Clinical Therapist - African American Healing Center AAHC

About the Organization

HealthRIGHT 360 gives hope, builds health, and changes lives for people in need by providing comprehensive, integrated, compassionate care that includes primary medical care, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment. The African American Healing Center works with clients to prevent and reduce violence in communities. Services are designed to meet the needs of people with all backgrounds, while proactively serving communities of color with programs that honor African American history and are sensitive to the cultural context of each client.

About the Role

The Clinical Therapist works collaboratively with a team consisting of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselors to provide valuable insight, direction, and oversight of Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) services. Under the DMC model, they are qualified to establish medical necessity and approve SUD treatment plans. This position maintains an assigned caseload of clients seeking substance use and mental health treatment, conducting face-to-face assessments, individual counseling sessions, and progress reviews.

Responsibilities

• Maintain appropriate/ethical boundaries with all clients and families served.
• Facilitate timely access to mental health services on site and within the community.
• Act as a liaison between other programs and referring agencies.
• Serve as the point of contact and coordinate referrals and follow-ups with health agencies.
• Conduct mental health assessments and ensure follow-up from each client and treatment counselor.
• Identify treatment needs, recommend treatment plans based on assessment, and ensure clients meet all requirements.
• Ensure client is assessed to the appropriate level of care.
• Provide diagnostic feedback and assessment information to facilitate accurate level step-up or step-down services.
• Monitor client conduct, record client activity, and inform colleagues of potential challenges in treatment episodes.
• Handle crisis interventions and assess situations for further needs.
• Maintain and successfully retain an assigned caseload of clients.
• Initiate and coordinate curriculum development and facilitate curriculum training as required.
• Maintain files in accordance with governing standards and regulations.
• Maintain records and document services in a timely manner.
• Maintain strict confidentiality guidelines regarding all clients, conversations, and referrals.
• Maintain a productivity standard of 24 hours a week of client services.
• Maintain accurate knowledge of HealthRIGHT 360 programs and services.
• Maintain and develop positive working relationships with the public and community-based organizations.
• Facilitate psycho-education groups on core curriculum topics including CBT, Seeking Safety, DBT, and Coping with Stress Triggers.
• Coordinate discharge planning with client’s SUD Counselor.
• Provide consultation to staff regarding symptom management, mental health conditions, and crisis intervention strategies.
• Attend staff and agency meetings and participate in agency training as required.
• Comply with Board requirements for license registration/renewal.
• Develop and maintain a self-care wellness plan in collaboration with supervisor to prevent compassion fatigue.
• Daily maintenance and monitoring of EMR reports to prevent and clear compliance errors in records.
• Conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, complete release and consent forms, billing, and reporting paperwork in hard copy and online systems.
• Complete assigned Drug Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Medi-Cal documentation and billing.
• Document individual and group services delivered in various electronic systems.
• Schedule weekly team meetings and create agendas in coordination with administrative staff.
• Ensure timely response to required compliance/documentation issues.
• Ensure completion of all action/follow-up items and overall clinical consultation.
• Review and sign initial treatment plans and medical necessity forms, adhering to strict DMC timelines.
• Work as part of an integrated, multi-disciplinary treatment team.
• Assess, manage, and de-escalate client mental health crises.
• Facilitate group sessions focused on substance use recovery, trauma recovery, co-occurring mental health symptoms, and other personal change topics.
• Utilize principles of trauma-informed care and harm reduction to attend to client milieu, including crisis assessment and management.
• Proactively link clients with available internal and external resources to develop/maintain treatment plans, transition/discharge plans, and progress notes.
• Attend regular group and individual supervision, trainings, meetings, and events related to professional development.
• Document all individual and group counseling sessions.
• Maintain accurate records by data entering documentation into various electronic systems for all caseload clients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BBS Registered with Board of Behavioral Sciences (AMFT, APCC, ACSW).
• Some experience in a substance abuse treatment or community mental health setting.
• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Experience with Drug Medi-Cal operations preferred.
• Experience with mental health assessment and diagnosis.
• Experience establishing supportive relationships and working with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Experience working successfully with issues of substance abuse, mental health, criminal background, and other potential barriers to economic self-sufficiency.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Word, Outlook, and internet applications.
• Must complete a background check and Live Scan.

Benefits

• Robust benefits package, including PTO and 15 paid holidays.
• Commuter benefits.
• Retirement plans.
• Eligibility for public loan forgiveness programs.
• Training and professional development opportunities.
• Work with mission-driven, compassionate colleagues.
• Union-eligible position.