Marriage and Family Therapist I - Custody Health Services

County of Santa Clara•Santa Clara, CA

About The Position

Under supervision, the Marriage and Family Therapist I (pre-licensed) provides counseling, psychotherapy, case management, and treatment services in a counseling center, clinic, or institutional setting. This recruitment may fill vacant positions in several classifications: Marriage and Family Therapist I (associate), Marriage and Family Therapist II (licensed), Psychiatric Social Worker I (associate), or Psychiatric Social Worker II (licensed). Applicants need apply to only one posting for which they qualify. The eligible list is used to fill vacancies for the following month; qualified applicants remain on the list for one month and must reapply each month to be considered for future opportunities. Custody Health Services provides medical, mental health, and dental services to people in custody at the County’s Main Jail, Elmwood, Juvenile Hall, and James Ranch facilities. Services include routine and urgent or emergent care, treatment of acute and chronic illness, preventative and specialty care, and acute psychiatric inpatient stabilization in a 40-bed unit at Main Jail. Juvenile Custody Health Services provides integrated pediatric medical, mental health, and dental care to justice-involved youth. Selected candidates must be able to work in a correctional facility and pass a background check for security clearance. Some positions may require credentialing before appointment. Employees may need to travel to alternate work locations. County employees, including extra-help employees, are designated Disaster Service Workers and must complete assigned training and return to work as ordered during an emergency.

Requirements

Possess a master’s degree qualifying the candidate for licensure as described in the special requirements.
Possess and maintain current registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor for the duration of employment in this classification.
Comply with California licensure requirements established by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Be able to travel to alternate locations in the course of work.
If driving, possess a valid California driver’s license before appointment and qualify for and maintain County driver authorization.
Pass a background check for security clearance to work in a correctional facility.
Complete assigned Disaster Service Worker training and return to work as ordered in an emergency.
Knowledge of theory and treatment practice concerning intrapsychic, interpersonal, and social pathology.
Knowledge of community mental health and substance use intervention theory and practice.
Knowledge of community agencies and resources serving people with mental illness or substance use disorders.
Knowledge of physical and mental illnesses and their effects on personality.
Knowledge of English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and common computer systems and applications.
Ability to apply theory and practice concerning intrapsychic, interpersonal, and social pathology.
Ability to conduct differential diagnosis.
Ability to develop and implement a counseling program.
Ability to use psychiatric consultation effectively.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.

Responsibilities

Provide intensive counseling, psychotherapy, case management, and treatment services to patients or clients and their families.
Participate in evaluating presenting problems and developing treatment plans.
May participate in a group therapy program.
Work with staff and community agencies to carry out treatment plans.
Participate in psychotherapy and case management programs with psychiatric staff treatment teams.
Explain social and emotional factors related to illness to clients, relatives, and community groups; may conduct educational sessions and training events.
Evaluate new techniques for addressing emotional and environmental problems.
Refer patients or clients to appropriate community agencies.
May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required.
Perform other related duties as required.