Behavioral Health Care Clinician I​/II

Definition and Distinguishing Characteristics

DEFINITION

Under direction performs a range of therapeutic assignments related to behavioral health services, including intake and assessment, the design and implementation of personalized treatment plans, and psychotherapy for adults, children and/or older adults, as applicable by professional licensing law, in order to meet the needs of consumers and/or families with mental or substance use disorders; and are assigned other duties, as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the journey and licensed level of the Clinician series. Positions in this class include the licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or Associate (AMFT), the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Associate (ACSW) and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Associate (APCC). LPPC and APCC must have additional training for couples and families. The Behavioral Health Clinician II class has responsibility for performing, within the scope of licensure, the full array of psychotherapy and counseling for individual consumers, families, and groups that may exhibit a variety of mental health and related disorders in a clinic setting.

Incumbents are required to perform 24/7 crisis intervention services – including mobile crisis, when necessary to ensure coverage, requiring response within one hour to the designated location. Assignments range from average difficulty to very complex and may include overseeing the work of students and associates through clinical supervision.

REPORTS TO

Behavioral Health Program Manager or Behavioral Health Director.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

Exercises no supervision. May provide training to other staff.

Examples of Duties

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed.

• Provides direct and indirect behavioral health services to a varied caseload of patients in outpatient clinics, homes, schools and community settings; functions as a member of multidisciplinary teams in the provision of assessment, treatment planning, therapy, and case management services.
• Performs interviews of consumers, relatives, and other involved persons to gather personal and social data relevant to assessing mental or emotional disorders.
• Develops service plans with consumers.
• Evaluates and documents psychological, economic, vocational, educational, physical, health, socialization, and housing needs and coordinates with other staff members (psychiatrists, clinical supervisors and program managers). Assists the consumers and other concerned individuals in understanding the nature of major psychological illnesses and their psychosocial effects, and choosing options of mental health treatment.
• Initiates and conducts brief therapy with individuals, groups, and families.
• Works with treatment team in developing and implementing interventions including case management.
• Establishes and maintains effective contacts with local area mental health resources including community members, parents, schools, residential facilities and other agencies/organizations.
• Provide on-call services evenings, weekends and holidays as assigned – including 24/7 mobile crisis response.
• Perform specialized tasks including risk assessment and intervention during normal business hours or after hours, and/or involuntary hospitalization procedures (W&I 5150).
• Participates in a variety of meetings, training sessions, conferences and presentations; promotes community education and information on behavioral health issues. May provide guidance to volunteers and staff.
• Acts as a casework consultant to other clinical team members and other departmental staff; at the licensed level, within the scope of licensure. Level II may provide clinical supervision to students and associates.
• Coordinates clinical decisions in response to operational demands.
• Conducts clinical discussions regarding complex and/or difficult cases.
• Coordinates the flow of information and clinical data to ensure continuity in treatment and/or shift.
• Serv…