County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to provide clinical and case management services in Mental Health Service facilities; to make mental health/environmental assessments and provide psychotherapy for assigned clients; to gather and present case history data; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a journey-level marriage and family therapist class located in the Health Care Services Agency, requiring a person to be fully trained and professionally skilled upon entrance into this class. Marriage and Family Therapist II's provide a full range of marriage and family therapy services involving considerable latitude and independence of judgment. Direct supervisory review and guidance is provided only in selected cases. In contrast, the Marriage and Family Therapist I is an entry-level class requiring appropriate academic training, but no post-master's clinical experience. Incumbents of this class may direct the work of trainees and/or interns, and may supervise other staff for clinical licensing purposes but do not have formal supervisory responsibility (involving performance evaluations, scheduling, and involvement in disciplinary action and the hiring of permanent staff).

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Provides psychotherapy and case management services to clients and consultation to clinic staff members; interviews clients and families to gather social and psychiatric data; prepares mental health/environmental case histories for use in diagnosis; and participates in developing psychological treatment programs and case planning for the clients.
2. Meets with clients for regular therapeutic interviews; guides the client in understanding his/her illness and contributing personal, social, and economic factors; assists patients in developing realistic plans; advises clients on community resources; and makes referrals and other arrangements as necessary.
3. Works with families of clients to elicit their cooperation in treatment programs or commitment and admission proceedings; works with community agencies as required to assist clients in their treatment plans and in coping with environmental needs such as housing, medical care, and employment.
4. Interprets procedures to interested lay persons; and participates in admission procedures, commitment hearings, giving factual and corroborative testimony regarding environmental and psychological history and present behavior of the client; contacts public, social, and welfare agencies to obtain and provide information; answers correspondence regarding community facilities, commitment and admission procedures, and mental health matters and makes referrals when warranted.
5. Attends staff conferences and training sessions; presents case history material for review and discussion with other staff members; consults with persons of other disciplines as required; seeks advice and guidance from senior personnel assigned to the program whenever especially difficult or an atypical situation develops.
6. Prepares reports, case summaries, and correspondence as required; maintains case histories and work records, including required statistics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the class of Marriage and Family Therapist I in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney's Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II
Education:

Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited school in Marriage and Family Therapy; Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy; or a Master's degree in Nursing or Social Work or equivalent degree which meets requirements set by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapy License,

AND
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of post-master's experience as a psychotherapist or marriage, family and child therapist in an out-patient facility, hospital or other clinical or agency setting.

License:

Possession of a Marriage Family Therapist License issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners or be registered as a Marriage Family Therapist Intern. Incumbents in this class must comply with California licensure requirements. This applies even if applicant is a licensed professional in another state.

Some positions require a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Applicants must possess such license prior to appointment to such position.

Special Requirements:

In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in this classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day on the job.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, terminology, techniques and trends of psychotherapy and marriage and family therapy.
• Social aspects of mental and emotional disturbances and their characteristics.
• Dynamics of personal and social adjustment, normal and abnormal behavior, and counseling techniques, including but not limited to therapy with families, couples, groups and individuals, including children, appropriate to rehabilitative work.
• Scope, activities and functions of the various mental health facilities, such as the public and private community agencies concerned with mental health.
• Mental health treatment centers and various treatment modalities.

Ability to:

• Develop effective productive therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Secure accurate social and personal data and to systematically record such data.
• Utilize community resources in the care of mentally disturbed persons.
• Work effectively with others.
• Write and speak effectively, maintaining necessary records and prepare reports, including statistics.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.