Behavioral Health Clinician II

Basic Purpose

Positions in this job family perform professional work in providing clinical services to inmates in a state correctional center.

Typical Functions

• Provides initial and ongoing mental health screenings and evaluations identifying at-risk and vulnerable inmates needing prevention, intervention, referral, and the immediate provision of mental health services according to policy and procedures. Assigns mental health diagnoses to inmates as appropriate.
• Provides crisis, suicide and harm-reduction intervention/procedures to inmates identified as high-risk for self-harm, harm to others and/or have the potential for violence.
• Identifies, monitors, and provides mental health services to inmates with diagnosable mental health, behavioral, or emotional disorder to facilitate and support their wellness and recovery.
• Provides individual and/or group counseling or psychotherapy and evidence-based therapeutic services to inmates identified as needing mental health services to prevent decompensation and to promote personal growth, coping skills and support their recovery.
• Coordinates with other medical and mental health professionals to ensure quality and continuity of care.
• Schedules, monitors, and may participate in appointments with internal and external mental health professionals and providers to ensure medication compliance. Assists with providing medication education to and management reviews with inmates.
• Develops and implements an individualized mental health continuity of care/aftercare plan to inmates discharging to prevent decompensation and provides referrals and linkage to community resources.
• Assists in developing and carrying out comprehensive, culturally attuned training programs for the recognition and handling of behavioral and psychological problems most common in a correctional setting involving difficult-to-manage inmates and the seriously mentally ill.
• Assists in conducting psychological, social, and personality adjustments and suicide prevention in-service training for the correctional and other professional staff members in the recognition, prevention, and handling of emergent crisis situations.
• Attends professional conferences and keeps abreast of the most recent research, trends, and therapeutic modalities in the field of mental health including ethics training necessary for the improvement of quality of care and systems of service delivery.
• Participates as a member of the assigned facility’s interdisciplinary team in meetings, correctional conferences, and other related facility and state-wide trainings.
• Conducts assessments for inmates placed in restrictive housing according to policy and procedures.
• May be required to respond on an on-call basis to crisis situations.
  
  

Level Descriptor

This is the career level where incumbents are licensed and perform professional work in providing clinical mental health services. There are no supervisory responsibilities assigned to this level, but training and assistance may be provided to less experienced professional or technical staff.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Competencies

Knowledge of psychological theory, methods of psychological counseling, psychotherapeutic and case management methods, individual and group counseling and community problems; specialized knowledge in working with individuals with mental, behavioral, emotional, and social problems and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; intermediate knowledge of appropriate pharmacological remedies, psychotropic medications, and formulary exceptions. Ability to diagnose mental, behavioral, emotional, and social problems and apply therapeutic techniques; to develop appropriate treatment plans and incorporate therapeutic interventions consistent with acceptable community standards; to establish and maintain effective working relationships; to work with community groups and agencies in developing programs and services; and to exercise good judgment in analyzing situations and making decisions.

Education And Experience

Education and experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, human relations, clinical/direct practice social work, or a closely related field which must have included one semester of at least 300 hours of applied clinical practicum in psychology or counseling. Must hold a current license as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Behavior Practitioner (LBP), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor with Mental Health (LADC-MH).

Preferred: One-year post-master’s experience providing professional counseling services.

The Department of Corrections has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S.

• 427.8.
  
  

Additional Job Description

Mental Health/Jess Dunn Correctional Center

This is not a remote position.