Forensic Behavioral Health Clinician Series

THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California's seventh-largest county. The County employs 9,700 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $3.4 billion. Oakland, the County seat, is California's eighth-largest city. One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities, and rural areas. As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens. The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles. The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities, and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

ALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH

Alameda County Health is the local government agency that promotes and protects the health and well-being of all who live, work, learn, and play in Alameda County. We coordinate services and cultivate partnerships with community organizations and providers to help ensure access, organize, and deliver health care and services to people with Medi-Cal and without insurance, support resilient communities, and improve health for all. We focus on health equity by developing programs and systemic solutions that reduce disparities for the people and communities we serve.

Alameda County Health’s departments and programs focus on services and support that provide care for the whole person.

· The Behavioral Health Department provides mental health and substance use services for people with Medi-Cal and without insurance and supports people along their path to wellness, recovery, and resilience.

· The Environmental Health Department works to keep our air, water, and food safe; it regulates, protects, and promotes the health of everyone in Alameda County by enforcing environmental health codes to reduce exposure to toxins and diseases.

· The Public Health Department focuses on community and population-level health, preventing and addressing root causes of health inequity across a range of communicable and chronic diseases.

· Alameda County Health also provides services through Housing and Homelessness Services, Emergency Medical Services Agency, HealthPAC, and Healthy Schools and Communities.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

As part of Alameda County Health, the Behavioral Health Department supports people with Medi-Cal and without insurance living with serious mental illness and substance use conditions along their path toward wellness, recovery, and resiliency. We provide services through a network of contracted mental health and substance use providers and administer the State’s resources and training for behavioral health providers, case managers, and other healthcare professionals. We advocate for our patients and families and create space for personal engagement in their care.

We are outpatient specialists for mental health services for older adults and youth, substance use providers and treatment program specialists, advocates for quality improvement and patients’ rights, and psychiatric and integrated health care providers.

For more information about the Behavioral Health Department, please visit www.acbhcs.org.

THE POSITION

This classification specification describes the entry-level of the Forensic Behavioral Health Clinician classification flexibly-staffed series. Incumbents of this classification under close supervision, provide mental health clinical services and forensically focused case management services to clients in a jail setting. Conducts mental health evaluations and assessments, including risk of harm to self and others; documents an individual’s history and tendency for violence; provides crisis intervention and crisis stabilization; engages in consultation and implementation of pre-planned use of force with Sheriff’s Deputies; conducts mental status examinations and formulate Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-V related diagnoses; provides consultation to other programs and agencies on treatment needs and behavioral plans for forensic clients; provides discharge planning and perform other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This classification is a part of a two-level flexibly staffed class series of the Forensic Behavioral Health Clinician classification. This classification is located in the Health Care Services Agency, within the Adult Forensic Behavioral Health Program, in the County jail. Incumbents in this series report to a Forensic Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisor or Forensic Behavioral Health Clinical Manager.

Forensic Behavioral Health Clinician I’s are expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency, which qualifies them to flexibly promote to the higher-level class after possession of the required State licensure from the applicable licensing authority.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

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

AND

License/Registration:

Possession of a valid registration as an Associate Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychological Assistant/Associate, or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor from the applicable licensing authority (California Board of Behavioral Sciences or California Board of Psychology) with confirmed verification within six (6) months of hire date.

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

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.

A thorough background investigation will be conducted of all prospective Forensic Behavioral Health Clinician I’s to ensure they are suitable to work in a jail setting and must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. Incumbents may be assigned to work day, evening, night, and rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays.

In compliance with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Federal Cures Act, Employees in this classification who are required to render direct specialty mental health services in the course of their assignment must successfully be enrolled in Provider Application and Validation for Enrollment (PAVE) web portal prior to commencing employment.

Incumbents may be assigned to work day, evening, night, and rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays.

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:

• Current theories, principles, and best practices for services to forensic clients with serious behavioral health care symptoms and diagnosis.
• Familiarity of best practices for a forensic population, such as criminogenic.
• Psychological diagnostic methods and terminology.
• Cultural and social factors affecting behavior patterns.
• Wellness, recovery, and resiliency-oriented strategies and supports.
• Dual recovery/co-occurring disorder treatment, screening, and assessment tools.
• Community needs, resources, and organizations related to behavioral health care.
• Clinical standards of practice and licensure requirements.
• Principles and practices of direct client service delivery in a jail setting.
• Principles of social needs, problems, attitudes, and behavioral patterns specific to criminal justice populations.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Computer applications related to the work.

Ability to:

• Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, community organizations, state hospitals, and criminal justice partners.
• Organize and prioritize work and meet critical deadlines.
• Interpret, explain, and apply regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Analyze, evaluate, and make sound decisions.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and effective reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Work with a diverse population.