Clinical Case Manager Therapist for DMH Homeless Mental Health Services ASW AMFT APCC

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, supporting over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services in mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services. Special programs target Veterans and transition-age youth. MHALA also provides training programs for the behavioral health workforce and the larger community around mental health issues.

MHALA prioritizes employee well-being through communication, collaboration, transparency, and a healthy work/life balance. Employees enjoy a 35-hour workweek, a team-oriented culture with growth opportunities, a competitive salary, and a full benefits package including an employee assistance program and generous paid time off.

About the role

The Hope Full Service Partnership (FSP) is a mobile homeless outreach and intensive case management program funded by the Department of Mental Health in LA County, Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). The program targets individuals experiencing homelessness with severe mental health issues and possible chronic physical health conditions. It utilizes evidence-based practices such as outreach and engagement, harm reduction, housing first, motivational interviewing, and supported employment and education. The goal is to assist participants in achieving recovery, securing permanent housing, and becoming full community participants.

Responsibilities

• Complete diagnostic assessments and provide crisis intervention, counseling/therapy, and other interventions to promote mental health wellness and recovery.
• Conduct outreach and engagement efforts, including informing homeless individuals about program services and establishing trusting relationships through intensive, sustained, and consistent processes. Document termination of outreach efforts when individuals become eligible for Hope FSP.
• Work collaboratively within an integrated mobile team to provide street outreach, community-based case management, housing, mental health, and primary care services to homeless individuals.
• Provide all services in the field (member’s home or locations where homeless individuals congregate) within the scope of license/clinical training.
• Become LPS designated or qualified by LA County Department of Mental Health to write involuntary holds (5150) within 90 days of hire.
• Provide crisis intervention, including assessment and initiating hospitalization.
• Deliver case management as defined by the Hope FSP contract and individual needs, including referrals and coordination with medical providers and primary health services.
• Meet required outcomes as identified in the DMH Specialized FSP Service Exhibit.
• Make independent assessments to identify member needs and collaborate within the integrated team to provide necessary resources.
• Develop recovery plans with each member that identify personal goals and needs.
• Utilize evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing, harm reduction, supported employment and education, intensive case management, and housing first modalities.
• Participate in additional trainings to learn effective intervention strategies for the population served.
• Provide coaching, counseling, mentoring, and instruction in areas such as physical health care, money management, grooming, hygiene, meal preparation, public transportation, and other independent living skills.
• Mediate and advocate on behalf of members to help them obtain and retain housing, health care benefits, entitlements, etc.
• Maintain all records and documentation in compliance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements, including 24-hour note entry turnaround, 48-hour note correction, and monthly billing requirements of 65 hours.
• Actively participate in regular team meetings with proactive communication around member concerns.
• Ensure all Hope FSP services are culturally and linguistically respectful and responsive to individuals’ needs based on their cultural identity.
• Provide collateral support, including contacting family members or significant others (with the individual’s authorization) to discuss care/treatment goals.
• Provide transportation, including transporting individuals to referred services and accompanying them on public transportation as needed.
• Deliver life skills training using habilitation interventions to assist individuals in gaining, restoring, or maintaining daily independent living skills.

Requirements

• Must be licensed, licensed-waivered (ASW/AMFT/APCC), or able to obtain licensure waiver.
• Ability to nurture and maintain good community relations on behalf of the organization.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
• Valid CPR and basic first aid certificate preferred.
• Proficiency in technological and computer applications.
• Flexible work schedule, including some evenings or weekends, and on-call cell phone services.
• High level of tolerance and understanding for individuals with urgent multiple needs and problematic behavioral characteristics.
• Knowledge of characteristics of individuals who are substance abusing and/or dually diagnosed; ability to provide or coordinate appropriate treatment.
• Ability to adapt to programmatic changes as the project evolves.
• Current Class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, and ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance.
• TB clearance and annual re-testing as a condition of continued employment.
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots may become a requirement in the future; failure to comply may result in termination.
• Employment verification directly from three past employers within the most recent 7-year period.

Pay

$34.00 - $34.50 per hour (actual compensation determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law).

Schedule

35 hours per week.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Full benefits package, including an employee assistance program.
• Generous paid time off.