Mental Health Clinician

About the role

The Mental Health Clinician (MHC) aims to reduce the distress and improve the mental health of the homeless and underserved populations presenting with complex medical and psycho-social problems. The MHC may be an ACSW, LCSW, AMFT, LMFT, or Psychological Associate. The MHC works a hybrid model, remotely and on-site per the needs of clients. Works alongside other professionals in multidisciplinary teams in helping to resolve complex patient issues. Demonstrate Christ-like behavior and attitude in all job duties and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Assess, diagnose, and treat patient’s symptoms and dysfunctional behaviors per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual via in-person visits and telehealth (i.e., video & phone sessions).
• Provide individual and group psychotherapies to clients with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, hypertension, medication non-adherence, addiction, social and interpersonal problems, personality disorders and challenging behaviors.
• Develop social assessments and formulate individualized treatment plans based on evaluation of the patient’s past, present, and future medical and socioeconomic functioning.
• Apply behavioral interventions such as motivational interviewing that increase positive outcomes and optimize patient well-being.
• Provide wellness checks (i.e., SBIRTs – Screening, Brief Intervention, & Referral to Treatment) to patients to assess their well-being and to connect them to mental health services (during “down” times and at other times).
• Triage patients on the mental health waitlist by calling them for SBIRTs to assess mental health conditions and needs.
• Work as a part of a multidisciplinary team alongside medical providers, nurses, psychologists, front office staff, and case managers.
• Provide consultation services to multidisciplinary team members by evaluating the biopsychosocial implications of the patient’s illness when the team is assessing and planning medical treatment.
• Refer patients to institutions, support services, psychiatry, and other specialists as needed.
• Provide functional assessments in reports to the Department of Public Social Services, Department of Child and Family Services, Social Security Administration, and the Judiciary as needed.
• Provide some case management or referrals to assist homeless patients with accessing vital resources such as housing, substance abuse treatment, specialty mental health care, and public benefits as needed.
• Document all assessments, diagnoses, care plans, interventions, referrals, telephone encounters, SBIRTs, and therapy visits in our electronic medical records system.
• Network with community organizations for referral, partnership, and collaboration.
• Attend community meetings and events (such as street fairs and outreach events) as needed.
• Participate in weekly individual and group supervision per BBS or BOP guidelines (i.e., as a supervisee if unlicensed; as a clinical supervisor if licensed as needed).
• Develop and utilize resources of public and private agencies and community organizations in the service areas of LACHC as needed.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or marriage & family therapy. For psychologists, doctoral degree in clinical psychology.
• BBS registration in California as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT), or Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT). For psychologists, BOP registration in California as a Psychological Associate.
• Minimum two year of providing mental health services (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, case management, and individual and group therapies) to homeless, mentally ill, substance addicted adult populations. Prior experience working at a community mental health or primary care, medical setting preferred.
• CPR certification required. Bilingual/bi-literal Spanish preferred.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Excel preferred.
• Familiarity with medical terms and operations of clinics useful.

Benefits

Full-time, Regular, Exempt position with Medical, Dental, Vision and 403B Retirement Plan with employer match. Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Los Angeles Christian Health Centers

Los Angeles Christian Health Centers opened in 1995 with a handful of staff but a big vision to render hope and healing through healthcare to the thousands of homeless and low-income residents living in Los Angeles County. Today, 120 staff members serve the County’s most vulnerable populations from our two full-time health centers in Skid Row and Boyle Heights. We also provide comprehensive medical care at our 10 part-time satellite clinics hosted by our community partners throughout Downtown Los Angeles and Watts.