Behavioral Health Clinician I/II/III - Youth Services

About the Position

San Luis Obispo County Health Agency, Behavioral Health Services, is currently recruiting for a BH Clinician I/II/III to be a part of a multidisciplinary team providing Youth Services.

Classes in this series provide a variety of professional mental health and substance use disorder assessment, diagnosis, therapy, counseling, education, and community outreach services to clients in the community, schools, clinics, jail, juvenile hall, and inpatient settings.

Typical Tasks and Representative Duties
(Not in order of importance)

• Within scope of education, license, and certification, conducts clinical evaluations, assessments, diagnoses, crisis intervention and other clinical treatment services including individual, group, and family therapy.
• Formulates treatment plans utilizing various modalities of treatment in a culturally competent, developmentally appropriate, strength-based, wellness and recovery orientation.
• Consults and works with other staff members and community agencies in carrying out treatment plans and interventions.
• Provides consultation, education and information services to lay and professional groups and individuals; refers clients to appropriate community agencies.
• Learns and evaluates new techniques, including evidence based practices, for dealing with mental health, substance use, emotional and/or environmental issues.
• Assists in ongoing implementation, design and training related to the Department's Electronic Health Record.
• Updates and maintains a variety of files, records, charts and other documents; gathers, compiles and synthesizes data for management purposes; maintains appropriate records and prepares reports.
• Conducts, monitors and coordinates clinical services provided by contracted community mental health and/or substance use service providers.
• Provides information regarding the services of the Behavioral Health Department; provides mental health or substance use disorder consultation services to specified target groups including County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health personnel and community providers.
• Consults with professional staff members as needed to promote efficiency of both clinical services and medical record documentation.
• Develops and enhances cooperative professional relationships with local community agencies significant to the continuum of care for clients.
• Provides consultation, presentations, and training to co-workers, community groups, and other agencies, as requested, on the roles and functions of behavioral health programs.
• Maintains expertise in field of service through participation in applicable educational resources; serves as a technical resource to county staff, outside agencies, and community providers.
• Promotes healthy relations between the County of San Luis Obispo and the constituent population by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, visitors, and other employees.
• Interacts and provides services to individuals in a manner consistent with the Agency's core values and reflecting the standards of the Division which include understanding that each individual is unique and entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, with rights to make their own decisions.
• Maintains and enforces all aspects of confidentiality of client information in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Factors that affect position allocation include: the complexity of assigned responsibilities, nature and size of program, independence of action, decision making authority, and level of specialized training and experience.

This class series is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Specialist series, in that the latter is not a professionally licensed series and, as such, is limited to performing evaluations and outreach, and providing education and counseling, to clients with behavioral health conditions. In addition to above duties, the Clinician's scope of practice may include rendering diagnoses, completing mental status examinations, and providing psychotherapy.

Behavioral Health Clinician I:
Under direct supervision of a licensed clinician, and within scope of training and experience, conducts behavioral health assessments and diagnoses, develops and implements treatment plans and recovery oriented activities for individuals and groups, and provides non-medical psychotherapeutic or treatment services to assigned individuals and groups. May also provide facilitation to community groups, organize and provide educational activities, collect and analyze relevant data, and/or participate in development activities. May also monitor and review records for regulatory compliance and be responsible for assigned cases.

Behavioral Health Clinician II:
Under general supervision, and within scope of licenses/certifications currently held, takes full responsibility for clinical management of a client caseload or program assignment. Conducts behavioral health screenings, assessments, diagnosis, develops and implements treatment plans and recovery oriented activities for individuals and groups, and provides non-medical psychotherapeutic or treatment services to assigned individuals and groups. May also provide facilitation to community groups, organize and provide educational activities, collect and analyze relevant data, and/or participate in development activities.

Behavioral Health Clinician III:
This level denotes the highest level of clinical expertise. Under general direction and with great latitude for independent judgment and initiative, takes full responsibility for clinical management of a client caseload or program assignment. Conducts behavioral health screenings, assessments, diagnosis, develops and implements treatment plans and recovery oriented activities for individuals and groups, and provides non-medical psychotherapeutic or treatment services to assigned individuals and groups. May also provide facilitation to community groups, organize and provide educational activities, collect and analyze relevant data, and/or participate in development activities. Provides consultation and training to professional staff in therapy modalities and develops and implements community service projects. May provide leadership and/or training for other staff or treatment teams.

The list of eligible candidates created from this recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, temporary, limited term, on-call or substitute vacancies in the department.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate possesses the following skills:

Knowledge of:

• Within scope of licensure, education, and experience: assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, case management, crisis intervention, and psychotherapeutic modalities
• Principles, practices and techniques of psychotherapy, substance use disorder treatment within a variety of modalities, and evidence based practices
• Federal, State, and Local regulations related to the practice and procedures for mental health and substance use disorders including HIPAA, HITECH, and 42 CFR
• Culturally competent recovery and resiliency oriented care
• Medical terminology related to mental health and substance use disorder assessment and treatment
• Psychiatric medications
• Principles of individual and group behavior

Ability to:

• Effectively assess and treat clients
• Establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of clients, co-workers, and others from a variety of socio-economic, racial, ethnic, and other diverse backgrounds and orientations
• Work effectively in a demanding environment with a multi-disciplinary team
• Apply existing laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures to behavioral health department operations
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in written form
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services in the Electronic Health Record
• Foster a spirit of teamwork and support when interacting with staff and others
• Maintain a safe and orderly work environment

Education and Experience

Unless noted otherwise, licensure/registration must be held at time of application and maintained throughout employment.

Behavioral Health Clinician I: Master's Degree in a counseling or related field, and proof of intern registration application with the Board of Behavioral Sciences, or Board of Psychology. Proof of active intern registration must be presented in order to complete the initial probationary period.

Behavioral Health Clinician II: Master's Degree in a counseling or related field, and proof of active intern registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences, or Board of Psychology; and equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience, post-Master's degree, in providing direct services to individuals and/or families.

Behavioral Health Clinician III: Current active and unrestricted California license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, or Psychologist, AND two (2) years of professional experience, post-licensure, in a related field.

How to Apply

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

Supplemental Information

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.

Pursuant to recent California Department of Public Health orders, workers in designated facilities and positions are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and/or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. If your position is determined to fall under the State orders, you will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing, where applicable.

Our Community
Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, approximately 260,000 people call San Luis Obispo County home.

San Luis Obispo County's natural beauty includes beaches, lakes, mountains, wetlands, and oak-studded hills. It's home to California Polytechnic State University, Cuesta Community College, Hearst Castle, two historical missions, and a commercial airport. A Mediterranean climate keeps San Luis Obispo at an average daytime high of 70ºF with usual lows in the 40s. Varied and growing industries form its stable economy.

Residents rejuvenate themselves by enjoying the county's year-round farmers markets, wineries, public trails, and cultural events.

More information about San Luis Obispo County can be found at: http://www.visitsanluisobispocounty.com/.

Compensation
The annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package which includes:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Participation in the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
• Retirement Fund
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Flexible Spending Section 125 Plans
• Paid Personal, Sick and Vacation Days
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Education Allowance
• Post Employment Health Plan

Depending on your position, you may be eligible for additional benefits.