LMFT

Job Title: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Reports To: Behavioral Health Director
Department: Behavioral Health
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Operation Samahan Mission

Building Healthier and Happier Communities Together

Opsam Health is a federally qualified community health center serving individuals and families throughout San Diego County. The organization provides accessible, comprehensive healthcare services with a focus on underserved, uninsured, and underinsured communities.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Director, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist provides behavioral health services to patients as part of an integrated healthcare team.

The LMFT provides individual, family, and group psychotherapy, behavioral health assessments, crisis intervention, treatment planning, care coordination, and patient education. The position works collaboratively with medical providers, behavioral health staff, case management, and other members of the care team to address patients' behavioral, emotional, and psychosocial needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Services

• Provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy using evidence-based and clinically appropriate interventions.
• Conduct behavioral health screenings, clinical interviews, psychosocial assessments, and other appropriate assessments.
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on patient needs, goals, diagnosis, and clinical presentation.
• Review and update treatment plans based on patient progress and clinical need.
• Provide crisis assessment, intervention, safety planning, and appropriate referrals when clinically indicated.
• Assess patients for risk of harm to self or others and follow established clinical and organizational protocols.
• Provide counseling and behavioral health education to patients and families.
• Identify psychosocial barriers affecting a patient's health and ability to participate in treatment.
• Provide referrals and connect patients with appropriate behavioral health, social service, and community resources.
• Provide services within the LMFT scope of practice and in accordance with professional standards.

Documentation and Treatment Planning

• Complete accurate and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic health record.
• Document assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, risk assessments, referrals, and other required clinical information.
• Maintain documentation consistent with organizational policies, payer requirements, and applicable professional standards.
• Communicate treatment recommendations and relevant behavioral health information to members of the patient's care team as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and complete patient records.

Integrated Care and Care Coordination

• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health providers, case managers, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Participate in coordinated treatment planning for patients with behavioral health and medical needs.
• Communicate with appropriate members of the care team regarding patient progress, barriers to care, and treatment recommendations.
• Assist patients with accessing community programs and resources that support their behavioral health and overall well-being.
• Coordinate referrals to higher levels of behavioral health or psychiatric care when clinically appropriate.
• Participate in case consultations and multidisciplinary care discussions as needed.

Crisis Intervention and Patient Safety

• Respond appropriately to patients experiencing behavioral health crises.
• Conduct appropriate risk assessments and develop safety plans when indicated.
• Follow organizational procedures related to emergency behavioral health situations.
• Coordinate with the Behavioral Health Director, medical providers, emergency services, or other appropriate resources when a patient requires a higher level of care.
• Follow applicable mandated reporting requirements.

Quality Management

• Participate in quality improvement activities related to behavioral health services and organizational performance goals.
• Support efforts to improve patient access, continuity of care, clinical outcomes, and patient experience.
• Participate in chart reviews, clinical meetings, case conferences, and other quality activities as assigned.
• Maintain professional knowledge and remain current with developments and evidence-based practices within the behavioral health field.

Patient and Community Relations

• Maintain professional and respectful relationships with patients, families, staff, community partners, and members of the public.
• Provide services in a culturally responsive manner that recognizes the diverse backgrounds and needs of the communities served.
• Work collaboratively as part of the Behavioral Health and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Participate in community outreach, patient education, or organizational events as assigned.

HIPAA, Privacy, and Compliance

• Maintain confidentiality of patient, employee, and organizational information.
• Access confidential information only as necessary to perform assigned job responsibilities.
• Comply with HIPAA, organizational privacy practices, corporate compliance requirements, and applicable behavioral health regulations.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with patients and families.
• Report suspected unethical, fraudulent, unlawful, or unsafe activity according to organizational policy.
• Provide behavioral health services consistent with applicable professional standards and scope of practice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, or a related field from an accredited educational institution.
• Previous experience providing psychotherapy and behavioral health services preferred.
• Experience working in a community health center, FQHC, integrated healthcare environment, or with underserved populations preferred.
• Experience working with patients from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Tagalog, or another language commonly spoken by the patient population preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of behavioral health assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and psychotherapy.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and appropriate referral procedures.
• Ability to establish therapeutic relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong clinical documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple patient needs and priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients of different ages, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and levels of health literacy.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and exercise sound clinical judgment.
• Basic computer skills and ability to document services using an electronic health record.

ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS, LICENSURE, AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Current and unrestricted California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• Maintain licensure and continuing education requirements applicable to the profession.
• Current CPR certification as required by the organization.
• Complete required annual organizational, compliance, HIPAA, safety, and clinical trainings.
• Reliable transportation may be required for travel between Opsam Health locations based on operational needs.