County of Alameda

CORE Lead Clinical Therapist (#6499)

Bargaining Unit: SEIU 1021 - Social Workers (005)
$54.89-$63.27 Hourly / $4,116.75-$4,745.25 BiWeekly /
$8,919.63-$10,281.38 Monthly / $107,035.50-$123,376.50 Yearly

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DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, in a law enforcement environment, provides professional-level clinical, counseling and case management services in the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE), Behavioral Health Unit (BHU); plans, organizes, directs, and reviews the work of CORE Associate Clinical Therapists and CORE Clinical Therapists; provides clinical support to CORE Associate Clinical Therapists seeking clinical licensure; assists the department with programmatic activities and makes recommendations; provides Quality Assurance oversight and clinical file audits; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The CORE Lead Clinical Therapist classification is the advanced-journey level in the CORE BHU Therapist series located in the ACSO CORE BHU and reports to a CORE Clinical Supervisor. Employees in this classification perform the full range of clinical and therapy services for Alameda County residents, distribute work assignments, and provide professional guidance and mentoring directed toward developing professional abilities to the CORE Clinical Therapist and is certified to provide clinical supervision for the CORE Associate Clinical Therapists. Employees in this classification must be fully trained and professionally skilled upon entrance into the classification and be certified by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to serve as formal clinical lead to registered Marriage Family Therapists and Associate Clinical Social Workers seeking clinical licensure.

The CORE Lead Clinical Therapist is distinguished from the next-lower classification of CORE Clinical Therapist in that the latter does not provide clinical supervision to CORE Associate Clinical Therapists. This classification is further distinguished from the next higher classification of CORE Clinical Supervisor in that the latter is responsible for planning and organizing the clinical functions of CORE BHU programs and activities and has formal supervisory responsibilities for all clinical staff assigned to the CORE BHU.

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.

Plans, organizes, and directs the work of CORE Associate Clinical Therapists and CORE Clinical Therapists. Provides professional guidance, direction, and mentoring to therapists, and trainees as assigned. Serves as formal clinical lead to CORE Associate Clinical Therapists seeking clinical licensure.
Reviews the work of paraprofessional staff and provides input to the CORE Clinical Supervisor concerning staff operations and employee performance within the context of professional and counseling activities.
Consults with the CORE Clinical Supervisor to obtain guidance and direction concerning professional activities or problems. Recommends methods of addressing operational, staff performance, or clinical issues. Receives and acts on direction received from the CORE Clinical Supervisor.
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 and investigation cases.
Consults with persons of other disciplines and sworn members whenever an especially difficult or atypical situation occurs.
Maintains a caseload and provides crisis intervention, psychotherapy, and case management services to youth and their families, individuals, and couples, including matters involving domestic violence, juvenile misdemeanors, first-time offenders, juvenile victims of crime, and youth exhibiting at-risk behavior.
Conducts suicide and crisis risk 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 psychotherapy for juveniles who have been arrested or cited for a minor offense in support of diverting them from the juvenile justice system.
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.
Participates 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.
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 mental health symptoms. Advises clients on community resources and makes referrals or other arrangements for them as necessary based on their risks and needs.
Works with families of clients to elicit their cooperation in treatment programs or commitment proceedings. Works 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 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 brief counseling service to law enforcement personnel in child physical and sexual abuse intake, investigation and follow-up, crisis intervention and juvenile custody procedures.
At the request of law enforcement staff, responds to family dispute calls and other in-field emergencies.
May provide support and counseling to department staff in crises (e.g., death of an officer or death notifications.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of one (1) year of full-time experience in the classification of CORE Clinical Therapist or Behavioral Clinician II in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

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

Experience:

The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time post-licensure experience working as a mental health/behavioral health clinician, providing clinical counseling and/or case management services in a law enforcement, outpatient facility, hospital, or other clinical or agency setting.

(Note: Previous experience involving lead or supervisory responsibilities is desirable.)

AND

License:

Possession of a valid clinical license in Marriage Family Therapy (LMFT), Licensed 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 their first day on the job.

Appointees to this classification must be eligible under Section 1833.1 of the California Code of Regulations to be certified by the Board of Behavioral Sciences to serve as clinical lead to graduate interns seeking clinical licensure.

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/or 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, and general psychology.
Psychotherapy, case management, and other methods of counseling, including but not limited to therapy with children, adolescents, families, couples, and groups.
Scope, activities, and functions of the various mental health facilities including but not limited to public and private community agencies concerned with mental health.

Ability to:

Function effectively in a highly structured law enforcement environment and adhere to established policy, procedure, and protocol.
Perform crisis intervention and crisis intake.
Effectively train counseling interns.
Apply clinical and case management principles and concepts.
Develop effective and productive therapeutic relationships with clients.
Work effectively with law enforcement staff in the handling of disputes and/or crisis calls.
Secure and systematically record accurate social and personal data.
Maintain necessary statistics and prepare comprehensive statistical reports.
Utilize community resources in case management.
Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships and work effectively with others.
Write and speak effectively.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

KU:pf 6/18/02

Newspec: 6499.doc

Csc Date: 3/26/03

LN:po Revised 11/30/06

CSC Date: 5/21/2008

MY:cs Revised 2/10/15

CSC Date: 2/18/15

AM:jf Revised 4/26/18

CSC Date: 10/24/18

SA:saa Revised/Retitled 08/07/2024

Old Title: Youth and Family Services Lead Therapist

CSC Date:10/30/2024

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.