Behavioral Health Clinician (2930) - Citywide - H00042

Under general supervision, the 2930 Behavioral Health Clinician performs essential duties that include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assesses prospective clients and their significant others/families for psychiatric services by interviewing clients; reviewing pertinent factors such as: reasons for referral, perception of personal problems, psychosocial history, environment, physical health, culture and motivation for treatment; advising clients about confidentiality and scope of services; developing and coordinating treatment plans to determine effective use of rehabilitative mental health services;

• Analyzes data by obtaining information through interviews, psychological/medical reports and previous psychiatric history to determine the appropriateness of referral and make recommendations for the disposition of each case;

• Compiles and maintains client records by preparing written/electronic documentation, charts, statistical data, periodic reports, forms, and billing/entitlement information to enhance treatment programs and collection of revenue, ensure proper compliance with legal provisions, including mandatory reporting, and expedite timely access to services;

• Establishes and maintains professional relationships by collaborating with other service providers (e.g. nurses, primary care providers with probation and child welfare, psychologists, teachers, lawyers, physicians) to consult on medical, psychiatric  and psychosocial issues; attends staff meetings/conferences with other agencies/teams to solve problems, coordinate care. If appropriate, serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary team;

• Develops and implements comprehensive treatment plan aimed at wellness and recovery by engaging clients in appropriate treatment modalities (e.g. individual, group, collateral crisis intervention); at successive intervals to observe and analyze changes to determine success in treatment goals to help reduce and improve targeted community functionality;

• Provides individual, group family (including other significant support systems) psychotherapy, crisis intervention, outreach services, culturally competent interventions, case management and rehabilitation to clients enrolled in behavioral health services;

• Refers clients to appropriate community resources services such as mental health consumer service providers, self-help organizations, medical care, vocational rehab and substance abuse services to integrate clinical and practical interventions; actively manages caseload by maximizing use of resources to meet client needs;

• Advocates for accessibility and improved services for individual clients/groups by identifying client needs, provides input in developing treatment/program models, interfacing with administration and intra-agency contacts;

• Participates and contributes to Quality Improvement activities at local sites and system levels; and

• May supervise support staff such as Health Workers.

• The 2930 Behavioral Health Clinician performs related duties as required.

Nature of  work requires carrying out and explaining established methods and procedures to applicants, recipients and others; achieving economies and/or preventing losses through careful and judicious interpretations of various legal provisions, methods and procedures in recommending assistance; making regular contacts with applicants, recipients, their families and others concerned, also with employees, other departments and outside organizations; gathering, compiling and reviewing important detailed psychiatric financial, personal and confidential information.

Nature of duties involves occasional exposure to accident hazards and disagreeable elements in dealing with mentally ill and emotionally disturbed persons.

Please note that incumbents in this classification may be required to perform duties as listed in the class specification, which can be found on DHR’s website: https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/