Clinical Therapist Job Description

Job Title: Clinician/Therapist
Department: Mental Health
Reports To: Mental Health Head of Service (HOS)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Prepared Date: March 29, 2020
Approved By: Charles S. Ohaeri
Approved Date: December 1, 2020

The Clinician provides mental health support services to members served and their families within the program. The Clinician also assists in the coordination of all mental health support services provided by the Team. This includes coordinating and collaborating with team members and outside agencies such as the Probation Department and County Behavioral Health Services.

ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The essential accountabilities reflect the job’s main responsibilities and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties performed. Its content does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to individuals in this job classification.

Mental Health Therapist

• Conducts individual therapy with each resident assigned at least one time per week and as necessary.
• Inputs all therapy/service notes into the online system within 72 hours of service date.
• Formulates Needs and Service Plans (NSP), quarterly evaluations and prepares alltreatment reports for each resident on their caseload and submits to the HOS.
• Completes the Initial Intake/NSP for all residents entering the facility within 7 days of arrivaland submitting to the HOS.
• Complete all resident Exit reports within 48 hours of their exit date and submit to the HOS.
• When possible, will carry a caseload of six, leaving time to do “check-ins” for any youth whoreceive therapeutic services from outside providers (e.g. Department of Behavioral Health).
• Meets with HOS, House Managers, Administrators, staff, and residents weekly to ensurethat the Mental Health Team is meeting the needs of the residents, staff, and management of each STRTP facility (MH Team meeting).
• Facilitates and implements an overall treatment plan and NSP for each resident on his/hercaseload with assistance from the treatment team.
• Conducts group and/or family therapy when required.
• Attends Supervision by a Licensed Mental Health Provider weekly, i.e., LMFT, LCSW, etc.
• Meets with Social Worker, Probation Officer, School officials, or other members of theresident’s support team as needed.
• Assist the STRTP Program Coordinator in selecting residents that will be moreworkable/amiable to the program and who would possibly benefit from our services fromthose whose needs are out of the scope of the program should not be accepted.
• Attends/Facilitates meetings as required.
• Facilitates Mental Health training for SMGC staff as assigned.
• Complies with all agency regulations and protocols for those that SMGC services orcontracts with in relation to Mental Health services, billing, and HIPAA.
  Gains resident specific knowledge of the DSM, special education, medication dosages, symptoms, side effects, and Juvenile Codes.
• Reports suspected neglect or abuse as a Mandated Reporter.
  Responds to clinical emergencies on an on-call basis when assigned.
• Attends and participates in mandatory training and in-services as required.
  Performs other duties as required by the Head of Service.
• Completes all life skills documentation and paperwork on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Meets with the entire house for 3 hours minimum weekly to review curriculum and group activities.
• Organizes group activity or exercise that involves all residents.
  Assists with other groups and activities the residents may be involved with/in (i.e. anger management, therapy, DMV visit, searching for jobs, college meetings, apartment hunting, etc.)
• Available for crisis issues regarding residents as needed
• Creates weekly game plans and schedules for the houses.
  Participates in Life Skills Awards and Life Skills Outings as indicated.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

All incumbents of this position must be able to perform the minimum requirements of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Rules and guidelines for STRTP operations.
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Residential / community–based mental health care and trauma-related models of practice.
• Social and mental health needs of at-risk youth.
• Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services, CCR Overview Requirements for Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program Providers and Mental Health Plan Clinical Documentation and Billing Manual.

SKILLS:

• Interpersonal and conversational skills.
• Communicates clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Works well with individuals of varying backgrounds.
• Display strong organizational skills.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

ABILITY TO:

• Learn Electronic Health Record System – a program used to record information on all youth.
• Be part of the Emergency Response team for one on one and/or 5150 calls.
• Give full attention to what social service clients are saying, understand the points being made, ask questions, and not interrupt inappropriately.
• Judge the relative costs and benefits of potential social service and health care actions and choose the most appropriate one.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities such as integrity, accountability, empathy, humility, resilience, vision, influence, and positivity.
• Develop individual service plans.
• Provide case management for young adults with behavioral and emotional needs.
• Listen and evaluate the needs of the youth.
• Appropriately manage time, analyze data, and problem solve.
• Work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.
• Demonstrate patience and empathy.
• Demonstrate active listening.
• Maintain a friendly and outgoing demeanor.
• Maintain regular attendance.
• Remain calm in stressful situations.
• Act as a role model for at-risk youth.
• Stand, sit, walk, traverse, lift, bend, squat, push, pull, reach, grab, hear, talk, and see

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s degree in social work, marriage & family therapy, psychology, counseling psychology, or social psychology, with registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an LCSW or ASCW, LMFT or AMFT, and LPCC or APCC.

Preferred: Two year’s work experience in a social work or mental health setting; one-year accepted on case-by-case basis. Experience working with at-risk, foster, and/or LGBTQ youth in a diverse community.

As a condition of continued employment, must complete and accrue 40 hours of in-service training within one (1) year of hire date.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Incumbents are required to meet standards set by the State of California Community Care Licensing: physical exam and health questionnaire; Tuberculosis screening clearance; Statement of Criminal Convictions; Child Abuse Index Check; and Department of Justice Fingerprint Clearance. Required to possess and maintain a current and valid California driver’s license, acceptable DMV record and maintain the California minimum vehicle comp and collision insurance.