County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direct supervision, to provide clinical and case management services in Mental Health Service facilities; to make mental health/environmental assessments and provide psychotherapy for assigned clients; to gather and present case history data; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the entry-level marriage and family therapist class located in the Health Care Services Agency, requiring appropriate academic training but no professional-level clinical experience. Incumbents receive close supervision in their work and in the development of professional competence. In contrast, the Marriage and Family Therapist II provides a full range of marriage and family therapy services, involving considerable latitude and independence of judgment and seeks supervisory review and guidance only for selected cases. Marriage and Family Therapist I's are expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency, which qualifies them to promote to the Marriage and Family Therapist II after satisfactory completion of twelve months at the level of Marriage and Family Therapist I.

Professional supervision of Marriage and Family Therapist I's and II's comes from the Chief or Senior Clinical Worker assigned to the program, and medical supervision comes from a Psychiatrist assigned to the program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: 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 duties listed.

1. Provides psychotherapy and case management services to clients in out-patient services or hospital psychiatric wards; interviews clients and families and contacts community agencies to gather data of social and psychiatric relevance; prepares and maintains mental health/environmental case histories for use in diagnostic evaluations and participates in formulating client treatment programs.
2. Holds regular interviews with clients to assist in their understanding of problems and in developing realistic plans to resolve them; advises clients of community resources; makes referrals and other arrangements as assigned.
3. Attends staff conferences and training sessions; presents case history material for review and discussion; consults regularly with supervisors regarding problems and progress and to obtain guidance and supervision; consults with staff, including persons of other disciplines as required.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Continued

4. Gathers required data and prepares reports; interprets procedures to families and other interested persons and provides psychotherapy and case management as indicated; may participate in commitment hearings, giving factual and corroborative testimony requiring clients' mental health and environmental history and present behavior.
5. Works with clients, families and elicits their cooperation in treatment programs or commitment proceedings; works with community agencies as required to assist client in his/her treatment plan and in coping with environmental needs such as housing, medical care and employment.
6. Prepares reports, case summaries and correspondence as required; maintains case histories and work records, including required statistics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited school in Marriage and Family Therapy; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy; or a Master's degree in Nursing or Social Work or equivalent degree which meets requirements set by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapy License.

License:

Possession of a Marriage and Family Therapy License issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners, or be registered as a Marriage and Family Therapist intern. Incumbents in this class must comply with California licensure requirements. This applies even if applicant is a licensed professional in another state.

Some positions require a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Applicants must possess such license prior to appointment to such positions.

Special Requirement:

In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in this classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day on the job.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles and techniques of marriage and family therapy, and/or psychotherapy, including trends, standards and terminology.
• Social, emotional and behavioral aspects of mental disorders.
• Dynamics of maturation, social adjustment, normal and abnormal behavior, as well as general psychology.
• Psychotherapy, case management and other techniques of marriage and family counseling, including but not limited to therapy with families, couples, groups and individuals, including children.
• Community resources in the field of mental health.

Ability to:

• Apply clinical and case management principles and concepts; secure accurate social and personal data.
• Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships and work effectively with others.
• Utilize community resources in a mental health or rehabilitation program.
• Write and speak effectively, maintain necessary records, and prepare reports, including statistics.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.