JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT – CLINICAL – CLINICAL THERAPIST

Minimum Qualifications

****Salary will be based on licensing, training, and experience****

Acceptable Experience and Education
M.S or M.A. degree in a counseling field such as Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Counseling and Child Therapy.
Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

Certificates Licenses, and other requirements:
In order to access into the County’s network and systems, a personal smart device is required by the hire start date.
Must have telephone and report residence.
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.
Proof of automobile liability insurance coverage is required.
Must be licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) AND be licensed as a Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Provider (LSOTP) OR Affiliate Sex Offender Treatment Provider (ASOTP) in the state of Texas.
Qualified licenses from other states must be eligible for reciprocity in the state of Texas and obtain full licensure from the state of Texas within six months of hire date.
Therapists holding an Affiliate Sex Offender Treatment Provider (ASOTP) OR Licensed Professional Counselor Intern License must obtain full licensure within two years from date of hire.
Must meet and maintain licensing and/or certification standards and be in good standing with the Department of State Health Services.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: evidence based programs and practices; ; juvenile sex offender treatment theories and practices in treatment; best practices and treatment modalities for providing therapeutic services to justice involved youth and families with co-occurring disorders (substance use and mental health) as well as be culturally astute to this diverse population; sexual deviances, sexual assaults, trauma, community safety issues, best practices and modalities for providing therapeutic services for youthful offenders as well as be culturally astute to this diverse population; Title III of the Texas Family Code; Texas Juvenile Justice Department Standards; best practice and evidence based treatment modalities for youthful offenders; penal code and code of criminal procedures as it applies to reportable offenses and registration proceedings; polygraph examinations; standards regarding the use and administration of a polygraph for treatment purposes; counseling and crisis stabilization techniques and resources; range of counseling practices, theories and modalities to facilitate the rehabilitative process and the amelioration of symptoms; sexual behavior issues and/or maladjusted youth; Departmental, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, Council on Sex Offender Treatment, and Texas Health and Human Services Commission licensing standards; legal terminology; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.
Skill/Ability to: learn and apply current juvenile justice theories and practices; assess and administer psychometric tests and assessments tools to accurately identify medical, psychosocial, environmental factors, client strengths, risks and needs as well as develop diagnostic impressions; develop treatment recommendations, identification of services and interventions; facilitate the rehabilitative process and the amelioration of identified symptoms/behaviors associated with a mental, behavioral health and/or sexual behavioral issue; utilize counseling and crisis stabilization techniques and resources; possess strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills; use de-escalation techniques and strategies to ensure a safe therapeutic environment; analyze situation; formulate recommendations; facilitate change with assigned cases, as a part of the multidisciplinary team, and within the organization; facilitate individual, groups and family sessions with youth with sexual behavior issues and/or maladjusted youth; adhere to Departmental, Texas Juvenile Justice Department Council on Sex Offender Treatment, Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, and Texas Health and Human Services Commission licensing standards; be flexible to the needs of the department and program and make required changes to fulfill those needs; possess excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills; testify in legal proceedings; possess a high degree of maturity coupled with interest in working with children/adolescents and their families and the ability to work positively and effectively with all types of children including severely maladjusted children and sex offenders; work efficiently, both independently and as a team; manage time and meet established deadlines; possess organizational and time management skills coupled with accurate record keeping ensuring services are prioritized and adhere to Departmental, State and Federal Standards and/or laws regarding record keeping and treatment files; aware of self-care methods and practice; establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental personnel, clients, other County employees and officials, clinical service providers, law enforcement, the courts and the general public; pass a Criminal Background Check.

• Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:
• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times;
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence.

Typical Duties
Essential Duties
Administers, scores, and interprets results of behavioral health and sexual behavioral health assessments using psychometric tools and clinical interviews to effectively assess and diagnosis mental, emotional, sexual, and behavioral health issues in youth referred or adjudicated for reportable offenses;
Develops behavioral health and/or sexual behavioral health assessments including the formulation of diagnostic impressions and recommendations that will serve as the foundation for diagnoses and treatment planning;
Provides individual, family, and group counseling related to mental, sexual, and behavioral health problems, substance abuse and/or adjunct services as well as crisis intervention as needed;
Conducts family intake and admissions, provide treatment materials, and schedule services;
Formulates treatment goals and objectives through therapeutic alliance with family and support systems;
Provides parenting, Chaperon, and/or family reintegration therapeutic services;
Conducts case staffing and attends meetings to determine treatment needs and aid in the development and execution of treatment, treatment, and discharge plans;
Develops progress reports and recommendations for continued services;
Develops treatment plans and conduct treatment plan reviews and develop summaries as established by the department;
Documents treatment services, progress notes and any pertinent information in client’s clinical record in accordance with departmental, HHSC, CSOT, TBHEC and TJJD standards;
Ensures files and clinical records are maintained in accordance to state and departmental standards as well as 42 CFR Part 2 pertaining to release of confidential information for substance abuse records and 45 CFR 164 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as it applies to standards of privacy of individual identifiable health information use and disclosure of protected health information;
Collaborates with multidisciplinary team and departmental personnel to aid in determining eligibility criteria determination regarding services and supervision levels;
Files, maintains, and updates spreadsheets, documents, referrals, and other forms for juvenile records and maintains compliance with all applicable regulations and standards;
Adheres to ethical standards, guidelines and practices as outlined in federal, state, and departmental standards regarding licensed/professional personnel;
Participates in research projects and program evaluations as approved by the Juvenile Board;
Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;??
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; ?
Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills;?
Other Important Duties
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
Must be available to work non-traditional hours and be on call as necessary on official business.
Maintains a safe and healthy workplace environment.
As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary
The Clinical Therapist I provides counseling interventions to justice involved youth and their families to address sexual behavioral issues for adjudicated and non-adjudicated youth as well as adjunct services which may include treating trauma, substance abuse, co-occurring and/or other mental/behavioral health needs. Clinical Therapist I also performs assessments, testing through the application of psychometrics and risk assessment tools, report writing and formulations of treatment, supervision, and registration recommendations, under the the guidance/supervision of a Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Provider. The Clinical Therapist I shall demonstrate assurance of adherence to departmental policies and procedures and treatment is provided in accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services, Council on Sex Offender Management, the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

Additional Information
Organizational Relationships
Reports to: Director of Clinical Services

Directs: This is a non-supervisory position

Other: Has regular contact with court staff, Probation Officers, youth, and families

Physical Demands
While working in the office, the incumbent will sit for long periods of time in front of a computer terminal using a keyboard and mouse. The employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Must have the ability to see well enough to read documents and computer screens; Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus. Lifting or carrying up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment
Office environment and field work. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. May be exposed to violent situations or the aftermath. Home visits may be with individuals with mental, behavioral health, substance abuse disorders and sex offenders. The employee is required to visit homes of youth located in high crime areas and with a population prone to delinquent and criminal acts. This may entail extensive walking on different levels of terrain, as well as, climbing stairs. This requires the employee to be out in the physical elements of weather, including possible prolonged exposure to the sun, rain, etc.

Services may be provided in a secure correctional setting to include working in locked and/or secured spaces within the Challenge Academy and detention facility. The employee shall receive and apply specific training in the areas of security and correctional procedures. The position may be considered high stress while working with resistant youthful offenders, their families and correctional staff.

Clinical Environment
Services may be provided in a secure correctional setting to include working in locked and/or secured spaces within the Challenge Academy and detention facility. The Clinical Therapist shall receive and apply specific training in the areas of security and correctional procedures. The position may be considered high stress while working with resistant youthful offenders, their families and correctional staff.

The above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.