Class Code: 6321
FAMILY THERAPIST II
NATURE OF WORK
This is advanced
professional work involving in‑depth individual, group, or family counseling
with a high risk population including issues of domestic violence,
sexual abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, alcohol abuse and/or
drug abuse.
Work involves application of
a variety of advanced diagnostic and assessment techniques including group
methodologies and skill training within established policies and procedures.
Employees in this class may also
teach parenting skills through classes or group methods. Employees in this
class perform with some autonomy and make independent judgments within
established policies and procedures. Work is reviewed through conferences,
reports and observation of work achievements.
DISTINGUISHING
CHARACTERISTICS
This classification is
distinguished from Family Therapist I by the assignment of consumers with more
complex conditions and life events as well as by the requirement for
ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS May vary slightly based on area of
assignment.
Interviews, evaluates, and
assesses the needs of high-risk consumers. Develops treatment plans with
consumers.
Conducts
intensive ongoing individual, group, and/or family counseling sessions with
victims of sexual assault and/or abuse and/or child abuse or with individuals
with alcohol and/or drug abuse and/or mental health issues and/or their
families.
Prepares
progress notes, reports, and correspondence on assigned consumers using
computer-based office applications.
Maintains case records.
Completes psychosocial
evaluations, diagnoses psychological disorders, prepares comprehensive clinical
summaries, and makes treatment recommendations as required for area of assignment.
Provides
direct support to consumers in coordination with legal and social services as
appropriate. May
coordinate clients' involvement in judicial system as required by the area of
assignment to insure that clients have an understanding of the legal process.
May testify in judicial
processes as an expert witness and/or provide deposition and court testimony as
required for the area of assignment.
Attends staff meetings and
scheduled training sessions.
May supervise subordinate
staff and interns in the absence of the program supervisor or as assigned by
the program supervisor.
May be required to conduct
specialized risk assessment services with children and families involved in
child abuse allegations.
Performs
related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
AND SKILLS May vary
slightly based on area of assignment.
Knowledge
of psychological concepts of human behavior and development.
Knowledge
of a variety of advanced therapeutic methods, their techniques and application.
Knowledge of judicial system
process and laws as it relates to specific areas of sexual battery and/or to
substance abuse, as needed for the area of assignment.
Knowledge of child abuse and/or
neglect and sexual assault as needed for the area of assignment.
Knowledge
of public health laws and state regulations (65D-30) applicable to the area of
assignment, JCAHO standards, and federal confidentiality laws (42CFR, 45CFR).
Skill in individual
counseling, family counseling, and/or group counseling as required for area of
assignment.
Skill in play therapy as
needed for area of assignment.
Skill in clinical case
conceptualization as needed for area of assignment.
Ability to
establish rapport with clients under adverse conditions and to conduct
confidential interviews with mature judgment.
Ability to
secure psychological or psychiatric case information from persons interviewed
and from medical or psychiatric sources.
Ability to
interpret psychological or psychiatric information properly and make sound
recommendations.
Ability to
communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to react quickly and
calmly in emergency situations.
Ability to
prepare reports and accurate and comprehensive case histories using
computer-based applications.
May be
required to demonstrate ability to perform intensive therapy with the high risk
children and their families.
Ability to
serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in full accord
with the letter and spirit of
Ability to establish and
maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers,
elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural and linguistic
backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, ethnicity, disability,
sexual orientation, marital status, or political affiliation.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
AND TRAINING
Master's Degree from an
accredited college or university in psychology, guidance and counseling, social
work, or other field closely related to this assignment; two (2) years experience
in professional counseling; or any equivalent combination of relevant training
and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
Must obtain
NOTE Depending
upon area of assignment, may require one year of experience specifically with
abused and/or neglected children and/or may require possession of a valid
GENERAL INFORMATION
Bargaining Unit: Government
Supervisors Association (Professional Unit)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Code of Ethics
Certification: No
Work Location: Children=s Services Administration, Family Success Administration, Substance Abuse and Health
Care Services
Class Spec. Established: 01/1991
Revised: 10/2004