County of Alameda

CORE Clinical Therapist (#6498)

Bargaining Unit: SEIU 1021 - Social Workers (005)
$53.34-$61.47 Hourly / $4,000.50-$4,610.25 BiWeekly /
$8,667.75-$9,988.88 Monthly / $104,013.00-$119,866.50 Yearly

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DESCRIPTION

This classification specification describes the journey-level classification in the Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE), Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) Therapist flexibly staffed series. Under general supervision, in a law enforcement environment, CORE Clinical Therapist provides crisis intervention, referrals based on risks and needs, psychotherapy for youth, families, inmates, and individuals experiencing conflicts, mental health symptoms, crisis, and trauma; gathers and presents case history data; provides clinical and case management services, mental health, risks, needs, and environmental assessments in the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) CORE BHU; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This classification is part of a two-level flexibly staffed series. The CORE Clinical Therapist classification is located in the CORE BHU in the ACSO and reports to a CORE Lead Clinical Therapist. Work assignments, professional guidance, and mentoring directed toward developing professional abilities are received from the CORE Lead Clinical Therapist and/or from the CORE Clinical Supervisor.

Employees in this classification are licensed therapists and perform duties involving considerable latitude and independence of judgment under general supervision. The CORE Clinical Therapist provides direct clinical psychotherapy, crisis intervention, case management, and brokerage/linkage services for Alameda County residents, within the scope of the CORE’s objectives. Additionally, employees may receive guidance in the appropriate handling of criminal cases involving offenders and their families from the CORE Clinical Manager, a Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant, and/or Captain.

This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of CORE Lead Clinical Therapist in that the latter is certified to provide clinical supervision to interns and associates.

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 employee in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

Provides crisis intervention services to individuals in the criminal justice system and their families, individuals, and couples, including issues with domestic violence, juvenile misdemeanors, first-time offenders, juvenile/adult victims of crime, sexual/physical abuse, and youth exhibiting at-risk behavior.
Provides psychotherapy, diversion counseling, and case management services to client(s), including families, couples, individuals, and groups.
Conducts suicide and crisis assessments, psychosocial assessments, and mental status examinations to formulate Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-V diagnosis.
Refers clients for psychiatric medication assessment and prescription, if deemed appropriate.
Provides forensically focused clinical case management for clients re-entering into the community from Santa Rita Jail.
Provides psychotherapy for juveniles who have been arrested or cited for a minor offense in support of diverting them from the juvenile justice system.
Interviews clients and families to gather social and psychiatric data. Prepares mental health and environmental case histories for use in diagnosis. Participates in the development of psychological treatment programs and case planning for clients.
Guides clients in understanding their respective problems and the contributing personal, social, and economic factors. Assists clients in developing realistic treatment plans to resolve problems and address their mental health symptoms. Advises clients on community resources and makes referrals or other arrangements for them as necessary based on the client’s risks and needs.
Works with families of clients to elicit their cooperation in treatment programs or commitment proceedings; collaborates with community agencies as required to assist clients with their treatment plans and in coping with environmental needs such as housing, medical care, and employment.
Serves as formal or informal liaison with other mental health professionals and service providers, including courts, schools, private therapists, hospitals, probation, and other agencies to advocate for and support clients and their families.
Prepares reports, case summaries, and correspondence. Documents hours providing clinical care. Maintains clinical files for clients, which include case notes, intake, assessments, treatment plans, and other clinical documentation. Prepares monthly statistics and Time Surveys for tracking time spent related to Medi-Cal Administrative Activities.
Attends staff conferences and individual/group training sessions. Presents case history for review and discussion with other staff members to develop case plans.
Provides support and consultation for sworn personnel regarding child physical and sexual abuse intake, investigation and follow-up, crisis intervention, and juvenile and adult custody proceedings.
Participate in meetings and consultations with sworn personnel regarding referrals and/or other mental health-related matters.
Receives referrals from sworn Patrol, Detectives, and/or Command Staff for individuals and/or families requesting therapy services and/or support during a crisis and/or loss.
At the request of sworn staff and at the direction of the CORE Lead Clinical Therapist or CORE Clinical Supervisor, responds to family dispute calls and other in-field emergencies.
Provides support and counseling to department staff in crises (e.g., death of an officer or death notifications.).
Consults regularly with the CORE Lead Clinical Therapist and/or the CORE Clinical Supervisor to obtain guidance and direction concerning professional activities or problems.
Consults with and receives guidance from the CORE Lieutenant and/or Captain and other sworn members of the Sheriff’s Office concerning the appropriate handling of criminal cases.
Consults with persons of other disciplines, senior professional Bureau staff and sworn members whenever an especially difficult or atypical situation occurs.
Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in social work, marriage and family therapy, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, counseling or a closely related field.

AND

License:

Possession of a valid clinical license in Marriage or Family Therapy (LMFT), Clinical Social Work (LCSW), Clinical Psychology, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), issued by the applicable licensing authority: California Board of Behavioral Sciences or California Board of Psychology.

Some positions in this classification may require possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Special Requirements:

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 the first day of employment.

Prior to appointment to this classification, prospective appointees must pass a comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

Employees in this classification must be able to work effectively in an environment in which they may encounter sensitive/confidential information and data that may contain explicit or disturbing content.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

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:

Crisis intervention and intake procedures.
Theory, principles, and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy.
Social, emotional, and behavioral aspects of mental disorders, emotional disturbances, and at-risk behavior characteristics exhibited by youth.
Principles of maturation, social adjustment, human/child development, normal and abnormal behavior, general psychology.
Psychotherapy, diversion counseling, case management, and other methods of counseling, including but not limited to therapy with children, adolescents, families, adults, couples, and groups.
Community resources in the field of mental health.

Ability to:

Function effectively in a highly structured law enforcement environment and adhere to established policy, procedure, and protocol.
Apply clinical and case management principles and concepts.
Secure and systematically record accurate social and personal data.
Maintain necessary statistics and prepare comprehensive statistical reports.
Develop effective and productive therapeutic relationships with clients.
Work effectively with law enforcement coworkers in the handling of dispute and/or crisis calls.
Utilize community resources in case management.
Establish and maintain effective professional relationships and work effectively with others.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

KU:pf

6/18/02

Newspec: 6498.doc

CSC Date: 3/26/03

LN:po Revised 11/30/06

CSC Date: 5/21/2008

DS:po Revised 8/6/09

CSC Date: 9/9/09

RE:cs Revised/retitled 7/17/13

Old Title: Youth and Family Services Therapist

CSC Date: 8/7/13

MY:cs Revised 2/10/15

CSC Date: 2/18/15

AM:jf Revised/Retitled 4/26/18

Old Title: Youth and Family Services Therapist

CSC Date: 10/24/2018

SA:saa Revised/Retitled 08/07/2024

Old Title: Youth and Family Services Therapist

CSC Date:10/30/24

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.