Mental Health Therapist I - Full-time - Outpatient Behavioral Health - Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred

 Kern Medical strives to recruit the highest quality candidates, resulting in a high performance workforce that consistently delivers quality patient care.

 Career Opportunities within Kern Medical for qualifying positions include many benefits such as:

• New Hire Premium: +6% of base rate of pay matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package: includes Holidays, Vacation, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.   

Position: Mental Health Therapist I - Full-time - Outpatient Behavioral Health (Sickle Cell and Oncology) - Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Compensation

The estimated pay for this position is $35.0243 to $47.0697. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Job Description

Under supervision, to plan and provide direct mental health psychotherapy and services for adults, children, families and groups; and to assist in the implementation of treatment programs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

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. 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 populations 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: 

• 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 provides clinical supervision to non-licensed staff.
• Prepares court reports, special reports, placement evaluations, in-service curriculum, and manuals.
• Administers, scores, and interprets psychological testing under supervision (for pre-doctoral psychology candidates.
• Participates in utilization review activities.
• Performs clinical duties in association with specialty training.
• Performs other job-related duties as requ