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Kern County

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST I/II, EXAM NO. 7067

SALARY

$30.73 - $37.51 Hourly

$2,458.14 - $3,000.89 Biweekly

LOCATION

Kern County, CA

JOB TYPE

Full time

JOB NUMBER

7067

DEPARTMENT

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & RECOVERY SERVICES

OPENING DATE

10/16/2017

CLOSING DATE

Continuous

SALARY

$30.73 - $37.51 Hourly

$2,458.14 - $3,000.89 Biweekly

LOCATION

Kern County, CA

JOB TYPE

Full time

JOB NUMBER

7067

DEPARTMENT

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & RECOVERY SERVICES

OPENING DATE

10/16/2017

CLOSING DATE

Continuous

Description

SALARY: Level l: $26.46 - $32.30/Hourly, Level ll: $30.73 - $37.51/Hourly; Paid Biweekly.
Under general supervision, to plan and provide direct mental health psychotherapy for adults, children and family groups; and to assist in the implementation of treatment programs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Level l:
Mental Health Therapist I denotes the entry level to the Mental Health Therapist flexible classification series. It encompasses four types of licensure: Pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Pre-Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Pre-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and pre-doctoral psychology candidates. Through supervised clinical experience, incumbents at this level perform basic professional mental health psychotherapy and develop advanced diagnostic and treatment skills while gaining the qualifying experience for licensure.

Promotion to Mental Health Therapist II is made on a merit basis without examination, upon obtaining licensure or obtaining a doctoral degree in Psychology and subject to the recommendation of the department head and the approval of the Director of Personnel.

Level ll:
Mental Health Therapist II denotes the journey level of the flexible Mental Health Therapist classification, encompassing four types of licensure: Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clincical Counselor (LPCC), and Pre-Licensed Psychologist (PhD/PsyD). Within the scope of licensure, positions provide psychotherapy, psychotherapeutic treatment and counseling for clients exhibiting a variety of mental health and related disorders in a clinic or institutional setting.  Incumbents are experienced, licensed or doctoral-level professionals. In addition to providing psychotherapeutic treatment services, positions in this class direct a small professional staff engaged in therapeutic treatment. This level is distinguished from Supervising Mental Health Clinician or Mental Health Unit Supervisor, which have full supervisory responsibility for a staff including Mental Health Therapists and for daily operation of a team, which provides a variety of mental health services.

Level l and ll:
Dependent upon the area of practice or department assignment incumbents demonstrate clinical knowledge and skill in the treatment of children, adults and/or geriatric populations. This may include substance abuse, dual diagnosis and working with specialty population or with legal offense-related clients, who are acutely or chronically mentally ill and/or mentally impaired.

Incumbents may be required to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Essential Functions

Level l:
  • Participates in the evaluation and implementation of various treatment modalities.
  • Provides individual, conjoint, marital/family, and group psychotherapy for clients.
  • Develops and implements a psychotherapy program for the acutely or chronically mentally ill and/or mentally impaired. Designs and implements plans of care, identifies goals to be achieved and steps for achievement.
  • Screens adults and/or children for the appropriateness of treatment; conducts bio-psychosocial assessments and diagnoses mental disorders.
  • Assists in determining causal relationships of problem behavior, personality traits, socio-economic conditions, and substance abuse.
  • Coordinates cases as assigned and assists staff in the provision of case management activities.
  • Determines authorization for treatment.
  • Reviews and approves plans of care written by Mental Health Recovery Specialists.
  • Works cooperatively with community agencies to provide a full range of needed services for clients. Works in community self-help groups and assists with community liaison activities.
  • Keeps supervisors apprised of issues related to client treatment.
  • Acts as an advocate for clients.
  • Refers clients to community agencies and/or other support systems; refers clients to medical or psychiatric services as appropriate.
  • Provides in-service training and makes presentations to clients, family, staff and/or community organizations.
  • Provides crisis intervention.
  • Keeps accurate records; prepares correspondence, progress notes, written reports and other documentation.
  • Attends in-service training; participates in meetings, committees, and conferences.
  • Utilizes a personal computer and various software programs.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

  • Supervises volunteers and provide clinical supervision to non-licensed staff.
  • Prepares court reports, special reports, placement evaluations, inservice curriculum, and manuals.
  • Administers, scores and interprets  psychological testing under supervision (for Pre-Licensed Psychologists (PHD/PsyD).
  • Participates in utilization review activities.
  • Performs clinical duties in association with specialty training.
  • Performs other job-related duties as required.
LEVEL II: (in addition to the above) 
  • Supervises interns who are in the process of completing the requirements for licensure.

 

Employment Standards

LEVEL I:
Completion of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Social Work or a related field, AND eligibility for registration with the State of California as an Associate Clinical Social Worker,  Marriage and Family Therapist intern or Pre-licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Within 90 days of hire incumbents must obtain and maintain a current and valid intern or associate registration with the State of California and obtain California licensure within the time period specified by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Failure to maintain a current and valid registration may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

OR 

Completion of all Psychology doctoral coursework and completion of a Psychology Internship from an Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) program. Pre-doctoral psychology candidates cannot be employed to provide mental health services unless they obtain a waiver from the California Department of Health Care Services, even if registered with the California Board of Psychology. A waiver granted may not exceed five years from the date of employment.

LEVEL II:    
Completion of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Social Work or a related field, AND licensure with the State of California as a Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) OR completion of a Doctorate Degree in a Behavioral Science from an accredited college or university and eligible for licensing waiver with the State Department of Mental Health. Pre-Licensed Doctoral psychology candidates cannot be employed to provide mental health services unless they obtain a waiver from the California Department of Health Care Services, even if registered with the California Board of Psychology. A waiver granted may not exceed five (5) years from the date of employment. California licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)  must maintain current and valid licensure with the State of California. Failure to maintain a current and valid license may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Applicants must attach a copy of their degree or transcripts verifying the conferral of a a master's degree with a major in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Social Work or a related field and/or license(s)/certificate(s) with their application to the Kern County Human Resources division by the final filing date.

APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE APPLICATION SUPPLEMENT AND SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION MATERIAL.

BOTH LEVEL I & LEVEL II:

Dependent upon assignment, applicants may be required to pass an extensive background investigation and be fingerprinted. Disqualification for felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Driver's License. 

Knowledge of: Principles of mental health; laws, rules, regulations, and ethics governing a public mental health agency and the Board of Behavioral Sciences; confidentiality standards abd HIPPA regulations; principles and techniques of psychotherapy and case recording; diagnostic criteria and diversified treatment modalities; criteria for medical necessity; working within the scope of practice and the scope of practice of the clinical supervisor; office functions and procedures including basic computer skills.

Ability to: Apply the laws, rules and regulations governing a public mental health agency to specific situations; apply the principles and techniques of psychotherapy and case recording; utilize a personal computer and software; access, utilize and maintain electronic records and files; apply diagnostic criteria and diversified treatment modalities; establish and maintain effective working relationships; conduct interviews effectively; write and speak effectively; work with groups and individuals to effect changes in behavior; relate professionally to other agency personnel and other organizations; evaluate and handle psychiatric emergencies; use crisis intervention techniques and determine the need for referral to other agencies or professionals; and perform psychotherapy for a diverse population of individuals; and report to work as scheduled.

Supplemental

All Kern County employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec.3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2-Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services).  As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following a significant emergency or disaster.

FOLLOWING AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT, YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO POST OFFER MEDICAL AND DRUG SCREENING TESTS AT COUNTY EXPENSE.

ADMITTANCE TO EACH PHASE OF THE EXAMINATION WILL REQUIRE A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTOGRAPH IDENTIFICATION. APPLICANTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO PRESENT PROPER IDENTIFICATION MUST MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION PRIOR TO THE TEST DATE. 

Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates are encouraged to apply. Applicants who wish to be considered for bilingual employment must submit a Bilingual Certificate issued by the Kern County Personnel Department or its authorized agent. Employees who occupy positions designated as bilingual are paid dependent upon their required level of proficiency. For information regarding bilingual (English/Spanish) certificates,  go to the Personnel Department website at http://www.co.kern.ca.us/personnel/skills-certificates.aspx .

This examination will establish an eligible list from which one (1) immediate appointment(s) will be made at the Kern County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission.

APPRAISAL (Weight 100%): of training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the work based on any combination of the following: Investigation, written exam and rating of application. Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.

Should a Oral Exam be necessary, the Oral Exam will be weighted 100%.
 
This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time without notice.  Names will be placed on one eligible list in order of final grades.  Individuals who attain placement on the eligible list may not re-apply until their name has expired from the list. 
 
THE COUNTY OF KERN IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

JS:3711/3710
 

Employer
Kern County
Phone
6618683480
Website
http://www.kerncounty.com/hr
Address
1115 Truxtun Avenue First Floor

Bakersfield, California, 93301
Employer
Kern County
Phone
6618683480
Website
http://www.kerncounty.com/hr
Address
1115 Truxtun Avenue First Floor

Bakersfield, California, 93301
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST I/II, EXAM NO. 7067 Supplemental Questionnaire
* QUESTION 1
All applicable diploma(s), transcripts, licenses, and/or certificates must be attached with your application. I have submitted copies of all applicable diploma(s), transcripts, licenses, and/or certificates with my application. (Failure to attach required supplemental materials will result in the rejection of application.)


* QUESTION 2
I am bilingual (English/Spanish) and will provide my Bilingual Certificate (English/Spanish) issued by the County of Kern Human Resources Division or its authorized agent Bakersfield College. (Failure to attach Bilingual Certificate(s) by the final filing deadline, will not be considered Bilingual.)


* QUESTION 3
I possess a valid license with the State of California as a Clinical Social Worker or as a Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).


* Required Question