DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: An employee in this class provides a full range of psychotherapy, counseling, case management and social work services for children and their families. This is the entry level position as a primary therapist in the Ulster County Mental Health Department.  Clinical supervision is received from higher ranked clinicians at regularly scheduled sessions and on request, with considerable leeway allowed for the use of independent judgment and initiative in individual cases.  Clinical supervision may be exercised over the work of students serving clinical internships within the agency.  Administrative supervision is not a responsibility of an employee in this class.  Does related work as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thorough knowledge of the causes, effects and symptoms of mental illness and of counseling and psychotherapeutic techniques including expressive therapies for children and their families; thorough knowledge of area behavioral health, medical, educational, vocational, legal and social service providers and other available community resources and ability to effectively utilize these resources, in conjunction with direct clinical services, in an overall psychosocial approach to treating the client; working knowledge of child development; ability to establish and maintain effective liaison with a variety of other service providers; ability to establish and maintain rapport with behavioral health clients and their families; ability to maintain records and prepare narrative reports, statistical reports and general correspondence; ability to provide clinical supervision to students; willingness to participate in and benefit from in-service training; willingness to keep abreast of new developments related to behavioral health, and child and family treatment; sound professional judgment; tact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:

A.   (1) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology.  The doctoral degree must have been granted on the basis of completion of a program of psychology registered with the New York State Department of Education or the substantial equivalent thereof, in accordance with the New York State Commissioner of Education’s regulations; AND

      (2) Current licensure as a Psychologist issued by the New York State Department of Education; OR

 B.   (1) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Master's       Degree in Social Work including one year of clinical practicum or one year of post-degree clinical experience, if no practicum; AND

       (2)Current licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) by the New York State Department of Education;OR

 C.   (1) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Clinical Master's Degree from a psychiatric/mental health nursing program, including one year of practicum or one year of post-degree experience if no practicum; AND 

        (2) Current licensure as a Registered Nurse by the New York State Department of Education; OR

 D.    (1) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing/Psychology; AND 

        (2) Three (3) years of post-degree professional nursing experience in mental health or psychiatric nursing in a position involving direct service to clients; AND

        (3) Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse by the New York State Department of Education.

  IF COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IS INDICATED; TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AND SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED.  A CANDIDATE LACKING THE REQUIRED TRANSCRIPTS WILL RECEIVE A CONDITIONAL APPROVAL PENDING THE RECEIPT OF TRANSCRIPTS.

Special Requirement for appointment to Ulster County positions: In accordance with Ulster County Legislative Local Law Number 14 of 2007 or by other State and Federal Statutes, candidates for employment to all Ulster County positions must obtain clearance for appointment from the Department of Criminal Justice System or other mandated Federal and State regulatory authority based upon fingerprinting and a criminal history background check.

ULSTER COUNTY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, disabled veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.