Associate Clinician

MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES

Our mission is to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare and supportive services to our community. Our vision is “Improving the Health and Well-Being of Our Community.” Our core values are Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence. Employees are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission, policies, goals, and philosophy of Harbor Community Health Centers.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of Behavioral Health, the Associate Clinician (Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist [AMFT], Associate Clinical Social Worker [ASW], or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor [APCC]) works as part of a multidisciplinary care team to provide biopsychosocial assessments, develop treatment plans, coordinate care, and provide evidence-based psychotherapy services to adult and pediatric patients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Performs clinical assessments and treatment planning using a standardized biopsychosocial format and develops observable, specific, and measurable treatment goals.
• Provides individual psychotherapy to adult and pediatric patients in a strengths-based, culturally sensitive, linguistically appropriate, and compassionate manner.
• Facilitates group therapy sessions as assigned.
• Assesses patients’ psychosocial status as it relates to substance use and mental health and communicates with appropriate members of the care team regarding patient progress, needs, concerns, and actual or potential clinical issues.
• Establishes therapeutic rapport with patients and demonstrates concern for their well-being.
• Follows up and serves as a liaison to support continuity and quality of patient services.
• Documents and locks progress notes in the electronic health record within established HarborCHC documentation timeframes.
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings to develop treatment plans and coordinate care.
• Partners with case managers and other care team members to refer patients to specialty and community services as appropriate.
• Actively participates in HarborCHC quality management and improvement activities.
• Maintains current and active registration in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) throughout employment.
• Assists and collaborates with other departments as necessary.
• Participates in clinical supervision as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and HarborCHC policy and maintains required supervision records and documentation.
• Develops proficiency in billing procedures.
• Meets established departmental chart-review standards and demonstrates timely application of feedback and corrective guidance.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support HarborCHC’s Mission and Values.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required education, experience, and/or training:

• Completion of a qualifying master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Counseling, or another field that meets California BBS requirements for the applicable associate registration.
• Current registration is in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW), Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC).
• Prior experience providing behavioral health services to adults, children, and/or families in a community health, medical, or integrated care setting preferred .
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, educational, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize cases, conduct clinical assessments, develop treatment plans, establish measurable treatment goals, and complete appropriate clinical documentation.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage assigned responsibilities and patient caseloads effectively.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to exercise appropriate clinical judgment within the scope of associate registration and supervision requirements.
• Knowledge of HIPAA privacy and security requirements and applicable professional standards governing patient and organizational records.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary care team .
• Knowledge of community behavioral health, mental health, and social service resources.
• Ability to coordinate referrals for patients requiring long-term therapy, specialty behavioral health services, or a higher level of care , as appropriate.
• Proficiency with computers and standard office technology.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Experience in using an Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system preferred .
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

EXPECTATIONS

• Adheres to all HarborCHC policies, procedures, and applicable professional standards.
• Demonstrates HarborCHC’s core values of Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence in the performance of all duties.
• Maintains a strong commitment to HarborCHC’s mission, goals, and philosophy.
• Maintains professional, respectful, and collaborative working relationships with patients, colleagues, and other work-related contacts.
• Communicates regularly and appropriately with their immediate supervisor regarding departmental, clinical, and organizational matters.
• Reports to work consistently and punctually and is prepared to perform the duties of the position.
• Meets established productivity, documentation, quality, and performance standards and performs duties as workload requires.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient, employee, and organizational information in accordance with HarborCHC policies and applicable privacy requirements.
• Demonstrates accountability, sound judgment, and professionalism in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
• Communicates professionally and courteously and responds to work-related communications within established departmental expectations.

LICENSURE/REGISTRATION & SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS

Must maintain current and active registration in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an ASW, AMFT, or APCC throughout employment. The employee must participate in required clinical supervision, comply with applicable BBS laws and regulations and HarborCHC policy, maintain required supervision documentation, and promptly notify HarborCHC of any change in registration status or ability to practice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or operate objects, tools, or equipment; reach with hands and arms; and communicate effectively. The employee may be required to frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position may include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

SCHEDULE / WORK REQUIREMENTS

HarborCHC clinic operations may include evening and Saturday hours . The employee's work schedule may vary based on operational, departmental, and patient-care needs.

One thing I would verify with the BH Director is the 25-pound lifting requirement . For an Associate Clinician, if lifting 25 pounds isn't part of performing the essential functions, I would not include it simply because it appears in Harbor's older template. Physical requirements should reflect what this job requires.

HOURS OF OPERATIONS

HarborCHC is open Monday-Thursday: 7:00am-7:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 8:00am-5:00pm

HR PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must successfully complete all applicable post-offer, pre-employment background screening, and education verification requirements.
• Must satisfy all other applicable pre-employment and onboarding requirements established by HarborCHC.
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned based on operational and organizational needs.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

HarborCHC is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment in employment on the basis of race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, compensation, training, leaves of absence, discipline, termination, layoff, and recall. HarborCHC also prohibits discrimination based on an individual's association with a person who has, or is perceived to have, a protected characteristic.

DISCLAIMER

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or requirements. HarborCHC reserves the right to assign additional duties and responsibilities or modify job duties based on organizational and operational needs.

Employment with HarborCHC is at will. This means that either the employee or HarborCHC may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job description alters or creates an exception to the at-will employment relationship.

HarborCHC reserves the right to modify job duties, responsibilities, work schedules, compensation, work location, reporting relationships, or other terms and conditions of employment, consistent with applicable law and HarborCHC policies.