Clinician Therapist Psychologist for Homeless Mental Health Services LCSW ASW LMFT AMFT LPCC APCC PsyD PhD

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.

MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County.

The agency supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services.

MHALA achieves impact in the areas of mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth.

MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues.

MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members.

Communication, collaboration, transparency and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture.

Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care and can enjoy a 35-hour workweek.

MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization.

The agency promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth.

We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program, and generous paid time off.

• Clinician / LCSW ASW LMFT AMFT LPCC APCC Psy D Ph D
• 35 hours per week / $34.00 - $34.50 per hour

(The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.)

Summary

The Hope FSP is a program designed to provide mental health care services within a mobile homeless outreach and intensive case management team model.

This program is funded by the Department of Mental Health in LA County, Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA).

This program will target people experiencing homelessness with severe mental health issues and possible chronic physical health issues.

The project will utilize evidenced based outreach and engagement, harm reduction, housing first, motivational interviewing and supported employment and education practices.

The goal of the program is to assist program participants to achieve a level of recovery from their illnesses, live in permanent housing and become full participants in the community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agency’s operations.

MHALA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider.

The agency will consider individuals with a criminal history in accordance with both the Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCO) and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA).

• The Clinician shall be responsible for completing diagnostic assessments and providing crisis intervention, counseling/therapy and other interventions that promote mental health wellness and recovery.
• Provides outreach and engagement efforts which include informing individuals who are homeless about program services and establishing trusting relationships through an intensive, sustained and consistent process; provides clear documentation for terminating outreach efforts when the person is eligible for Hope FSP to include the reason for terminating, the number of contacts made to engage the person, and the number of attempts to locate individuals who became missing during outreach.
• Works collaboratively within an integrated mobile team to provide street outreach, community-based case management, housing, mental health and primary care services to homeless individuals.
• Must provide all services in the field (member’s home, any other location where homeless individuals congregate) within scope of license/clinical training.
• Must become LPS designated or be qualified in a timely manner by LA County Department of Mental Health to write involuntary holds per section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code within 90 days of hire.
• Provides crisis intervention, including assessment and initiating hospitalization.
• Provides case management as defined by Hope FSP contract and individual needs.

This includes but is not limited to referrals, coordinating with specialty care medical providers, primary health services etc.

• Meets required outcomes as identified in the DMH Specialized FSP Service Exhibit.
• Make independent assessments to identify member needs as necessary and initiate communication and collaboration within the integrated team to provide the resources to meet those needs.
• Develop recovery plan with each member that identifies his/her personal goals and needs.
• Utilize evidence-based practices in service delivery such as motivational interviewing, harm reduction, supported employment and education, intensive case management, and housing first modalities.
• Be an active part of the learning in this project by participating in other trainings (DMH trainings and other sources) that introduce different interventions that could be an effective strategy with this population.
• Provides coaching, counseling, mentoring, instruction, training, feedback and positive reinforcement for members in areas such physical health care, money management, grooming and hygiene, meal preparation, public transportation and other independent living skills.
• Mediates and advocates on behalf of the member to help him/her obtain and keep housing, health care benefits, entitlements, etc.
• Maintains all records and documentation, utilizing various technological resources needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements.
• Must meet all documentation and billing requirements, i. e., 24 hour note entry turnaround, 48 hour note correction turnaround time, and monthly requirements of 65 hours of billing.
• Active participation in regular team meetings with proactive communication around member concerns required.
• Ensures that all Hope FSP services are culturally and linguistically respectful of and responsive to the individual’s needs based on their cultural identity.
• Provides collateral support which includes contacting family members and/or significant other(s) with the individual’s authorization to discuss how they can assist the person with their care/treatment goals.
• Provides transportation including transporting individuals to services to which they have been referred and accompanying people on public transportation to ensure the assistance needed to attain services.
• Provides life skills training including using habilitation interventions to assist individuals to gain, restore, improve or maintain daily independent living skills such as money and household management, developing social/leisure activities and maintaining overall health and wellness.
• Other Position Requirements
• Must be licensed, licensed-waivered (ASW/AMFT/APCC)
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to nurture and maintain good community relations on behalf of the organization.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources.
• Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
• Valid CPR and basic first aid certificate preferred.
• Knowledgeable in technological and computer applications.
• Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends, and on call cell phone services.
• Must possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple needs, issues and problematic behavioral characteristics
• Knowledgeable of the characteristics of individuals who are substance abusing and/or dually diagnosed, and provide or coordinate appropriate level of treatment as needed
• This project requires the ability to be flexible and adapt to programmatic changes as they occur and the project evolves.
• Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance are conditions of employment
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required; however, this may become a requirement in the future.

Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment

• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employees within the most recent 7-year period
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