Mental Health Clinician

About the Job

SUMMARY:

The Mental Health Clinician (MHC) aims to reduce the distress and improve the mental health of the homeless and underserved populations presenting with complex medical and psycho-social problems. The MHC may be an ACSW, LCSW, AMFT, LMFT, or Psychological Associate. The MHC works a hybrid model, remotely and on-site per the needs of clients. Works alongside other professionals in multidisciplinary teams in helping to resolve complex patient issues. Demonstrate Christ-like behavior and attitude in all job duties and responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include:

• Assess, diagnose, and treat patient's symptoms and dysfunctional behaviors per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual via in-person visits and telehealth (i.e., video & phone sessions).
• Provide individual and group psychotherapies to clients with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, hypertension, medication non-adherence, addiction, social and interpersonal problems, personality disorders and challenging behaviors.
• Develop social assessments and formulate individualized treatment plans based on evaluation of the patient's past, present, and future medical and socioeconomic functioning.
• Apply behavioral interventions such as motivational interviewing that increase positive outcomes and optimize patient well-being.
• Provide wellness checks (i.e., SBIRTs - Screening, Brief Intervention, & Referral to Treatment) to patients to assess their well-being and to connect them to mental health services (during "down" times and at other times).
• Triage patients on the mental health waitlist by calling them for SBIRTs to assess mental health conditions and needs.
• Work as a part of a multidisciplinary team alongside medical providers, nurses, psychologists, front office staff, and case managers.
• Provide consultation services to multidisciplinary team members by evaluating the biopsychosocial implications of the patient's illness when the team is assessing and planning medical treatment.
• Refer patients to institutions, support services, psychiatry, and other specialists as needed.
• Provide functional assessments in reports to the Department of Public Social Services, Department of Child and Family Services, Social Security Administration, and the Judiciary as needed.
• Provide some case management or referrals to assist homeless patients with accessing vital resources such as housing, substance abuse treatment, specialty mental health care, and public benefits as needed.
• Document all assessments, diagnoses, care plans, interventions, referrals, telephone encounters, SBIRTs, and therapy visits in our electronic medical records system.
• Network with community organizations for referral, partnership, and collaboration.
• Attend community meetings and events (such as street fairs and outreach events) as needed.
• Participate in weekly individual and group supervision per BBS or BOP guidelines (i.e., as a supervisee if unlicensed; as a clinical supervisor if licensed as needed).
• Develop and utilize resources of public and private agencies and community organizations in the service areas of LACHC as needed.
• Other duties may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• CPR Certification required.
• Bi-lingual Spanish preferred.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in social work or marriage & family therapy. For psychologists, doctoral degree in clinical psychology. BBS registration in California as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW),
• Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT), or Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT).
• For psychologists, BOP registration in California as a Psychological Associate. Minimum two year of providing mental health services (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, case management, and individual and group therapies) to homeless, mentally ill, substance addicted adult populations.
• Prior experience working at a community mental health or primary care, medical setting preferred. CPR certification required.
• Proficiency in computer use required. Proficiency in written and spoken English required. Bilingual/bi-literal Spanish preferred.

COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE:

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Excel preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Familiarity with medical terms and operations of clinics useful.
• Proficiency in written and verbal English required, Bi-lingual/ Bi-literal Spanish preferred.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as totals, proportions and percentages.

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to carriers of contagious diseases. The employee may have to deal with irate and irrational clients who may or may not be under the influence of mind-altering substances such as cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, etc.

The employee will have access to patient charts which contain confidential information about medical conditions and other personal matters. The employee must display a commitment to maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.

WORK STATUS:

Full-time, Regular, Exempt position with Medical, Dental, Vision and 403B Retirement Plan with employer match. Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the Company

Los Angeles Christian Health Centers opened in 1995 with a handful of staff but a big vision to render hope and healing through healthcare to the thousands of homeless and low-income residents living in Los Angeles County. Today, 120 staff members serve the County's most vulnerable populations from our two full-time health centers in Skid Row and Boyle Heights. We also provide comprehensive medical care at our 10 part-time satellite clinics hosted by our community partners throughout Downtown Los Angeles and Watts.