Therapist, LMFT

*Location of position is determined upon interview*

Experience with children ages 5-12 is highly desired

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Chief Behavioral Health Officer, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy is responsible for performing psychological assessments and providing brief evidenced-based treatment using the primary care behavioral health model to adults, older adults, children and their families in a primary care setting. This licensed clinician works closely with primary care providers to develop and implement sound treatment plans. Responds to and provides crisis intervention services when needed; Ensures behavioral health services are delivered in a culturally appropriate fashion and is consistent with State of California laws and regulations, professional standards of care, agency guidelines, and professional ethical guidelines.

Essential Functions of the Job

• Evaluates/triage and provides evidenced-based, brief psychological/behavioral health interventions to patients with physical health, mental health and/or substance abusediagnoses.
• Provides consultant services to clinical staff/ primary care providers based on Primary Care Behavioral Health Consultation model including but not limited to timely feedback regarding the client’s care, treatment recommendations and progress via documentation in the client’s record and verbal feedback.
• Performs brief assessments of patient needs and, with patient and primary care clinician, develops a negotiated care plan.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in in the electronic medical records of all patients seen, as appropriate, and produces reports of evaluation and/or treatment, as required.
• Evaluates and/or revises care plan as indicated with appropriate documentation in progress notes and communicates this to relevant multi-disciplinary team members.
• Performs crisis interventions as needed including but not limited to conducting suicide assessments and make recommendations to medical providers and patients; determine if crisis response services are appropriate for patient safety.
• Works in coordination with the Chief Behavioral Health Officer/ Director of Behavioral Health to provide information to healthcare providers about mental illness in the medical setting.
• Assist in the implementation and administration of ESBIRT (Enhanced Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) program model for substance abuse prevention and/or treatment.
• Participate in meetings as required including but not limited to weekly multi-Disciplinary/Case Conference/Pod Care team meetings with medical, clinical and intern staff; weekly case reviews; quarterly chart reviews. Participate on committees as directed.
• Maintains productivity expectations in accordance with clinic/program guidelines.
• Perform telephone, mobile crisis and clinic-based triage, assessment and stabilization working in a facility that provides crisis stabilization.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Complies with established departmental and health center wide policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Ability to organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate in working with underserved communities.
• Establishes and maintains contact with community resources to ensure continuity of care (e.g., case managers, rehabilitation and detoxification centers, psychiatric units).
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients, family members, other professional staff and the public.
• Requests assistance and guidance from the Supervisor and professional staff when necessary to address client issues and problems.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops.
• Provides outpatient services on school campuses and satellite primary care clinics as requested by Chief Behavioral Health Officer/BHG Director.
• Assist in providing supervision of interns and/or unlicensed staff under specification of license held as requested.
• Work closely with all providers to help establish full integration of services and a team based to care.
• Conduct brief presentations, trainings and/or lectures to primary care team members, medical residents and/or community regarding behavioral health issues and behavioral health services as requested.
• Assist with the development of a train-the trainer SBIRT model for primary care team.
• Ensures, through continuous monitoring, adequate progress toward contract goals and objectives to secure contract compliance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested by Supervisor.

Job Requirements

Experience Required

• Sensitivity to multi-cultural concerns and the psychotherapeutic process required.
• 2 years of experience in a community health/mental health setting preferred.
• Experience in Behavioral Medicine/Health Psychology Preferred.

Education Required

• Successful completion of terminal graduate training program in a psychotherapy-related field: Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from an accredited school or its equivalent from an accredited school.
• Experience in Behavioral Medicine/Health Psychology helpful.

Licenses Required

• LMFT issued by the state of California required.

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Technical Knowledge and Skills Required to Perform the Job

• Knowledge of rehabilitation and recovery treatment modalities. Integrated Treatment and Care for individuals with co-occurring disorders.
• Demonstrate ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate in working with minority communities.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity. Knowledge of behavioral medicine, health psychology, substance abuse interventions including IMPACT and/or SBIRT model strongly recommended.
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with a variety of people with a variety of co-occurring disorders.
• Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, family members, other professional staff and the public.

Equipment Used

• Computer literacy required and proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• General office environment.
• Frequent sitting, occasional standing, walking, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 10 lbs.
• May drive around San Diego County for various meetings and trainings.

Universal Requirements

Pre-employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre-employment PPDs. Compliance with all mandated vaccinations and all boosters is a term and condition of employment.