Mental Health Therapist II - Full-time - Outpatient Behavioral Health - Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred

Kern Medical is a leading Central Valley healthcare organization, with a 222-bed hospital, a comprehensive offering of primary care and specialty clinics, and a large body of highly skilled doctors, nurses, technicians and other healthcare providers. With the area’s only trauma center and teaching hospital, many of our services are unequaled in the region. Our volunteers, our charitable foundation, and our own employees eagerly support our mission of health and safety. As a public hospital, we are committed to serving the people of our community. Our care, while sophisticated, comes with a compassion, respect and kindness in a community of diverse needs.  

 Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as:

• New Hire Premium: 6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Vacation, Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.

Position: Mental Health Therapist II - Full-time - Outpatient Behavioral Health 

Definition:

Under supervision, to plan and provide direct mental health psychotherapy and services for adults, children, families, and groups; and to assist in the implementation of treatment programs.

Compensation

The estimated pay for this position is $40.5188 to $49.8329. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions to the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Distinguishing Characteristics
Behavioral Health Therapist II denotes the journey level of the flexible Behavioral Health Therapist classification, encompassing four types of licensure: Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and Pre-Licensed Psychologist (PhD/PsyD). Within the scope of licensure, positions provide psychotherapy, psychotherapeutic treatment, and counseling for clients exhibiting a variety of mental health and related disorders in a clinic or institutional setting.  Incumbents are experienced, licensed, or doctoral-level professionals. In addition to providing psychotherapeutic treatment services, positions in this class may direct a small professional staff engaged in therapeutic treatment. This level is distinguished from Behavioral Health Program Manager, which has full supervisory responsibility for staff including Mental Health Therapists, and for daily operation of programs, which provide a variety of mental health services.

Dependent upon the area of practice or department assignment, incumbents demonstrate clinical knowledge and skill in the treatment of children, adults, and/or geriatric populations. This may include substance abuse, dual diagnosis, and working with specialty populations or with legal offense-related clients, who are acutely or chronically mentally ill and/or mentally impaired.

Incumbents may be required to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Essential Functions:

• Participates in the evaluation and implementation of various treatment modalities.
• Provides individual, conjoint, marital/family, and group psychotherapy for clients.
• Develops and implements a psychotherapy program for the acutely or chronically mentally ill and/or mentally impaired. Designs and implements plans of care, identifies goals to be achieved and steps for achievement.
• Screens adults and/or children for the appropriateness of treatment; conducts bio-psychosocial assessments and diagnoses mental disorders.
• Assists in determining causal relationships of problem behavior, personality traits, socio-economic conditions, and substance abuse.
• Coordinates cases as assigned and assists staff in the provision of case management activities.
• Determines authorization for treatment.
• Reviews and approves plans of care written by Mental Health Recovery Specialists.
• Works cooperatively with community agencies to provide a full range of needed services for clients; works in community self-help groups and assists with community liaison activities.
• Keeps supervisors apprised of issues related to client treatment.
• Acts as an advocate for clients.
• Refers clients to community agencies and/or other support systems; refers clients to medical or psychiatric services as appropriate.
• Provides in-service training and makes presentations to clients, family, staff and/or community organizations.
• Provides crisis intervention.
• Keeps accurate records; prepares correspondence, progress notes, written reports and other documentation.
• Attends in-service training; participates in meetings, committees, and conferences.
• Utilizes a personal computer and various software programs.

Other Functions: 

• Supervises interns who are in the process of completing the requirements for licensure.
• Supervises volunteers and provides clinical supervision to non-licensed staff.
• Prepares court reports, special reports, placement evaluations, in-service curriculum, and manuals.
• Administers, scores, and interprets psychological testing under supervision (for pre-doctoral psychology candidates, PhD/PsyD).
• Participates in utilization review activities.
• Performs clinical duties in association with specialty training.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Employment Standards:

Completion of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Social Work or a related field, AND licensure with the State of California as a Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

OR

completion of a Doctorate Degree in a Behavioral Science from an accredited college or university and eligible for licensing waiver with the State Department of Mental Health. Pre-Licensed Doctoral psychology candidates cannot be employed to provide mental health services unless they obtain a waiver from the California Department of Health Care Services, even if registered with the California Board of Psychology. A waiver granted may not exceed five (5) years from the date of employment.

California licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) must maintain current and valid licensure with the State of California. Failure to maintain a current and valid license may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Responder or Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Responder certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Responder certification and competency.

Dependent upon assignment, applicants may be required to pass an extensive background investigation and be fingerprinted. Disqualification for felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Driver's License.

Knowledge of: Principles of mental health; laws, rules, regulations, and ethics governing a public mental health agency and the Board of Behavioral Sciences; confidentiality standards and HIPPA regulations; principles and techniques of psychotherapy and case recording; diagnostic criteria and diversified treatment modalities; criteria for medical necessity; working within the scope of practice and the scope of practice of the clinical supervisor; office functions and procedures including basic computer skills.

Ability to: Apply the laws, rules and regulations governing a public mental health agency to specific situations; apply the principles and techniques of psychotherapy and case recording; utilize a personal computer and software; access, utilize and maintain electronic records and files; apply diagnostic criteria and diversified treatment modalities; establish and maintain effective working relationships; conduct interviews effectively; write and speak effectively; work with groups and individuals to effect changes in behavior; relate professionally to other agency personnel and other organizations; evaluate and handle psychiatric emergencies; use crisis intervention techniques and determine the need for referral to other agencies or professionals; and perform psychotherapy for a diverse population of individuals and report to work as scheduled.

Supplemental:

All Kern County employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2 - Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services.) As Disaster Service Workers, all county employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

Salary : $41 - $50