Assistant Program Manager For DMH Full-Service Partnership Mental Health Services

Job Description

Job Description

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.

MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County. The agency supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services. MHALA achieves impact in the areas of mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth.

MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues.

MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members. Communication, collaboration, transparency and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture. Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care and can enjoy a 35-hour workweek.

MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization. The agency promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth. We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program, and generous paid time off.

Assistant Program Manager

Full-Time, 35 hours per week

• Non-licensed: $36.00 - $37.00 per hour
• ASW/APCC/AMFT: $38.00 - $39.00 per hour
• LCSW/LPCC/LMFT: $43.00 - $44.00 per hour

(The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.)

Summary: Under the general supervision of the program manager, provides direct supervision and takes leadership responsibilities for inter- disciplinary team members during program or service activities and provides secondary on-call services based on the psychosocial rehabilitation model of treatment and services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agency’s operations. MHALA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider. The agency will consider individuals with a criminal history in accordance with both the Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCO) and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA).

• Provide direct management to Full Service Partnership (FSP) program teams, ensuring that excellent care and services are provided to members/clients and ensuring compliance with Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and MHALA standards.
• Coordinate and lead staff meetings, case conference meetings, and other internal meetings. 
• Provide ongoing direction, support, training and team building to staff.
• Attend external meetings as needed by MHALA and required funding sources. 
• Ensure program team are meeting the program’s budget and billing goals in a manner that aligns with program’s funding streams and targeted fiscal goals. Ensure timely and accurate data reporting.  Meets individual and team productivity billing goals.
• Ensure that services are appropriate, integrated and delivered with respect for member needs and choices.
• Oversee, monitor and analyze the program’s performance goals as outlined in the DMH Program Service Exhibit for the FSP-ICM.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with community resources that will benefit member/client needs. 
• Partner with other Program Managers/Leadership to support agency-wide, strategic program initiatives; work to establish excellent collaborative relationships with other agency departments.
• Foster transparent, open and direct communication, and ensure input from team members; support the communication of strategic direction of agency and programs to department staff, addressing questions and concerns that staff may have.
• Partnering with Program Manager on all employee related matters, including employee relations.
• Ensure ongoing quality assurance checks of member files; ensure all notes and data collection are complete, timely, and accurate.
• Partner with the Program Manager to ensure staff training and competencies are completed.
• Other duties as assigned
• In collaboration with and under the direction of the Program Manager, responsible for oversight of day-to-day program operations; day-to-day support and guidance to team overseeing the delivery of services 
• Delegate daily tasks and provide direct supervision to team staff ensuring high quality Recovery-oriented services are being provided to members participating in the program
• Report to and problem solve with Program Manager any trends and/or program needs to encourage overall quality of services and staff development
• Responsible for overseeing enrollments and exits of members from services, ensuring services are completed in a manner consistent with members’ goals and Agency Recovery values, as well as in compliance with requirements of funders and audits 
• Assist Program Manager as assigned with tracking program outcomes and maintaining program budget
• In collaboration with and under the direction of the Program Manager, recruit, hire, supervise, train, direct, evaluate, reward, discipline and terminate assigned staff in accordance with organizational policy and applicable laws and regulations
• Review and audit recovery plans and progress notes
• Provide timely information, feedback, and solution-focused resolutions to Program Manager with regard to emergent staff, team or participant issues
• In collaboration with Program Manager, monitor program budget and use knowledge of budget to guide service decisions made by team
• Monitor completion of recovery plans with each member that identifies his/her personal needs and goals. 
• Mediate and advocate on behalf of the member to help him/her obtain and keep housing, health care benefits, entitlements, etc.
• Oversee program documentation standards of staff. Provide coaching to correct errors and recommend/provide technical assistance when needed
• Represent MHALA and participate as an Assistant Program Manager in meetings, community partners and team. Disseminate relevant information to the team in a timely manner. 
• In collaboration with and as assigned by Program Manager, prepare and submit data quality/outcomes reports
• Work with landlords and property management companies and generate housing opportunities through advocacy, information and education. Stay current with technical and administrative changes in various housing programs and their requirements
• Network with other mainstream service agencies to share ideas and resources, develop effective programs, solve common problems and maintain a professional network of referral resources for education, employment, psychiatric and other support services.
• Provide leadership and guidance when Program Manager is not available

Position Requirements:  

• Minimum 2-year experience providing psychosocial rehabilitative services to a disabled population required
• Preferably a bachelor’s degree in a human service or related field or certification in a mental health specialty. 
• Experience in a supervisory/leadership role preferred
• Willingness to become LPS designated to write 5150 holds for members when needed (if LVN, RN, or licensed clinician).
• Demonstrated ability to provide supervision and leadership to diverse staff who possess a wide range of skills, abilities and professional competencies
• Flexible work schedule to include some nights, weekends and holidays. 
• Must have good basic English writing skills, good basic computer skills and be highly organized
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to track and interpret complex data sets for the program services and budget
• Must be detail oriented, and able to prioritize and juggle multiple projects without losing productivity.
• Valid CPR certificate preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of driving history with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA liability insurance are conditions of employment
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of employment
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment
• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period