Mental Health Therapist

Special for Service Groups Inc

Job Announcement

Title: Mental Health Therapist                          Division: HOPICS- Trauma Recovery Center (TRC)

FLSA: Non-Exempt (40 Hours)                        Supervisor: Program Manager

Pay Range or Rate: $34.00-$36.00 per hour     Revised:  8/28/2023

Summary

Under the supervision of the Program Manager and/or Senior Manager for Mental Health Services and/or the Associate Director, the Incumbent (Mental Health Therapist) will perform professional clinical services in connection with treatment of mentally ill and emotionally disturbed consumers that have been a victim of a crime. Incumbent will determine the percentage of symptoms and behaviors that are related to crime to determine the level of services and assess additional needs. Incumbent will assist consumers and their significant relational figures in understanding and developing solutions to problems that lead to and result from emotional and mental disturbances. The incumbent will be required to produce and maintain work productivity of a minimum of 70 percent.

Incumbents of this position will need to have specialized training in treating trauma, collaborating with law enforcement, Victims Compensation Board, Victims Advocates and the District Attorney's Office. Mental Health Therapist may also be required to testify in court related to the effects that crime had on the trauma symptoms of the consumer. Incumbent will also provide technical guidance; consultation and supervision (attend) to enhance their skill in developing bio psychosocial assessments, in formulating effective treatment plans that correlate with differential diagnosis. Mental Health Therapist will comply with all ethical/legal mandates for reporting; provide psychotherapeutic methods in assessment, implementing treatment plans in order to develop a corresponding progress for various mental disturbances related to trauma. Mental Health Therapist will ensure that all services relate to the crime and must be able to connect the current situation to as triggered symptoms of mental illness that existed. The Mental Health Therapist must be able to ordinate the workday responsibility in order to service clients, attend meetings and participate in trainings.

Essential Functions

• Will determine the case management and rehabilitation services needed to connect with other mental health services.
• Will coordinate all services to be performed, both therapeutic and rehabilitation, for consumers within the program.
• Will provide effective service delivery to clients by providing individual counseling, group counseling, and co-occurring counseling (all services utilizing Trauma Focused approach).
• Must be able to work with homeless consumers, adults with co-occurring substance abuse issues, and mental/physical/developmental disabilities.
• Will participate in all meetings with law enforcement and District Attorney, trainings, collaborations, and task force meetings within the community and be prepared to discuss, educate, present or evaluate the nature and progress of presenting issues.
• Will be able to document effectively in accordance with established standards of care on a daily basis.
• Will participate in meetings in which case presentations are required to educate, present and/or evaluate the nature and progress of presenting issues.
• Will attend other meetings, training sessions, seminars, as needed to effectively perform duties affiliated with this position.
• Will coordinate program activities to meet contractual agreements, laws, regulations, and funding directly with the program manager.
• Will participate in weekly supervision (individual and group).
• Will assume other tasks as assigned and required by the Program Manager, Senior Manager or Associate Director.
• Will be required to conduct interventions in the field.
• Participate in all mandatory programs, division meetings and trainings (which includes offsite meetings and trainings), as assigned by his/her program manager and/or Associate Director of Behavioral Health Services/Division Director.
• Must maintain appropriate boundaries; and adhere to SSG’s Code of Ethics and HOPICS’ Core Values.
• Must represent the agency in a professional manner at meetings and community events.
• Must maintain files/records on client services in compliance with HIPAA & CFR42 and other funding requirements for auditing purpose.
• Must maintain regular attendance and other duties as needed.
• Upon resignation, the Mental Health Therapist will ensure that all clients records/documentation are submitted or arrange with the Program Manager to send them in.

Minimum Qualifications - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• MSW/MFT Registered or Waivered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (Active and in Good Standing) or LCSW/LMFT with the Board of Behavioral Services (Active and in Good Standing) at all times during this agreement.

•     A minimum of one year recognized social service agency, clinic, hospital, or public health agency involved in the problems of mental, emotional adjustment, addiction treatment and counseling and the use of psychiatric consultation.

•     Working knowledge of Evidence Based practices and fidelity to the Model(s) and knowledge of DSM-V and ability to diagnose.

•     Experience with providing clinical services under Department of Mental Health contracts and Medi­ Cal preferred.

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

•     Reliable transportation.

•     Ability to perform duties on some weekday evenings and weekend days when required.

•     Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

•     Ability to work in interdisciplinary team (homeless, substance abuse, court referred, mental health).

• Must be able to work effectively and produce quality work under pressure.

•     CPR, Finger Printing and First Aid Certification within the first thirty-days (30) of employment (along with HIV/ AIDS training) in the first 3 months of employment.

•     Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background clearance required.

•     TB test required (Note: Results may not be more than (3) months prior to or (7) days after date of hire and renewed annually thereafter).

•     Valid Driver's License and auto insurance required.

•     Ability to work with clients from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

•     Ability to communicate effectively both written and orally with collaborative entities.

•     Neat and professional appearance.

•     Attention to detail and punctuality required.

•     Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Internet.

•     Be able to report (verbal/written) in accordance with the law all legal issues that surface (Tarasoff, child abuse, vulnerable adult abuse, danger to self/others and grave disability).

•     Professional experience working within a multi -integrated team.

•     Be able to coordinate the submission of client documentation if unable to work.

• If in recovery, a minimum of three (3) years of being drug and alcohol free.
• Bilingual preferred, but not required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

May be exposed to aggressive/hostile clients: Dealing with trauma may trigger personal trauma; must work in conjunction with other collaborative staff members; communicate with many sources including courts, Los Angeles County Law Enforcement Agencies, District Attorney Offices and Victims Advocate Representative, Department of Children and Family Services and other community agencies. Local automobile travel may be required. There is some responsibility to work in noisy environments where adults are free to talk loud and expressively. This position is exposed to multiple tasks and must work with many different departments and Directors (DIC/HWCP/HCOTP/BHS/CASC). While driving to trainings or performing other duties there may be exposure to weather conditions prevalent at the time, noise, moving vehicles, high crime rate areas, odors, fumes, pollen etc.

Physical Requirements 

Light physical effort which may include occasional light lifting (15lbs), and some reaching, bending, stooping, walking, squatting, listening, and typing. A great portion of the day requires sitting, standing, carrying equipment/charts/documents, walking, reading, writing, and communicating or a combination of the above.

Mental Requirements

The Mental Health Therapist should be able to perform effectively under any and all of the following: Unpredictable Situations, Crisis, Constant distractions, Interruptions, Uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedule. Be able to process information, think and conceptualize. Must be able to deal with possible transference and counter transference.

Special Service for Groups is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

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