Clinician I/ II

Statement of Purpose 

Under general supervision of the Program Director, Clinician I is responsible for assessing, diagnosing and identifying the appropriate level of patient care by conducting a comprehensive assessment and use tools required to determine appropriate services and level of care, participate in care plan development, provide clinical services to clients as needed. 

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities 

• Perform comprehensive assessments, identify an appropriate diagnosis, and develop care plans within the required time frames 

• Provide guidance, consultation and approval of their assessments, diagnoses, care plans, and progress notes 

• Maintain detailed client documentation within required time frames 

• Participates as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team providing clinical input related to client diagnosis and recommended treatment plans. Consults with staff to review client cases and medication issues 

• Demonstrates knowledge and competency in substance abuse and co-occurring disorder treatment.  Must be sensitive and responsive to cultural differences among the agency's client population 

• May carry a caseload and conduct individual/group sessions including family education groups 

• Regularly meet and maintain the agencies' expected productivity goals. 

• Make and monitor appropriate referrals when necessary 

• Support the orientation and training of staff and interns. 

• Actively participates in continuous quality improvement efforts and peer review functions.  

• Consults with, and serves as, a liaison with community agencies, school personnel, parents, and other programs and services to evaluate community health needs and services; advocates and educates on the needs of specific clients 

• Makes presentations to community and other groups outside the facility. 

• Report and record any changes observed in client condition or behavior, including unusual incidents. 

• If assigned to residential programs, make rounds every 30 minutes for 72 hours on withdrawal management clients, document and record withdrawal symptoms.    

• If assigned to residential programs, observe and document client self- administration of medications.    

• Respond to behavioral crises, medical emergencies, suicidal ideation, overdose (including administration of anti-overdose medications as needed), or acute intoxication safely and within scope of practice. 

• Make and monitor appropriate referrals when necessary. 

• Participate in and/or facilitate treatment team meetings, case conferences, and program planning. 

• Collaborate with external partners, including public health clinics and community-based organizations, to coordinate care. 

• Actively participate in continuous quality improvement efforts and peer review functions. Contribute to agency quality assurance and improvement initiatives. 

• Participate in safety programming to promote client and staff safety. 

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, including but not limited to DMH, DHCS, SAPC, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and CARF. 

• Maintain familiarity with BHS policies and procedures and other applicable regulations; perform job duties accordingly and represent BHS professionally in all contacts. 

• Maintain professional boundaries and standards; treat clients with respect, care, and concern; comply with confidentiality requirements at all times; and maintain health and safety standards of the facility. 

• Attend supervision, clinical meetings, and continuing education to maintain credentials. 

• Attend meetings and trainings and participate in committees as assigned. 

• May be required to conduct field-based services, including use of a personal vehicle to meet with and/or transport clients and collaterals in the community. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Job Summary:

Under general supervision of the Program Director, the Clinician II has responsibility for a psychiatric caseload of adolescents, transitional age youth and/or adults.

Major Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities

Following is a general listing of the job duties inherent in this position. The employee may also perform other tasks and special projects as assigned.

• Complete all intake documentation to include required LA County DMH forms (i.e., consent for treatment, patients’ rights, ROI’s, transfer of coordination if applicable, payer financial information etc.).  
• Performs culturally competent comprehensive DMH assessment, identify appropriate diagnoses and develop client coordination care plans within the required time frame.
• Maintain detailed client record documentation of caseload records; prepares intake and discharge summaries, progress notes and treatment reviews.
• Conduct individual and group psychotherapy sessions.
• Participates as member of a multi‑disciplinary treatment team providing clinical input related to client diagnosis and recommended coordination plans. Consults with psychiatric staff to review client cases and medication issues.
• Assures that outcomes are completed and submitted timely and accurately.
• Participates as member of a multi‑disciplinary treatment team providing clinical input related to client diagnosis and recommended coordination plans. Consults with psychiatric staff to review client cases and medication issues.
• Performs detailed client record documentation and maintains caseload records; prepares intake and discharge summaries, progress notes and treatment reviews.  
• Makes presentations to community and other groups outside the facility.
• Provides transportation for clients as required.

• Demonstrates knowledge and competency in substance abuse and co-occurring disorder treatment.  Must be sensitive and responsive to cultural differences among the agency's client population.

Clinician I Competencies and Performance Expectations 

• Ability to complete the above major tasks, duties and responsibilities 

• Ability to demonstrate, apply evidence-based practices, and demonstrate evaluation, care coordination, and treatment skills 

• If assigned to a SUD program, the ability to demonstrate knowledge and practice of 12 core competencies for SUD counselors and/or the BBS scope of practice, mandated core education, and clinical standards. 

• If assigned to DMH program, ability to demonstrate knowledge of DMH P&P, BBS scope of practice, mandated core education, and clinical standards and train to these standards. 

• Ability to effectively document within the required note structures (e.g., SOAP, GIRP, etc.) 

• Ability to recognize the symptoms and develop knowledge of appropriate treatment associated with behavioral health conditions. 

• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, community partners, and external providers to coordinate integrated services. 

• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to a crisis within scope of practice including but not limited to overdose, behavioral challenges, contraband protocol, emergency codes, etc.  

• Ability to screen and/or assess acute intoxication and withdrawal symptoms within scope of practice. 

• Ability to recognize personal biases when working with diverse populations and maintain cultural sensitivity at all times. 

• Ability to recognize personal biases within diverse populations, maintain cultural sensitivity at all times, and train to these standards. 

• Ability to demonstrate professional judgment and decision-making, including the ability to recognize and seek out supervision and/or consultation when required. 

• Ability to present client history and behavioral impressions for further review.  

• Ability to provide education, consultation, and in-service training for staff. 

• Ability to protect clients’ rights and provide advocacy for all clients. 

• Ability to assess client status and make accurate diagnosis and develop care plans. 

• Ability to adhere to professional standards. 

Prerequisite Qualifications 

The following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position.  Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Master's degree in behavioral health field with current/active AMFT, ACSW, or APCC registration with California BBS. 

Obtain NPI number, EMR system enrollment, and credentialing requirements within 30 days of employment.  

Ability to operate required computer programs for position, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, electronic timekeeping system, electronic learning management system, upon hire or demonstrated competency developed within 90 days of employment.  

Must have valid California driver’s license and liability insurance if driving a personal or company vehicle on BHS business.  

Vision, hearing, manual dexterity, and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for the performance of job duties. Able to sit at a desk, use a keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties.  Able to move about the facility to observe clients and staff. Complete annual TB and maintain good standing.  

Specific qualifications may vary based on assignment. The supervisor will initial those items on the following list, which apply and write N/A to indicate those qualifications, which are not applicable:  

Bilingual abilities may be required within certain BHS programs.   

Clinician II Competencies and Performance Expectations

All Clinician II’s are expected;

• Maintain a valid BBS registration to practice as ac ACSW or MFTI in the state of California.
• Assess client mental status and make accurate diagnosis and effective client care coordination plans.
• Analyze crisis situations in a prompt and concise manner to facilitate appropriate treatment and referrals.
• Conduct mental health education and training programs.
• Evaluate clients for medication referrals. Present client history and behavioral impressions to psychiatrist for further review.
• Prepare detailed case summaries and documentation and maintain accurate client records in compliance with local, state and federal rules and regulations.
• Protect clients’ rights and provide advocacy for the mentally ill.
• Coordinate emergency psychiatric support services efforts with appropriate county, community, school, hospital and other involved agencies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other therapists, county staff, schools, referral agencies, physicians and the public.  
• Utilize the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for performing diagnoses.
• Regularly meet agency productivity goals.
• Enter client notes within the required timeframe.

Required Qualifications

Following are the qualifications required to perform the essential functions of this position.  Qualifications may be subject to modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Must possess a current registration to practice as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, or a Marriage, Family and Child Intern in the State of California. (BBS registered)

Must have at least 2 years’ experience providing clinician experience.

Must have valid California driver’s license and liability insurance when driving personal vehicle on BHS business.

Must possess knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of community mental health treatment, including interviewing, assessment, individual, family and group counseling.

• General psychiatric emergency intervention, diagnosis and brief and long‑term therapy methods.
• Principles of adult and child psychology.
• Laws and regulations related to clients’ rights, voluntary or involuntary treatment and commitment for treatment, including criteria for commitment.
• Community resources and agencies providing support services for the mentally ill and/or persons with co-occurring disorders.
• Medical record‑keeping and documentation including client charting.
• Medi‑Cal regulations and documentation for medical necessity.

Vision, hearing, manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination must be adequate for performance of job duties.  Able to sit at desk, use keyboard, write and physically perform other job duties.  Able to move about the facility to observe clients and staff