Clinical Assessment Specialist

SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Unit Supervisor, conducts assessments on children, adolescents and their families.  Provides early intervention, screening, assessment, and referrals to assist the public in obtaining appropriate services. Employees in this title are expected to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Assesses an assigned caseload of children, adolescents and families, including but not limited to completion of the risk and needs assessment, mental health screener, and dispositional matrix.
• Provides timely reports to judges, referees, attorneys, case managers and clinicians.
• Provides expert testimony as required.
• Supports child and family in reaching goals by providing referrals to applicable resources
• Documents consumer contacts in all required written reports and computer systems.
• Complies with Court, Clinic, CMH, Medicaid, Child Care Fund and CARF standards, policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or Criminal Justice.
• Must qualify as a Child Mental Health professional.  
• One (1) year of paid clinical work experience.  Training and experience should demonstrate familiarity and competence in assessing children, adolescents and adults.
• Proficient using MS Office Suite and relevant software and systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce positive results.
• Ability to ask and answer questions and to explain Court procedures to internal and external customers in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas effectively so that others can understand.
• Ability to deal calmly and effectively in high stress situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, 
employees, officials and external contacts.
• Ability to interact with individuals from various backgrounds; to understand the speech of another person.
• Ability to meet and interact with the public and deal courteously and effectively with their questions or problems, seeking assistance when needed.
• Ability to operate office equipment.
• Ability to understand and carry out instructions and to request clarification when needed.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills for dealing with clients, the Court, and law enforcement authorities.
• Excellent verbal and/or written communication skills for preparing reports and recommendations.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Skill in managing one’s own time, as well as the ability to meet deadlines.
• Working knowledge of Court processes and procedures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• Normally a typical customer service office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise.
• Some assignments must be performed in a field environment and/or detention facility.
• Employees in this title may encounter individuals who may be under duress.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time to perform job functions.
• Ability to detect, create and interpret documents.
• Operate a computer and other office machinery, items or equipment.
• Position self to move from one place to another.
• Communicate with clients, co-workers, and others.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
• Must possess and maintain Michigan licensure as one of the following: 
o    Licensed Bachelor of Social Work (LBSW)
o    Limited Licensed Master of Social Work (LLMSW)
o    Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW)
o    Temporary Limited Licensed Psychologist (TLLP)
o    Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP)
o    Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC)
o    Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Candidates considered for placement in this job title will be subject to a criminal and/or IV-D background investigation and subsequent fingerprinting every five years.
• Must possess (at time of application) and maintain a valid Michigan driver’s license, no fault insurance and access to a vehicle to use in the performance of assigned duties.
• Some assignments must be performed in a field environment and/or detention facility.
• Applicants must be eligible for employment authorization in the U.S.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the title. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description.  Specific job duties vary from position to position.

Grant funded positions are contingent on availability of grant funding and may be terminated should funding substantially reduce or cease. The affected employee may be considered as a candidate for other vacant positions within the Court for which they are qualified.

NOTES:  
09/01/2009    Title changed 
10/17/2011    Updated for format
08/03/2017    Updated for content and format
03/07/2024    Updated for content
02/05/2025    Updated for content