Jurisdiction: Cortland County

Jurisdictional Class: Competitive

Adopted: 7/28/2011

CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

Under the supervision of the Director of Community Mental Health Services and in consultation with the Medical Director/Psychiatrist, the work involves oversight and provision of mental health operations for the Cortland County Mental Health Department. The incumbent in this position develops policies and procedures, in accordance with State and Federal laws and rules, relative to standards and practices in services delivery. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Community Mental Health Services with wide leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in planning and carrying out the details of the work. Supervision is exercised over line supervisors and subordinate staff. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative Only)

Develops and recommends policies and procedures to comply with State and Federal laws, regulations and mandates with regard to the delivery of effective and efficient mental health program services within the department;

Supervises line supervisors and subordinate staff in administrating mental health

services;

Oversees the Continuing Day Treatment Program at Horizon House; provides supervision and coverage to administrative staff as necessary;

Manages intake and discharge processes for the clinic and CDT program;

Promotes quality assurance and best practice intervention by participating in utilization review, collaborative supervision;

Writes and submits grants for programs that will assist in the provision of services;

Formulates and recommends staffing plans and resource allocation for the division for budget approval;

Conducts interviews with potential employees, makes recommendations for hiring

and subsequent unit assignments, provides/coordinates new staff orientation;

Meets with other public and non-public agencies and advises them regarding

program development, gaps in service, and service delivery;

Develops processes to track and report program and client outcomes, and tracks and manages clinician productivity;

Conducts performance evaluations of line supervisors and ensures timely

evaluation of subordinate staff occurs;

Assesses and facilitates staff training and development needs;

Maintains cooperative working relations with the courts and other community providers.

Participates as a member of the agency Management Team;

Provides crisis intervention services as necessary and serves as a designee to the Director of Community Services.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Thorough knowledge of evidence based practices and implementation of treatment interventions and protocols, principles of clinical ethics, techniques of supervision, confidentiality and privacy, community resources and referral sources;

Thorough knowledge of State and Federal laws and rules governing mental health programs;

Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, administer and evaluate the effectiveness of program plans and provision of services related to mental health;

Ability to plan and supervise the work of others;

Ability to prepare budgets, operational reports and a variety of other reports relative to program activities;

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Ability to formulate a local government needs assessment for program areas;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs;

Physical condition commensurate with the standards of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS recognized college or university with a Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation or a closely related field AND four years of full-time paid experience or its part-time equivalent providing direct services to clients with mental illness, mental retardation, developmental disabilities or alcohol or substance abuse problems, two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a license as a “Licensed Clinical Social Worker” issued by the New York State Department of Education at time of appointment.