Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I/II-Unlicensed

Full Job Description

The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency is recruiting to fill Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I/II – Unlicensed vacancies within the Behavioral Health Branch.

Direction is provided by a Behavioral Health or Human Services Clinical Supervisor, Manager, or a higher-level management position within the Agency.

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill immediate and future vacancies throughout Tulare County's Behavioral Health and Human Services Branches.

Incumbents of this class carry a caseload requiring professional competency in applying evidence-based practices.

Successful candidates will know the principles and techniques of interviewing, counseling, psychotherapy, and treatment modalities.

The Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I - Unlicensed classification is considered to be in training status as an associate and may reasonably expect to be promoted to Behavioral Health Associate Clinician II – Unlicensed, upon completion of the clinical hour requirements.

The successful candidate will work with complex casework in social service and mental health areas, respond to crisis, complete assessments, provide triage, and follow through with appropriate treatments which can include clinical interventions, referrals and risk assessment to aid in determining need for psychiatric hospitalizations.

In accordance with State of California laws and regulations, the candidate will identify adults and children with mental, emotional, and/or substance use disorders.

The selected candidate will also know the laws, rules, and regulations affecting the work of a mental health and public social service agency.

Incumbents in this classification may carry an ongoing caseload of mental health clients and provide appropriate, evidence-based treatment and associated documentation to help clients work toward wellness and recovery.

Incumbents in the Behavioral Health Branch will work with complex casework in various programs depending on current vacancies.

These programs may include clinics, criminal justice, Alcohol and Other Drugs, administration, homeless outreach, Integrated Services, children's services, and other mental health settings.

The ideal candidate must work well within a team setting and have a wealth of therapeutic skills to help problem-solve and make immediate decisions about challenging therapeutic cases.

The Tulare County Behavioral Health Branch has two adult mental health clinics in Visalia and Porterville and one children's clinic in Porterville.

The Behavioral Health Branch works with community-based providers to ensure mental health services are available throughout the county.

Candidates accepting one of these positions may qualify to apply for loan repayment of up to $30,000 for a two-year work commitment and providing direct client care in a qualified facility.

For more information on the loan repayment program, visit https://hcai.ca.gov/loans-scholarships-grants/loan-repayment/lmhspep/.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Perform initial assessments of clients to evaluate psycho-social dysfunctions and to determine diagnosis and prognosis.
• Develop a Problem List for consumers in areas they believe improvement will be beneficial to improve or ameliorate Mental Health symptoms and challenges in life functioning.
• Provide ongoing psychotherapy for clients on an individual and/or group basis; effectively utilize clinical measurement tools and data; determine when to discontinue counseling with client.
• Manage a caseload involving casework of an advanced nature.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels, as well as with other agencies, county departments, and the public.
• Perform crisis intervention services in clinics, over the phone, or in the field as assigned; determine triage level and refer for appropriate services.

• May perform in-home or field crisis intervention or treatment services.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet the qualifications listed below by the application deadline.

• A master's degree in one of the following areas: social work; marriage, family, therapy; psychology; clinical psychology; or counseling psychology; obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

License/Certificate:

Behavioral Health Associate Clinician I - Unlicensed:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Intern number as issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).

Proof of registration application must be submitted within 30 days from the date of hire into this classification.

Must possess current and active registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist as issued by the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences, within 120 days from the date of hire into this classification.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Behavioral Health Associate Clinician II - Unlicensed:

In addition to the necessary employment standards for Clinical Social Worker I:

• Letter of clinical hour completion towards a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license as issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applications will be accepted for graduate students who can provide proof they are within 90 days of completion of a master's degree required for the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences registration as noted above.

No person shall be hired without confirmation of completing the required master's degree.

Registration with the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as noted above is a condition of employment in this classification.

Proof of BBS Registration application must be provided within 30 days from the date of hire into this classification.

Failure to satisfy this requirement will result in separation from County employment.

Permanent status may not be obtained in this classification.

Incumbents must maintain current registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at all times, and within two years of appointment to the Behavioral Health Associate Clinician II-Unlicensed classification must obtain Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

Desirable Qualifications for Behavioral Health

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in Behavioral Science, Social Science, Liberal Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related field
• Knowledge of federal Medicaid and state Medi-Cal regulations pertaining to clinical licensing, provider site certification, service documentation, and billing
• Experience and knowledge of working with special populations such as Criminal Justice, Sevier Mental Illness (SMI), Unhoused or others.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.

Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions.

An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

If in a driving position, candidates must be able to obtain and retain a valid California driver's license.

Student Loan Forgiveness

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA).

Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007, and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible.

For more information, you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation.

**PLEASE NOTE: ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED**

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