Supervising Behavioral Health Clinician

About the role

The County of Del Norte Health and Human Services Department - Behavioral Health Branch is seeking a qualified candidate to fill one (1) vacancy for the position of Supervising Behavioral Health Clinician. This position is classified as full-time.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patients and provides crisis intervention services in a variety of settings including field situations.
• Obtains patient history, completes mental status examinations, diagnosis and conducts complex clinical assessments, utilizing the five axis format using the most recent DSM, and develops service plan.
• Provides ongoing psychotherapy in outpatient and day rehabilitation’s environment making necessary referrals for patient on an as needed basis.
• Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary team providing critical clinical input relating to patient diagnosis and recommended treatment plans and case conferences consulting with psychiatric staff in the review of cases and medication issues.
• Evaluates patients for voluntary and involuntary commitment and signs commitments for clients requiring hospitalization as necessary.
• Provides direct supervision of assigned staff and programs in the delivery of mental health and/or drug and alcohol services.
• Provides direction, training and chart auditing for assigned student intern, participating in staff intern training and quality assurance/peer review functions.
• As care coordinator prepares detailed patient record documentation and maintains caseload records, preparing intake and discharge summaries, progress notes and treatment plan.
• Performs program planning to develop and implement services appropriate to assisting both adult and child psychiatric clients.
• Performs program monitoring activities to assist in evaluating outcomes and results for staff and client populations.
• Makes or reviews decisions on difficult patient/client assessment and casework matters.
• Prepares documentation, correspondence and other written materials related to program services; maintains or directs the maintenance of records and files.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree in psychology, marriage and family counseling, social work, psychiatric nursing or related field.
• Licenses: Possession of an appropriate license to practice as a licensed marriage, family and child counselor, clinical psychologist or clinical social worker in the State of California.
• Experience: A minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a Behavioral Health Clinician II level.

Qualifications

• Knowledge: Principles and practices of adult and child psychology and community mental health treatment interviewing, assessment, individual, family and group counseling. General psychiatric emergency intervention, diagnosis and brief and long term psychotherapeutic methods. Laws and regulations related to patients rights, voluntary and involuntary treatment and commitment for treatment including criteria for commitment. Community resources and agencies providing service for the community mentally ill or disabled. Medical record keeping and documentation including patient charting and Medi-Cal regulations and documentation for medical necessity.
• Skills: Ability to assess client mental status and make accurate and appropriate diagnosis and effective treatment plans. Analyze crisis situations in a prompt and concise manner to facilitate appropriate treatment or referrals. Evaluate patients for medication referrals. Present accurate and appropriate patient history and behavioral impression for psychiatrists for further review. Prepare detailed case summaries and documentation and maintenance of records to comply with local, state and federal rules and regulations. Protecting patients rights and providing advocacy for the mentally ill. Coordinate emergency psychiatric support services efforts with appropriate county, community, school and other involved agencies. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other therapists, county staff, school personnel, referral agency representatives, physicians and general public. Conduct mental health education and training programs in assigned programs.

Skills

• Ability to conduct mental health education and training programs in assigned programs.

Benefits

The County provides a comprehensive benefit package, generous time off accruals, professional and personal development opportunities, and many positions offer flexible scheduling for work life balance.