CLASS SUMMARY: Provides comprehensive clinical assessments to individuals seeking services for mental health needs/diagnoses and/or substance use disorders. Assessments will determine eligibility for entry into the service system and clinical needs for on-going therapy services. Clinical Assessor will ensure that prospective clients are linked to appropriate service(s) within the agency within 10 days of initial assessment. Clinical Assessor/Therapist II will assess and interact with clients with various mental health diagnoses and/or substance-use related disorders in an outpatient setting. Work involves decision making in complex situations and the ability to make the determination of the need for services. DISTINGUISHING ELEMENTS OF THE CLASS: I. IMPACT: Work of this class has an immediate effect on the initiation of clients’ treatment. Work ensures access to services in a timely manner. The incumbent works directly with clients and families to perform a comprehensive clinical assessment to identify needs and initiate services. The ability to perform job effectively results in enhanced quality of life for clients. II. LATITUDE: Day-to-day work is performed independently with regular consultation with the Program Manager. Work is guided by federal/state regulatory boards, agency policies, diagnostic manuals and the standards of the profession. III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: Provides clinical supervision to unlicensed therapists or graduate student interns. IV. INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS: Work involves direct and continuous contact with prospective clients referred to the program and their families. The incumbent may interface with a variety of others, internal and external, to the agency. These include: physicians, medical and psychiatric hospitals, social service agencies, schools, court and law enforcement personnel, detention facility staff, nursing home staff, external service providers and agency clinical staff. V. DIFFICULTY: Appropriately relating to a variety of client personality types requires use of judgment and discretion. Emergency situations resulting from client medical or behavior problems involve timely and responsible decision-making. Work involves the application and interpretation of sophisticated diagnostic norms and therapeutic standards to a variety of clients with mental health diagnoses, substance use disorders and/or emotional impairments. Assessment involves acute observation and analysis of current and historical behavioral presentations, and social and medical histories. The incumbent prepares technical and complex records and reports. Work requires the balancing of administrative norms, client needs and the ethics and standards of the profession. Utilization of an electronic health record is required. VI. COMMUNICATIONS: Work involves performance of comprehensive clinical assessment including the use of careful and precise language. Position involves the constant preparation of complex documentation, technical records and reports. VII. EQUIPMENT/FACILITIES RESPONSIBILITY: None VIII. WORKING CONDITIONS: Incumbent will perform duties in an office setting. The incumbent may be exposed to individuals who are unhealthy, emotionally unstable, hostile, aggressive and/or verbally abusive which may present a risk of personal harm. IX. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA'S): Skilled at conducting thorough clinical diagnostic assessments and making recommendations for services Thorough knowledge of mental health diagnoses and diagnostic criteria Thorough knowledge of substance use disorders and its physiological and psychological effects Excellent oral and written communication skills Ability to establish effective working relations with staff and the community Ability to keep accurate and up to date clinical records and reports utilizing an electronic health record Ability to effectively deal with stressful situations Excellent interpersonal skills required Thorough knowledge of crisis intervention principles, practices and techniques Thorough knowledge of client management guidelines for Virginia Thorough knowledge of diagnostic assessment and therapeutic counseling theories, principles, techniques and practices including individual, group and family therapy models Thorough knowledge of the characteristic behaviors, symptoms and other manifestations of the various mental and emotional diagnosis affecting the client population served Ability to establish and maintain rapport with the client population Ability to maintain client confidentiality and good knowledge of the laws, guidelines, and legal procedures relating to mental health care or substance abuse treatment to include HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 Thorough knowledge of agency policy and procedures affecting client care Through knowledge of child abuse and its psychological effects X. LICENSURE: Licensed as a Mental Health Clinician such as Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Virginia. XI. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLASS (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY): Conduct initial assessment and diagnostic impression of clients upon admission Make treatment recommendations and appropriate referrals Working with diverse client populations to include children, adolescents and adults, of various backgrounds and needs Respond to client crisis Prepare diagnostic reports Maintain up to date client records including treatment plans, progress notes, and referrals Makes referral and/or provides case management services Provides short-term crisis intervention Maintains up-to-date client records, prepares diagnostic reports Attends and testifies at hearings and legal proceedings involving client incarceration or hospitalization Documents and maintains units of service data, data collection and statistical reports Provides clinical supervision for licensure to staff within your division, or throughout the agency as needed Does related work as required XII. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to a, personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. No significant walking, moving, carrying, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling. XIII. DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: Valid Driver’s License. |
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