Clinical Mental Health Professional

Job Summary

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Clinical Mental Health Professionals manage staff of mental health professionals who provide direct intervention services to youth involved with Travis County Juvenile Probation, both within a residential and community setting. They develop, implement and manage goals, objectives, activities and schedules related to screening, assessing, monitoring and providing treatment to juveniles. They manage operations, recommend and initiate changes in procedures, protocols and policies. They oversee clinical supervision, licensure of staff and quality assurance of program area.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the first in a series of three (3) Clinical Mental Health Professional job classifications within the Social Services family and provides professional mental health services to inmates incarcerated in the Travis County Jail. This classification is distinguished from other Correctional Mental Health Professionals in that most activities are conducted under clinical supervision of senior mental health professionals. This classification requires work in a secure facility with inmates who have serious mental health illnesses and requires a flexible schedule in order to meet the needs of the department

Duties and Responsibilities

Maintain safety and security of self, others and facility at all times.
Completes regularly assigned screening and assessment of patient suicidal behavior, mental illness, substance use and vulnerabilities.
Observes and monitors patient's physical, mental and emotional well-being by looking for behavior patterns and report observations to treatment team.
Develops patient treatment plans.
Completes daily documentation of patient status.
Reports and documents any issues, concerns or problems with medications, or changes in patient mental or physical health.
Participates as a member of the treatment team.
Communicates patient treatment plans and concerns with mental health and medical staff and corrections officers.
Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Master's Degree in Counseling, Social Work or Psychology AND one (1) year social service experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License.

At least one of the following:
Licensed Masters of Social Worker (LMSW),
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) ,
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Psychologist
Those with temporary, provisional, associate or intern LPC, LMFT or Psychologist licenses must provide documentation of on-going clinical supervision during employment until full licensure is achieved. Documentation of full licensure must be provided within 2 years of employment.

Preferred:
Two (2) years' paid experience in the counseling, social work, human services, education or criminal justice fields providing direct services to individuals.
Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)
Spanish Speaker

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:
Mental illness, substance use, intellectual &developmental disabilities, head and traumatic brain injuries.
Treatment and counseling strategies to address maladaptive behaviors.
Criminogenic risk factors that lead to incarceration.
Proper documentation practices.
Preventative management strategies of aggressive individuals.
Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
Knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.
Skill in:
Active listening, critical thinking, active learning, service orientation, assertiveness, sound judgment and decision making.
Effective communication with those impacted by symptoms of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, mania and hallucinations.
Development of treatment plans.
Problem solving.
Use of Electronic Medical Record, Microsoft Office Suite and other basic computer applications.
Both verbal and written communication.
Ability to:
Discern potential problems and involve appropriate staff in problem solving.
Resolve conflict and work with resistant patients to meet treatment goals.
Maintain a safe and secure environment.
Interact with patients in a caring manner.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, other County employees and officials, community outreach and other organizations, clinical service providers, law enforcement personnel and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

Schedule May Vary. Works some weekends.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment background checks required.
Drug Test, Alcohol Test, and Psychological Exam required.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
BenefitsEmployment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.FY2024 Travis County Benefit GuideIn this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.Credit UnionEmployees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.Deferred CompensationEmployees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.Direct DepositEmployees may sign up for direct bank deposit.Employee Assistance ProgramTravis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.Employee OrganizationsMembership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.Employee Health & Wellness ClinicEmployees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.HolidaysAn average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.LongevityLongevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.ParkingA limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.Personal HolidaysRegular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:January - March3 personal holidays April - June2 personal holidays July - September1 personal holiday October - DecemberNoneNew employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.RetirementTravis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Matching of two hundred twenty-five (225%) and a seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.Sick LeaveRegular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.Parental LeaveEach Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.Tuition RefundCertain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.VacationBased on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:0 to 5 years4.0 hours per pay period 6 to 10 years4.5 hours per pay period 11 to 15 years5.0 hours per pay period 16 to 20 years5.5 hours per pay period 21 plus years6.0 hours per pay periodPart-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis . click apply for full job details

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