Partial Hospital Program (PHP) Therapist

By joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact?

Join us - and work with purpose!

POSITION BENEFITS

• Team-Oriented, Multidisciplinary Approach
• Ongoing, High-Level Learning and Development Opportunities
• Culturally Diverse Environment
• Joint Commission Accredited Organization
• Comprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet)
• Retirement Savings Plan: 403(b) - With Employer Match Up To 3%
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)
• Wellness Programs
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement or Assistance For Continuing Education
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Recognition Program
• Opportunities For Career Advancement
• May Be Eligible For State or Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs For Work With Underserved Populations

SUMMARY

The PHP therapist is a salaried position with benefits that provides an array of therapeutic services in person for youth and families in our PHP. PHP treatment is primarily group focused, and the PHP therapist will be expected to learn DBT skills and other evidence-based practices to facilitate therapy groups. Treatment length for youth is typically 3 weeks, but can last longer based on medical necessity. The clinician will also be expected to provide initial assessments, risk assessment, safety planning, individual therapy, family therapy, care coordination (i.e. ongoing collaboration with outside professionals), and discharge planning for the youth on their caseload. The PHP therapist will be responsible for completing documentation that accurately depicts the clinical care and treatment services provided in a timely manner. 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes intake protocols, including full behavioral health assessment, risk assessment and safety planning, and general orientation of the youth and caregivers to the program.
• Facilitates a wide array of therapeutic interventions within group, individual, family therapy and conjoint modalities, conducting on a daily basis.
• Maintain a caseload of 4-5 clients, including daily check ins for safety, while balancing facilitation of groups.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation as per SDCC protocols and Joint Commission and San Diego County requirements.
• Assist trainee in completing their intakes/assessment paperwork and observing/mentoring during intakes.
• Maintain current licensure or registration with the California Board issuing the license and provide a written copy to HR. The valid license will be displayed in the office as per licensing regulations.
• Maintain communication with multidisciplinary and all other internal or external individuals involved in the youth's care regarding the treatment progress of assigned cases and discharges. This includes but is not limited to director/manager, PHP clinical team, psychiatry, insurance contacts, outside outpatient providers, and caregivers.
• Communicate with PHP team regularly to provide guidance on individualized interventions and how to assist youth on making progress toward their goals. Conducts discharge planning and communicates effective plans with team and families.
• Formulate, monitor, and revise treatment plan as clinically indicated. Address specific goals for the youth and caregivers based on assessments and input from the youth, family and team. Coordinate and ensure the implementation of the treatment plan.
• Participates in staff meetings as assigned.
• Possibility of staying after hours to triage crisis situations.
• Provide referrals as indicated.
• Responsible for fostering a staff and peer culture which results in a therapeutic milieu.
• Other duties as assigned by program and clinical manager.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups; Ability to produce clear, concise, and clinically appropriate records.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups.

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 accommodations 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 stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to run, walk, sit and drive a vehicle. The employee must be able to move and/or lift a student when clinically necessary, and must be able to follow a student that AWOLs in a walking or running pace. Applying SPA restraint techniques can involve lifting the student, holding the student down in a standing, sitting or ground level manner, as well separating clients who are acting in an unsafe manner to ensure the safety for the clients and staff. Due to the emotional instability of the clients the employee may be subjected to kicking, hitting, punching, biting, hair pulling, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, 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 the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The San Diego Center for Children is committed to:

• Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organization
• Ensuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices and services, and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respect
• Encourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serve

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a registration number issued by the State of California oversight board for that license: ASW/LCSW, AMFT/LMFT, APCC/LPCC, PhD or PsyD or provide proof of submission of a completed application within the BBS 90-day rule.
• Valid California Driver's License (CDL)
• Master's Degree from an Accredited University
• Must be willing to work in person for the PHP hours approximately 8:30pm-4:30pm Monday through Friday.
• Experience working with youth and families
• Must be able to demonstrate skill in writing clinical notes, assessments, and clinical formulation. Documentation and clinical formulation writing skills will be tested

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Current license issued by the State of California oversight board for that license: LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, PhD or PsyD
• Interest and training in diversity, inclusion, equity, and action and cultural adaptations to evidence-based treatments
• Experience in PHP, IOP, or higher level of care (e.g. inpatient, residential), including experience with safety assessments and safety planning
• Experience and/or training in case management/disposition planning
• Training/experience in working with adolescents and caregivers.
• Training in evidence-based practices including: Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and/or Family Engagement and Family Therapy.
• Experience mentoring or training clinical support staff/trainees.
• Experience with public speaking, group facilitation, etc.
• Experience or knowledge of neuro affirming mental health approaches
• Experience with electronic health records (SmartCare).