Mental Health Specialist

POSITION: Mental Health Specialist - PSH

DIVISION: Programs - PSH

LOCATION: Scattered Sites

WHY JOIN US:

You believe that every person deserves a place to call home. You see that homelessness is a systemic issue and want to be a part of the solution. You are ready to utilize your talent, experience, and creativity towards purpose-driven work. You want to work alongside industry leaders to learn, implement, and pioneer best practices.

LA Family Housing is a leading non-profit agency in Homeless Services and Real Estate Development. With 40 years of experience and 13,000+ people’s lives changed each year, we know what it takes to end homelessness. We take tremendous pride in the emergence of our staff as national leaders in innovation, best practices, and policy within housing production and homeless services. Join the fight to end homelessness and make a difference in people’s lives at LA Family Housing

THE POSITION:

The Mental Health Specialist (MHS) plays a vital role in providing direct clinical intervention to participants (families and individual adults) in Permanent Supportive Housing-Project Based Sites. Working as part of a site-based multidisciplinary ICMS team, the MHS collaborates closely with the team to identify participants requiring mental health services through case conferencing, assessments, and referrals. Serving as the primary point of contact for mental health-related services and linkage coordination with partner agencies, the MHS connects participants to community-based and mental health care, offers crisis prevention and intervention, and provides support using evidence-based clinical modalities.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

CLINICAL CASE MANAGEMENT & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

• Conducts mental health, substance use, and safety/risk assessments on identified participants.
• Creates relationships with mental health service providers, Department of Mental Health, VA, and hospital social work teams. Refers participants for services and maintains a resource listing of mental health services for LA Family Housing program participants.
• Engages in discharge and transition of care planning and leads care coordination activities.
• Utilizes Harm Reduction, Housing First, Low Barrier, and Trauma-Informed Care philosophies when working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Works collaboratively with medical providers to ensure people experiencing homelessness are triaged to needed medical care.
• Completes risk assessments and safety plans and liaises with the Psychiatric Mobile Response Team (PMRT) if danger to self/others resulting from a mental health disorder or grave disability is suspected.

SUPPORT & COORDINATION

• Coordinates services with other non-clinical staff, including co-facilitating meetings, organizing participant mental health events, and providing guidance, direction, and clinical support through case consultations.
• Provides training for social services staff (in coordination with Supervisor).
• Provides crisis intervention and conflict management techniques.
• Promotes health and wellness through medication management education.
• Provides task supervision to MSW interns and utilizes the interns in providing support to participants, serving as a Preceptor or Field Instructor to MSW or MFT interns as needed.
• Maintains thorough and accurate records in both written form and through HMIS/CHAMP.

OTHER

• Attends various regular staff, agency, and community meetings as designated by the supervisor.
• Drives a personal vehicle in and around Los Angeles County and drives agency vehicles periodically to transport clients.

WHAT YOU’RE SKILLED AT:

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated knowledge of issues facing program participants, including health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, child welfare, trauma, poverty, criminal justice, and resources for undocumented persons.
• Familiarity with barriers faced by people experiencing homelessness, such as chronic health conditions, substance abuse, mental health challenges, domestic violence, and undocumented status.
• Clinical experience working with participants with multiple diagnoses, including mental illness, substance abuse, and/or physical illness.
• Proficiency in DSM-5 (obtained through schoolwork or work experience).
• Training/experience in crisis intervention and certifications in current evidenced-based practices preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills; ability to advocate on behalf of LAFH participants.
• Bilingual: Spanish/English desired

OTHER:

• Willingness to work on-call, during after-hours, or on weekends when requested
• Adaptability and ability to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing environment
• Availability to work on-call, after hours, or weekends
• Ability to be flexible and work in an environment subject to ongoing change
• Ability to be comfortable in a pet-friendly environment
• Able to maintain and execute confidential information according to HIPAA standards
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification
• Ability to pass post offer Tuberculosis (TB) clearances
• Travel is a regular duty for this position and is required 30% of the time
• Use of a personal vehicle to travel between worksites and other locations may be required
• Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and auto insurance in good standing
• Ability to work a 9/80 work schedule

WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED:

• A master's degree in Social Work (MSW), Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) or eligible Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) program from an accredited university is required.
• Must obtain an ASW, MFT or LPCC practice number from the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) within six months of hire or already possess it.
• Licensing hours will be offered once BBS registration and ASW/MFT/LPCC practice number have been confirmed.

Alternatively,

• Candidates in their final semester of an MSW/MFT program or eligible Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) program with proof of expected graduation date are also eligible. In this case, the ASW, MFT or LPCC practice number from BBS must be obtained within six months of graduation.
• Licensing hours will be offered once BBS registration and ASW/MFT/LPCC practice number have been confirmed.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, 529 Education Savings Plan, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Legal Access Plan, Employee Appreciation Program, Company Sponsored Employee Events, Staff Development, 9/80 Alternative Work Schedule, Paid Sick, Vacation and 13 Observed Holidays, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Eligibility and more

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Potential physical demands include but are not limited to: walking, climbing stairs, handling, finger/grasp/feel objects and equipment, reaching, communicating, being mobile, repetitive motions, visual activity, driving, and entering buildings. Comfortable working in a pet-friendly environment required. If an accommodation is needed, please inform the Human Resources Department.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

LAFH is committed and proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

FAIR CHANCE ACT

LA Family Housing will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if LA Family Housing is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.

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