Clinical Mental Health Professional Lead

Job Summary

Are you passionate about working with underserved communities? Are you excited about leading a team?

If you answered yes, then you need to apply for Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) Clinical Mental Health Professional Lead – Substance Use Disorder Team position. This position is primarily located at the Travis County Correctional Complex and focuses on working with people incarcerated in the Travis County Jail who have serious substance use disorders. Our Clinical Mental Health Professional Lead works with our inmate population and identifies patients who are willing to start engaging in the treatment process. Our pre-treatment program provides education and creates a positive therapeutic environment that supports the individual in continuing treatment in the community.

This is a great position for someone who wants to be part of developing a new program and stepping into a leadership role where communication and facilitation skills would be used daily in a rewarding and fast-paced environment and wants a competitive Total Rewards Package. Travis County offers one of the highest rated retirement plans. We also offer vacation and sick leave, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, personal holidays, 12 company observed holidays, and longevity pay.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the third in a series of three (3) Clinical Mental Health Professional job classifications within the Social Services job 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 activities are conducted with clinical autonomy on more complicated cases while providing clinical training and supervision to junior staff. 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.
Coordinates team of substance use professionals who provide individual and group interventions
Develops and implements substance use education and pre-treatment program.
Observes and monitors patient’s physical, mental and emotional well-being by looking for behavior patterns and reports observations to treatment team.
Develops patient treatment plans.
Provides clinical mental health diagnosis of inmates and makes referrals to psychiatry team as needed.
Develops and leads group counseling programs for inmates with substance use disorders.
Completes 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.
Provides clinical supervision to interns and junior staff.
Provides training to medical, counseling, program and correctional staff.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:
Master's Degree in Counseling, Social Work or Psychology AND five (5) years social service experience.

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

At least one of the following:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC),
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Psychologist

Applicants are required to attach a resume with the application.

Preferred:
Seven (7) years paid experience in the counseling, social work, human services, education or criminal justice fields providing direct services to individuals.
Supervisory licensure with mental health licensure.
Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:
Mental illness, substance use, developmental disabilities, head and traumatic brain injuries.
Interventions and treatment of substance use disorders.
Understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and impact of trauma on the individual.
Treatment and counseling strategies to address maladaptive behaviors.
Criminogenic risk factors that lead to incarceration.
Proper documentation practices.
Preventative management strategies of aggressive individuals.
Proper supervision techniques for mental health professionals who require clinical supervision.
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 substance use, such as depression, anxiety, mania and hallucinations.
Development of treatment plans.
Counseling and group process.
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. This position will be located in the Travis County Correctional Complex with occasional work at the Travis County Jail in downtown Austin. Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM with occasional nights and 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.

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.

Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday with occasional nights and weekends.

Department: Sheriff

Location: Austin, TX

Drug and Alcohol Exam Required
Criminal, Credit, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Check Required.

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