probation Officer.  Exercises no direct supervision of staff.  May exercise technical and functional direction over, and provide training to lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
 
Probation Mental Health Clinician III:  This is the advanced, licensed level in the Behavioral Health Program Clinician series. Incumbents exercise considerable independent clinical judgment within the scope of program responsibilities and licensure. This class is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Clinician II in that this class performs work in accordance with the licensing requirements, as a licensed mental health professional with full exercise of authority to approve and make professional clinical decisions for individuals placed in the Juvenile Correctional facility and offenders placed on Probation. In addition, this class may provide training and guidance to less experienced employees and/or provide clinical supervision to unlicensed Behavioral Health Program Clinicians for hours towards licensure.
 (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Provides direct and indirect mental health services to juvenile offenders residing in the Juvenile Correctional facility and offenders placed on Probation; functions as a member of multidisciplinary teams in the provision of assessment, treatment planning and case management services. 
• Conducts diagnostic clinical interviews to gather, analyze and evaluate psycho-social data, both on a regular basis and as part of crisis intervention and ongoing psychotherapy. 
• Provides individual, family, child, and group therapy, independently or as a team member, in accordance with assigned program objectives and policies. 
• Conducts intake/psychosocial assessments of those seeking mental health services; prepares diagnoses, treatment recommendations, and referrals; evaluates appropriateness of continued services and may make referrals to community mental health providers if appropriate.
• Develops and implements written treatment plans; participates in case conferences and clinical meetings. 
• Prepares, processes and provides timely documentation of all clinical contacts and forms and reports associated with admissions, evaluations, diagnoses, treatment plans, referrals, discharges and outcome measures. 
• May assist in planning, developing, implementing and evaluating Managed Care procedures and forms. 
• Performs related work as required, which may include but is not limited to preparing correspondence and reports, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, ordering supplies and materials, entering computer data, maintaining logs and lists, sending and receiving faxes, processing mail, etc. 

Knowledge of: 

• Codes and regulations relevant to mental health treatment and recovery including Welfare and Institution Code Section 5328, Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Title 42, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Associated Code of Conduct requirements related to specific licensing board regulations.
• Theories, principles, practices and techniques of mental health treatment and recovery including clinical interviewing, assessment, diagnosis, crisis intervention, individual and group therapy and counseling. 
• Psychological, physical and social aspects and characteristics of mental illness, emotional disturbances and chemical dependency. 
• The principles and techniques of mental health treatment and recovery theories. 
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations, rules and requirements including Medicare and Medi-Cal requirements pertaining to mental health programs and documentation. 
• Principles, practices, procedures and operations of Managed Care programs. 
• County and community mental health systems of care, community resources and related services. 
• Basic psychiatric terminology and treatment methods, including uses and effects of psychotropic drugs.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• Intervention and treatment modalities specific to forensic mental health settings.   

Ability to: 

• Effectively assess and evaluate mental health status, developing treatment plans, making appropriate referrals, and providing therapy for individuals, groups and families. 
• Evaluate mental health service needs and provide and authorize services. 
• Provide ongoing therapeutic support and case management services. 
• Communicate and coordinate services with other county and community agencies. 
• Respond appropriately in crisis intervention situations. 
• Understand and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures of mental health programs, services and treatment methods. 
• Work cooperatively and effectively as a member of a team, as well as independently without close supervision. 
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines. 
• Preparing clear, accurate, timely and complete clinical documentation in accordance with requirements of regulatory and funding agencies. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. 
• Utilize skills in engaging and working with others from diverse ethnic and cultural groups. 
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 
• Work effectively with justice involved juveniles and adults. 

 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Probation Mental Health Clinician III: Master's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, psychiatric social work, or a related behavioral science and completed licensure as an Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage, Family Therapist (MFT) or LPCC.

Preference: Experience working with offenders in a correctional institution, preferably Juvenile Offenders.
 
Licenses and Certifications: 

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
• Probation Mental Health Clinician III:  Possession of current licensure by the State of California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners as either a LCSW, MFT or LPCC.

Salary : $71,178 - $86,528