The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency is actively recruiting for the position of Mental Health Clinician – Licensed. Direction is provided by a Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health Clinic Manager, Psychiatric Emergency Team Manager, or a higher-level management position within the Agency. Responsibilities may include providing mentorship and clinical lead direction to unlicensed Mental Health Clinicians, as well as professional and clerical support staff. This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill immediate and future vacancies throughout Tulare County’s Mental Health and Human Services branches.

The successful candidate will respond to crises, make assessments, provide triage, and follow through with appropriate treatments, including referrals and assessing for psychiatric hospitalizations. Incumbents working in the Mental Health Branch will work with complex casework in crisis, Alcohol and Other Drugs, and other mental health settings. The ideal candidate will need to work well within a team setting and have a wealth of therapeutic skills to help problem solve and make immediate decisions about challenging therapeutic cases.

The Tulare County Mental Health Branch has two adult mental health clinics, located in Visalia and in Porterville. The Mental Health Branch works with community-based providers to ensure mental health services are available throughout the county. The Mental Health Clinician – Licensed provides professional behavioral health services, in accordance with State of California laws and regulations, to identified adults and children with mental, emotional, and/or substance use disorders. The incumbent may also provide behavioral health clinical oversight and direction to unlicensed clinicians, mental health paraprofessional staff, and student undergraduate/graduate placements. Incumbent(s) selected for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Ride-Along Program shall receive 6% special-duty pay based on scheduled hours.

The Tulare County Child Welfare Services (CWS) Division has a clinical team that works primarily with adults and families involved with CWS. The successful candidate will provide mental health assessments, provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy, respond to crises in the field to support clients and social work staff, and consult with social workers and associated providers involved with cases. The ideal candidate will be able to work well within a team setting. The Mental Health Clinician – Licensed will work with complex casework in social service and mental health areas and provide direct treatment to clients. The successful candidate in this position will evaluate cases to assess psycho-social and mental health issues and determine appropriate types and methods of treatment. The incumbent will develop, implement, and monitor intensive, long- and short-term treatment plans with the aim of improving or restoring individual or family function. This position requires knowledge of principles and techniques of interviewing, counseling, psychotherapy, and treatment modalities. The selected candidate will also have knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations affecting the work of a mental health and public social service agency. Incumbents in this classification may carry an ongoing caseload of mental health clients and provide appropriate, evidence-based treatment and associated documentation to help clients work toward wellness and recovery.

Candidates accepting one of these positions may qualify to apply for a loan repayment of up to $30,000 for a two-year work commitment and providing direct client care in a qualified facility. For more information on the loan repayment program, visit https://hcai.ca.gov/loans-scholarships-grants/loan-repayment/lmhspep/.

Key Responsibilities

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  Provide crisis intervention services over the phone, in a clinic setting, or out in the field, as assigned; determine triage level and refer for appropriate services
• May perform in-home or field crisis intervention with law enforcement
• Assist clients in accessing services to support the client’s need for treatment and care
• Provide casework and program consultation to staff members, which may include serving as a clinical lead to unlicensed clinical team members in their development of client treatment plans
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels, as well as with other agencies, County departments, and the public

Required Qualifications
Candidates must meet the qualifications listed below by the application deadline.

• 
  Completion of a two-year master's degree program in one of the following areas: social work; marriage, family, and child counseling; marital and family therapy; psychology, clinical psychology, or counseling psychology. Must be obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.
• Possession of a valid Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor (MFT) license issued by the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in Behavioral Science, Social Science, Liberal Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related field
• Knowledge of federal Medicaid and state Medi-Cal regulations pertaining to clinical licensing, provider site certification, service documentation, and billing
• Training and experience providing clinical supervision

• Knowledge of the child welfare system
• Experience with trauma-informed care
• Knowledge of issues/concerns related to child abuse and neglect

Conditions of Employment

• Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.
• If in a driving position, candidates must be able to obtain and retain a valid California driver's license.

• This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007, and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

Bargaining Unit 4

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability). This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.


Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.


To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/index.cfm/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.