MHS Therapist

Job SummaryUnder the supervision of the MHS Clinical Supervisor, the MHS Therapist is responsible for a caseload of children and/or adolescents and their families. The MHS Therapist provides home-based psychotherapy to individuals and families utilizing select Evidence based Practices when required. They also provide crisis intervention, case management and Community Outreach Services (COS). The MHS Therapist is responsible for completing all required paperwork in accordance with agency and County regulations.Essential FunctionsConsistently serve a caseload of children and/or adolescents with individual and family/collateral psychotherapy in home, school, juvenile hall, and community settings, with crisis intervention as needed.Complete and submit all documentation and Case Record Reviews in accordance with agency and DMH regulations (including but not limited to assessments, treatment plans and progress notes).Consistently meet agency billing productivity requirement.Meet weekly with individual supervisor (and attend group supervision if required), and consult as necessary when clinically indicated (e.g., potential Suspected Child Abuse Reports, suicidal clients, other crisis situations).Learn and implement Evidence-Based Practices and maintain fidelity to the models.Under licensed supervision, responsible for a caseload of children and/or adolescents and their families.Conduct initial and annual clinical assessments of clients including:Obtaining client historyCompleting client mental status examProvide opening diagnosisProvide group therapy as necessaryProvide case management, coordination of services, crisis intervention, referrals and outreach services when neededParticipate as a member of multidisciplinary treatment teamsProvide critical clinical input related to client diagnosis, behavioral functioningRecommend treatment planningParticipate in case conferences as neededEstablish and maintain effective working relationships with intra-agency staff, County staff, school personnel, referring agencies, physicians and communityConsult with and serve as a liaison with community agencies, school personnel, parents and other mental health programs and services in order to evaluate community health needs and servicesCoordinate emergency psychiatric support servicesServe as an advocate for clientsSensitive and responsive to the cultural differences among the agency's client populationActively participate in quality improvement projectsThe MHS Therapist will take on special projects or additional duties as assigned by the MHS Clinical Supervisor or Director of Mental Health Services.Competency RequirementsAbility to speak, read, write, and understand EnglishAbility to work effectively as a member of treatment teamsAbility to accurately assess and diagnose clients' mental statusMust demonstrate ability to utilize the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical ManualAbility to promptly and thoroughly analyze and respond to a crisis situationAbility to accurately and completely complete required paperwork in accordance with agency and County regulationsKnowledgeable of principles and practices of community mental health treatment, including interviewing, assessment, individual, family and group counselingKnowledge of general psychiatric emergency intervention protocols, diagnosis and brief and long term therapy methodsMust demonstrate knowledge of principles of child, adolescent, and adult psychologyMust demonstrate sound judgment and decision making skillsKnowledgeable of the laws and regulations related to client's rights, best practices, voluntary or involuntary inpatient hospitalizationKnowledge of community resources and agencies providing support services for the mentally ill or disabled.Must have excellent oral and written communication skillsMust have excellent time management skillsBilingual (Spanish) preferredEducation and ExperienceMaster's degree in Social Work, Psychology or Marriage and Family TherapyPost graduate clinical experience preferredPrevious experience providing in home services preferredCertifications/LicensesLicensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LCSW, LMFT or LPCC) by the Board of Behavioral Sciences preferredORRegistered with BBS as an Associate Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist or Associate Professional Clinical CounselorCertification or training in select Evidence-based Practices preferredValid CA Driver's licenseValid automobile insuranceAdditional RequirementsTuberculosis clearanceDepartment of Justice/Fingerprint clearanceSatisfactory completion of health screeningProof of legal eligibility to work in the United StatesSatisfactory driving recordPhysical Demands