Lead Clinician - CARES

Except in the case of an undue hardship, La Familia provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities when the accommodations are necessary to enable the persons to perform the essential functions of the job. The Agency also provides reasonable accommodations when necessary based on religious needs. Individuals requiring workplace accommodations must discuss their needs with La Familia Human Resources. Individuals seeking accommodations for disabilities are typically required to provide medical documentation supporting the existence of a disability, the need for the accommodation, and what workplace modifications will enable the employee to perform the essential functions of the job.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Lead Clinician provides clinical leadership and direct mental health services to individuals participating in CARES Reentry and Respite programs, adult populations impacted by justice involvement, community violence, and behavioral health crises.

This role is responsible for delivering and guiding short-term, stabilization-focused mental health services to individuals transitioning from incarceration, hospitalization, or acute emotional distress. The Lead Clinician supports clients experiencing crises, conducts timely assessments, and collaborates closely with case managers, supervisors, and community partners to ensure coordinated, effective care.

The Lead Clinician plays a key role in crisis response, clinical consultation, and care coordination, helping to stabilize clients, reduce risk of re-hospitalization or re-incarceration, and promote successful reintegration into the community. The Lead Clinician will report to the program supervisor.

This role will uphold and champion the agency's mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture.


The schedule for this role is Wednesday-Sunday 8:00a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Clinical Services (Reentry & Respite Focus)

• Conduct rapid clinical assessments of clients presenting with mental health crises, reentry needs, or acute psychosocial stressors
• Provide short-term, stabilization-focused therapy and interventions, including crisis intervention, emotional regulation, and problem-solving support
• Respond to urgent situations by supporting de-escalation, safety planning, and stabilization in community and respite settings
• Work collaboratively with staff to create safe, calm environments that support client stabilization
• Co-develop individualized stabilization and reentry plans, including next steps, goals, and linkage to community resources
• Provide ongoing follow-up to ensure successful connections to services and continuity of care
• Support clients transitioning from incarceration or institutional settings in navigating behavioral health, housing, and social service systems
• Facilitate warm hand-offs and referrals to internal and external providers, including behavioral health, substance use, medical, and community-based services
• Deliver services in a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and harm reduction framework

Clinical Leadership & Team Support

• Serve as a clinical lead and consultant to case managers and program staff on complex cases, crisis situations, and care planning
• Support staff in applying motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based practices
• Assist in coordinating crisis responses across team members and programs
• Model effective engagement strategies for high-risk and hard-to-engage clients
• Provide guidance on risk assessment, documentation, and appropriate clinical interventions

Care Coordination & Reentry Support

• Collaborate closely with reentry staff, probation/parole (as applicable), and community partners to support client stability
• Assist clients in identifying barriers to reintegration and accessing critical resources (housing, employment, benefits, healthcare)
• Ensure coordination between respite services and longer-term treatment providers
• Promote continuity of care through follow-up, documentation, and communication across systems

Other

• Attend trainings and participate in events relevant to key responsibilities.
• Track and regularly report on key metrics for the responsible function areas.
• Leads and collaborates on projects supporting Agency objectives.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Leading the self:

• Demonstrates ethics and integrity
• Displays drive and purpose
• Manages self and adapts to change
• Exhibiting leadership stature
• Practice self-awareness and continuous learning

INCLUSION, RESPECT, AND COLLABORATION:

• Exhibit inspirational leadership by being highly responsive, leading a team to resolve immediate issues while strategically and inclusively addressing root causes.
• Develop staff by providing support to allow them to flourish in their roles, and promote a culture where everyone is valued and included, fostering a sense of belonging in an environment where employees can reach their full potential.
• Practices cultural humility and cultural responsiveness when engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, while practicing appropriate boundaries.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Registration as a clinician with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (Registered Psychologist, Psychologist) or Board of Behavioral Sciences (AMFT/LMFT, ASW/LCSW, APC/LPCC). Licensed highly preferred (Psychologist, LMFT, LCSW, LPCC).
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Experience responding to mental health crises and with the public behavioral health systems.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of modern clinical psychology, including abnormal psychology, personality theory, and diagnostic interviewing. Psychotherapy includes brief therapy and behavior change, casework, systems theory, family therapy, community psychology, and community mental health.
• Experience in non-profit and community-based organizations preferred.
• Demonstrates and models excellent "customer service" orientation and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Exercises extreme discretion with the ability to hold, balance, and transmit public and confidential information needed by various parties.
• Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace products.
• Valid CA Driver's license required.
  • Auto insurance: If your vehicle is used for business-related purposes, it is recommended that you inform your auto insurance carrier.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates cultural awareness and provides respectful, client-centered care.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources for client referrals
• Attend work regularly, adhering to policies on absences and tardiness.
• Understands and applies legal requirements, including confidentiality and risk management.

Timekeeping & Attendance Responsibilities

• Accurately record work hours each day by clocking in/out at scheduled start, break, lunch, and end times.
• Take all required meal and rest breaks in compliance with state, federal, and agency policies.
• Review and submit timesheets by established deadlines to ensure timely payroll processing.
• Notify supervisor promptly of any scheduling conflicts, absences, tardiness, or timekeeping issues.
• Maintain consistent and reliable attendance to support team and program operations.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures related to overtime, schedule changes, and paid/unpaid leave.
• Correct and/or report any timekeeping discrepancies immediately to the supervisor for resolution.

TEAM COMMITMENT:

• Viewed by others as an effective team member who is flexible, cooperative, and willing to assist others, and acts as a resource to team members and clients, where appropriate.
• Handles difficult or conflict situations constructively and seeks appropriate assistance.
• Accepts accountability and constructive feedback.
• Attends all mandatory meetings and staff meetings as required, and actively participates in other departmental professional development, including providing training and consultation.
• Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, supervisors, managers in other departments, senior management, executive staff, and community stakeholders.
• Handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from other departments and individuals in a tactful and effective manner to maintain goodwill within the agency.

WORKING CONDITIONS and JOB SETTING:

• Ability to occasionally or frequently stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms above the shoulders
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to keyboard, fingers, handle, and feel, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, crawl, reach, and stretch.
• The employee is occasionally required to move around the office
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
• May require travel, dependent on agency needs
• Can work under deadlines
• Performing general physical activities such as picking up, moving, and using objects, tools, or controls
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Ability to stand and move from one location to another daily.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to visually focus on near and far items, and to be able to switch between them.
• Ability to reliably report to work on time and perform the position's required tasks as scheduled
• Ability to grasp and carry items
• Ability to hear and effectively communicate with co-workers, clients, and the public
• Ability to identify potential issues within the workplace, determine an appropriate means of avoiding and/or resolving the issues, work with others to address the issues, and carry out organized strategies for resolving and preventing similar issues in the future
• Ability to process information and data for use within the organization

BENEFITS:

• Excellent Health benefits package for you and your family, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits with 95% employee and 80% dependent employer premium contributions, and employer-paid life insurance.
• Vacation, 15 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days upon accrual
• Employee Assistance Plan to support you and your family's well-being and finances
• Pet Plan Benefit:
  • PetPlus Product and Prescription Discounts, Pet Assure Veterinary Discounts, AskVet 24/7 Pet Telehealth, and ThePetTag Lost Pet Recovery Service
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Work-life wellbeing & excellent work hours
  • La Familia understands the importance of work-life balance! Our therapists enjoy flexible scheduling options, including hybrid work arrangements, to ensure high-quality client care while maintaining their well-being.
• License and Certification renewals reimbursed.
• Supportive/Collaborative work environment
• Opportunities for Growth and Professional Development
  • We believe in growing together. As a team member, you'll have access to structured mentorship and ongoing training. Whether you're pursuing licensure or looking to specialize in clinical psychology, we support your growth every step of the way.