The School-Linked Clinical Therapist I is a position intended to provide services to several dedicated schools. Clinical Therapists promote a strengths-based approach to treatment that empowers families, supports a community-based philosophy of service, and ensures that all clinical services are aligned with the agency’s mission, vision, and core values. Performs a wide variety of professional, doctoral/master level clinical services for children and families in a community based mental health setting. Assists clients and their families in understanding and finding solutions to complex problems that lead to and/or result from mental illness and severe emotional health needs. Within agency guidelines and professional standards, incumbents of this position function independently.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- The SLS Clinical Therapist is intended to be dedicated to several schools and to provide services specifically to those schools either in-person or remotely following agreements with each school.
- Service provision is anticipated to be about 80% of the typical work-week and about 20% attending required individual/group supervision and staff meetings at the Exposition Park site.
- Provides psychotherapy to individuals, groups, families, and significant others as appropriate.
- Establishes a treatment plan designed to address the mental, emotional, and behavioral needs of the client and family. The treatment plan may include individual, group, family or conjoint therapy, and/or referral to another treatment source such as a psychologist for psychological testing or a psychiatrist for medication or another agency that offers specific services needed by the client and family.
- Completes DMH/Med-Cal required Initial Clinical Assessments and associated clinical documentation.
- Assesses client's functioning in his/her environmental setting.
- Provides crisis intervention and evaluates for a higher level of care such as in-patient psychiatric treatment.
- Provides psycho-education to clients and families regarding mental health needs and treatment recommendations.
- Participates in multidisciplinary treatment review meetings to discuss and evaluate the client's progress.
- Meets agency’s productivity standards for client service hours.
- Completes and submits clinical documentation within 3 business days utilizing the agency’s electronic health record system (EXYM). May participate in social work or psychology student affiliate programs for training professional social work and psychology students.
- May provide consultation services to community agencies to advise the consultee on the utilization of mental health services pertinent to the needs dealt with by the community agency.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
A Doctoral or Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in social work or psychology, including supervised field work experience in child/adolescent mental health. At least two (2) years of post graduate social work or psychology experience in a recognized social service agency, clinic, hospital or public mental health agency is preferred. One of those two years must have been in a mental health setting such as a hospital, clinic or day treatment center. Registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Social Worker (AMSW) or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). Psychologist must be registered with the California Board of Psychology as a Registered Psychological Associate and have a valid Waiver from Health and Human Services. Must possess and maintain a valid CA driver’s license and insurable driving record.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Employee may be asked to participate in cross-training programs or pursue additional education or training when it is determined to be in the best interest of the agency by their Division Director or the Vice President of Programs.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Employee regularly needs to work out in the field, communicating with clients in their homes and schools. Employee must have the ability to use a personal vehicle with the required insurance coverage to complete the essential duties of their job and conduct agency business. Employee may be required to work flexible and/or evening hours
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc.
Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity equipment (i.e., calculator, copy machine and computer printer)
Frequently operates a motor vehicle to travel to clients’ school or home site
Regularly converses with staff and clients
Frequently needs to position self in order to effectively interact with children of lesser stature
Occasionally needs to transport materials (toys, books, etc.) weighing up to 50 pounds for therapeutic activities.
This description is only intended to illustrate the duties, responsibilities and requirements for it. It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted to describe each and every duty the employee may be required to perform.
