Associate Psychologist Jobs in Merced, CA (NOW HIRING)

Description There is currently one (1) Mental Health Clinician position available on the Triage Response Assessment of Crisis (TRAC) Team in the Behavioral Health Division of the Health and Human Services Agency. Only Online Applications will be Accepted. Plus $800 monthly stipend for employees who are Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT), or have a PhD in clinical psychology; or $700 monthly stipend for employees with a Master's in Social Work (MSW) or a Master of Art (MA) in clinical psychology.

DEFINITION To assess, diagnose, counsel, and provide psychotherapeutic treatment, rehabilitation, and care coordination for seriously emotionally disturbed children and adolescents, and seriously and persistently mentally ill adults; to provide educational and consultation services to other community agencies, and the public; and to perform related duties and responsibilities as required. SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED Receives direction from the Deputy Director of Behavioral Health or a Social Worker Supervisor II, or the Human Services Director. Examples of Duties Interviews potential clients to assess needs for mental health services or referral elsewhere.

Counsels or provides psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation services for individuals, family members and groups to assist them in achieving productive social adjustments, reducing the impact of disability disorders, and facilitating their achievement of living, vocational, recreational, and interpersonal goals. Documents clinical activity presenting diagnostic and interview findings, clinical evaluations, and Recommendations. Reviews diagnosis and treatment plans with other professional and technical staff, and may act as a case manager by coordinating services for clients to assure continuity of care and to assure that clients receive appropriate types of services.

Provides crisis counseling in the field and in the office for individuals experiencing acute episodes, evaluates patients and arranges for voluntary or involuntary admission to facilities for observation and treatment. Confers with and advises clients' relatives to secure their understanding of and cooperation in treatment and rehabilitation programs. Cooperates and works with other agencies and practitioners regarding mutual clientele.

Educates clients and their families regarding their diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and rehabilitation process. Manages the care of clients by assessing and referring them to public and private providers and monitoring their progress. Develops and presents training programs for departmental staff.

Develops, conducts, and/or participates in quality assurance and program evaluation studies. Assists clients to obtain stable housing, physical health care, benefits, and entitlements, and to basic living skills. Maintains billable productivity levels according to agency standards.

Performs administrative and general office work as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, attending meetings, copy and filing documents, sending and receiving faxes, entering and retrieving computer data, etc. Minimum Qualifications Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in social work, family or marriage counseling, psychology, or a closely related field. A copy of your Master's degree or college transcript MUST be attached to your application.

Additional Requirements: Possession of a valid California driver's license. Under certain circumstances, Human Resources may accept a valid driver's license from another State if the applicant acknowledges his/her intent to acquire a California driver's license within three months by signing an acknowledgment form. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions pertaining to this or other essential functions of this classification.

Possession of a valid license through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Associate Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or Associate MFT, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC). The possession of a valid license as a Clinical Psychologist issued by the Board of Psychology in California will also be accepted. In place of the aforementioned certifications, registration verification of an associate number pending assignment by the State of California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners will be accepted.

Requestors of associate numbers must receive the number within 90 days of hire to remain employed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions pertaining to this or other essential functions of this classification. A copy of your valid license, associate/registrant license, or registration verification of an associate number pending assignment by the State of California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners MUST be attached to your application.

Supplemental Information EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: Knowledge of: Assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment. Marriage, family, and child relationship dysfunctions. Methods of developing and implementing a treatment plan.

Current trends in the field of mental health. Laws and regulations applicable to mental health. Ability to: Perform effective counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups.

Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with clients' families, members of other professional disciplines, social agencies, and co-workers. Relate professionally with persons with serious mental disorders. Identify and utilize community resources.

Advise and train other mental health staff; and prepare and present clear and concise oral and written reports. TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions within the working conditions. Work is primarily performed in an office environment and includes interaction with clients who may display erratic and threatening behavior.

Work may involve stressful situations when confronted with emergencies, critical, unusual, or potentially dangerous situations. Employees may be subjected to verbal and physical abuse from clients. Work may include performing emergency response services during weekends, evenings, and holidays.

May be required to transport clients in a county vehicle. TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Requires the ability to work at a desk for multiple hours and intermittently travel to and from locations internal and external to the primary work location.

Move and reposition items up to ten pounds, use tools and controls, and operate office equipment. Must be able to maintain effective audio and visual discrimination and communicate with a telephone or via video conferencing technology. Must be able to communicate through written means to review, enter, and retrieve electronic information.

Requires the strength and stamina to perform clinical duties. THE SELECTION PROCESS All interested applicants must complete and submit a job application including any required supplemental questionnaires, and attach any required documentation. For those who meet the minimum qualifications, a competitive evaluation of the training and experience described on your application or supplemental questionnaire, a written examination, a structured oral interview, a performance rating, or a combination of any of these, may be performed.

You will be scored based on that competitive evaluation. This process may be altered if there are ten or less applicants that qualified.