About the Department

RESIDENCY: Candidates must have been legal residents of the following jurisdiction(s) for at least four months immediately preceding the date of your 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 Clinical 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 the 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 Clinical Therapist – HELP Program does related work as assigned.

Position Duties

• Performs duties for patients in any service population including the Medicare population;
• Conducts mental health assessments;
• Provides intensive individual and group therapy to patients with emotional, social and related problems;
• Works independently in making complete intake studies of new or readmitted patients;
• Compiles case records and maintains statistical records on case load and work activities;
• Refers patients to community agencies which can provide necessary services;
• Provides consultation services for other community agencies to assist them in understanding and dealings 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 as assigned.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements for one of the following qualification options in order to be approved for examination and/or appointment:

Qualification Option #	1	2	3
Training/Education	Possession of a Master’s of social work from a program registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)[1].	Possession of a Master’s of social work from a program registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)[1].	Possession of a doctoral degree in psychology from a program registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)[1].
General experience	None required.
Supervisory experience	N.A.
License/ Certification	Licensed and currently registered by the New York State Education Department as a Clinical Social Worker.	Limited permit[2] issued by the New York State Education Department to practice as a Clinical Social Worker per NYS Education Law Article 154 §7705.	Licensed and currently registered by the New York State Education Department as a Clinical Psychologist.
Other requirements	See Special Qualifications below.

Part-time service will be given prorated credit toward experience requirements.

Mental Health Clinical Therapists – HELP Program – NC in County Service

Other Qualifications

1. Appropriate professional licensure must be maintained throughout employment.
2. 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.
3. Must authorize and execute any necessary releases to enable the appointing authority to verify licensure and driving history involving violations and/or crimes. 
4. A driving record evidencing safe and responsible vehicle operation is required. 
5. Applicants appointed under Option 2  who do not possess the required professional license at time of appointment will be required to obtain their Clinical Social Worker license, as applicable, in accordance with NYS Education Law Article 154 §7705.

SPECIAL NOTE:  This is a position in the non-competitive class. An appointee will attain competitive status as a Mental Health Clinical Therapist, without examination, upon the HELP Program ending and one year of service with satisfactory ratings.