Behavioral Health Clinician III
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Stockton, CA, 95204
Job Type : Full Time
Salary : 43.1-64.11 HOUR
Date Posted : 31 December 2025
Job Summary and Responsibilities
This position is self-directed, requiring full participation and dedication within a self-directed team. The purpose of this position is to provide a variety of services that include: initial intake; assessments; brief therapy, crisis evaluation; phone triage with clients, procuring re-authorization from insurance companies to pay for services, coordination of mental healthcare benefits for clients and other behavioral health patients, and referrals to appropriate services. This position requires using only therapeutic procedures approved by the Manager and within professional scope of practice, adherence to organizational policies, the W & I Code and organizational billing requirements, and professional and ethical behavior at all times.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides direct mental health services to clients of all ages.
- Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable goals and objectives.
- Maintains 75% of time spent in providing direct clients services that can be billed.
- Provides extensive and accurate documentation in a timely and thorough manner regarding services.
- Coordinates with others to procure insurance authorizations.
- Performs the necessary documentation and tracking functions needed to comply with health plan and contractual requirements.
- Participates in peer review upon request.
Experience:
- One (1) years post-licensure clinical experience. Experience in providing a variety of clinical modalities and services to clients of all ages and a broad variety of diagnoses. Required skills include assessment formulation of treatment
plans; intervention planning and follow through providing documentation of services. Evaluating suicidal and homicidal risk and other high risk situations (i.e. psychotic process; drug/alcohol use/intoxication.
Education:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Masters degree in an appropriate behavioral science discipline. Maintain current continuing education units as required for license renewal.
Licensure:
- Current unrestricted license in the State of California as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
- Current California Drivers License if position requires movement between facilities on a regular basis.
Special Skills:
- DSM IV and 5.
- Normal and abnormal psychology.
- Assessment skills and crisis intervention.
- Treatment planning and intervention skills.
- Individual and group treatment methods.
- Sensitivity to and awareness of cultural and ethnic diversity of clients.
- Ethical and legal issues.
- Community resources.
- Billing and documentation requirements
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Maintain an appropriate balance between direct client contact and documentation time.
- Adhere to all client confidentiality requirements and standards.
- Manage significant electronic paperwork functions necessary to support insurance billing.
- Ability to manage the case load and schedule to meet productivity expectations; 80% of time must be spent in providing direct client services that can be billed.
- Ability to effectively resolve conflict and cope with crisis situations.
- Ability to establish and maintain rapport to engage clients effectively in treatment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Brief focused therapy Comfort working with broad age range from with youth through adults.
- Two (2) or more years post-licensure experience preferred due to insurance contract requirements. Experience working in substance abuse treatment eating disorders and/or experience leading groups and classes is desirable.
- Advanced training in any evidence-based practices is a plus.
St. Joseph's Behavioral Health Center is a member of Dignity Health. The word dignity perfectly defines what our organization stands for showing respect for all people by providing excellent care. St. Joseph's Behavioral Health Center is a licensed not-for-profit facility providing comprehensive behavioral health services such as psychiatric and chemical dependency disorders. We offer a 35-bed inpatient hospital day treatment and outpatient services. Our specially trained staff of board certified psychiatrists physicians and licensed professionals are committed to providing compassionate quality care and creating an atmosphere that fosters communication trust and personal growth.
One Community. One Mission. One California
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Frequently asked questions
Behavioral Health Clinician IIIs develop personalized treatment plans considering unique psychological needs across age ranges, from youth to adults. They employ varied clinical modalities and adjust interventions to effectively address different diagnoses, ensuring measurable outcomes aligned with patients' developmental stages.
Clinicians at level III possess advanced skills in risk assessment, crisis intervention, and documentation, backed by at least one year post-licensure experience. They demonstrate proficiency in managing complex cases, coordinating insurance authorizations, and applying evidence-based therapies beyond foundational practices.
In California, Behavioral Health Clinician IIIs can progress toward supervisory or program management positions, especially within integrated healthcare systems. Gaining certifications in evidence-based practices and expanding expertise in specialized areas like substance abuse or eating disorders enhances upward mobility.
Catholic Health Initiatives emphasizes ethical standards and collaborative, self-directed team dynamics. Clinicians must adhere strictly to organizational policies, W&I code, and billing protocols, fostering an environment of respect and quality care that aligns with the company’s mission-driven culture.
The organization provides structured processes for insurance authorization coordination and documentation compliance. Clinicians can leverage electronic documentation tools and peer review systems, ensuring efficiency while maintaining the requisite 75-80% direct client service billable time.
Stockton's expanding behavioral health services increase demand for skilled clinicians, especially those with post-licensure experience. The region's focus on integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment creates a moderately competitive market, rewarding advanced clinical expertise and cultural competence.
Traffic congestion during peak hours can affect timely arrival between facilities. Many clinicians rely on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options, making a valid California driver's license essential for flexible movement and meeting productivity expectations across multiple sites.
Salaries typically range from $70,000 to $90,000 annually, reflecting California’s cost of living and specialized clinical experience requirements. Factors influencing compensation include licensure type, years post-licensure, and proficiency in evidence-based treatment methods within behavioral health settings.
Clinicians are expected to dedicate approximately 75-80% of their time to direct client services, with the remainder focused on thorough, timely documentation and insurance coordination. This balance ensures compliance with billing standards while preserving high-quality therapeutic engagement.
Candidates must hold a current, unrestricted California license as either a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), meeting state regulatory standards to legally provide behavioral health services within this role.