Mental Health Licensed Therapist – HELP Program
RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of the following jurisdiction(s) for at least four months immediately preceding the date of the application:
- Livingston County, or
- One of the following Counties: Allegany, Genesee, Monroe, Ontario, Steuben or Wyoming
The work involves responsibility for providing assessments and intensive individual and group therapy for patients with emotional, social and related problems. The Mental Health Licensed Therapist – HELP Program also serves as a member of the clinic team working with other staff members in studying, diagnosing and planning treatment for patients. Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this class. The work is performed under the direct supervision of a Mental Health Clinical Supervisor who may define and limit the work to be performed. Employees of this class also provide consultation services to other community agencies to assist them in understanding and dealing with individual cases and may accept referrals from such agencies. Work is performed in the office and in the field. A Mental Health Licensed Therapist – HELP Program does related work as assigned.
Examples of Duties
Performs duties primarily for adult and youth patients in the non-Medicare population;
- Conducts mental health assessments;
- Conducts crisis assessments;
- Provides intensive individual and group therapy to patients with emotional, social and related problems;
- Compiles case records and documents to regulatory standards;
- Refers patients to community agencies which can provide necessary services;
- Provides consultation services for other community agencies to assist them in understanding and dealing with individual cases;
- Attends and participates in in-service training programs for clinic staff and staff members of cooperating agencies;
- Takes part in speaking engagements, panel discussions and community meetings concerned with community mental health programs;
- Serves as a member of the clinic team, providing social work or psychological expertise, to assist in studying and diagnosing patients and planning for their treatment;
- Responds to emergencies in the community as needed;
- Provides assistance with transportation, medication monitoring and advocacy as needed;
- Duties may be performed in the offices of the department or in the field as required; and
- Performs other related duties.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures of social work or psychology; good overall understanding of human behavior; ability to study, diagnose, test where appropriate, and clinically treat mentally and emotionally disturbed individuals and families; ability to deal effectively with crisis situations; ability to organize work effectively; ability to interpret federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting mental and health programs; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to keep accurate, clear, legible records and make reports; ability to prepare and present oral and written reports; good judgment; tact and courtesy; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
Typical Qualifications
Applicants must meet all requirements for one of the following qualification options in order to be approved for examination and/or appointment:
Training/Education - Master's Degree in a behavioral health field. General experience - None required. Supervisory experience - N.A. License/Certification - Licensed and currently registered by the New York State Education Department as a Master Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, or Licensed Psychologist. Other requirements - See Special Qualifications below.
Supplemental Information
- Appropriate professional licensure must be maintained throughout employment.
- Depending upon the particular work assignment, applicants may be required to possess a valid New York State driver's license and maintain said license throughout appointment, and must possess an automobile for use on the job. In the absence of these, alternate means of reliable transportation will be considered.
- Must authorize and execute any necessary releases to enable the appointing authority to verify licensure and driving history involving violations and/or crimes.
- Applicants appointed under Option 2 will be required to obtain their Clinical Social Worker or Master Social Worker license, as applicable, in accordance with NYS Education Law Article 154 §7705 within 18 months of appointment.
- Applicants appointed under Option 3 will be required to obtain their limited permit within 6 months of appointment and their Clinical Social Worker or Master Social Worker license, as applicable, in accordance with NYS Education Law Article 154 §7705 within 18 months of appointment.
NOTE: Livingston County residency is not a requirement for this position. However, Livingston County residents will be given preference in the hiring process. SPECIAL NOTE: This is a position in the non-competitive class. An appointee will attain permanent competitive status as a Mental Health Licensed Therapist, without examination, upon the HELP Program ending and one year of service with satisfactory ratings. Livingston County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
