The Whole Child is actively recruiting for a Mental Health Therapist (PIER).

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The practice of marriage and family therapy shall mean that service performed with individuals, couples, or groups wherein interpersonal relationships are examined for the purpose of achieving more adequate, satisfying, and productive marriage and family adjustments.

The application of marriage and family therapy principles and methods includes, but is not limited to, the use of applied psychotherapeutic techniques, to enable individuals to mature and grow within marriage and the family, the provision of explanations and interpretations of the psychosexual and psychosocial aspects of relationships, and the use, application, and integration of the coursework and training required by Sections 4980.37, 4980.40, and 4980.41.”  BBS 4980.02

REPORTS TO:  Program Director and Clinical Supervisor

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:  Under direct general and specific supervision, provides comprehensive mental health services, case management and other related support services to eligible children and their families.  This role operates exclusively under the direction /license of the supervisor(s).  Any and all clinical questions and concerns must be brought to the attention of the UM and Clinical Supervisors.

This role’s primary purpose is to implement Outpatient Services that are integrated, individualized and tailored to the community needs under the direction of the Supervisor.  The Associate Marriage & Family Therapist provides direct planned interventions designed to promote health and remit illness.  Services promote community and family safety and to reduce the possibility that the identified consumer will require placement in, return to, or be retained in a higher level of care.  The Associate Marriage Family Therapist also provides family, individual, conjoint, and group psychotherapy as necessary to promote the development of parenting/child management skills consistent with maintaining an environment that is both safe and sufficiently structured to support the safe and successful residence of the consumer in the community. This role promotes family-centered, strengths-based approaches to service delivery that encourage functioning in the school and home environments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Billable Activities

  • Provide the amount of service delivery/productivity as noted in annual productivity expectation.
  • Under the general supervision of the Supervisor(s) or his/her designee, conduct DMH Intake-Assessment and Clinical Diagnostic Evaluation, ensuring that the diagnosis is supported by the required documentation of the necessary symptom complex that makes up the diagnosis.
  • Establish treatment planning/service plans consistent with remission of the illness.
  • The Associate Marriage Family Therapist demonstrates intervention techniques, and provides behavioral interventions in a manner consistent with the individualized service plan and mental health objectives. Where possible, delivers evidenced based practices.
  • Complete all charting/paperwork within 24 hours of service delivery and ensure all billable activity is entered on time.
  • Provide field based services
  • Provide family, individual, conjoint, and group psychotherapeutic interventions that are school and family-centered and strengths-based
  • Ensures that all required outcome measures are completed, scored and analyzed to contribute to treatment planning and service delivery.
  • Provide direct case management interventions as required
  • Provide system-oriented interventions for each client’s family, foster family, and support system. System interventions include a full range of rehabilitative activities in collaborative with other members of the mental health treatment team and interagency teams.  The Associate Marriage & Family Therapist must interface effectively with other agencies and with all levels of agency management/staff, consumers and families.
  • Orchestrate child/family team meetings for all assigned families
  • Work closely with Psychiatrists, case managers, TBS Workers, Behavioral Specialists and other therapists as available to facilitate implementation of the child/family treatment plan. Maintain positive communication with all agency staff, clients and visitors
  • Support all existing agency policies, principles and mission.
  • Maintain confidentiality in matters of agency operation, personnel, and clients.
  • Provides and documents 100% of activity in compliance with Federal and State of California Standards for Medi-Cal, Short-Doyle, EPSDT service delivery, ensuring accuracy.
  • Evidences daily congruence with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Core Competencies

Non-Billable Activities

  • Identifies as an Associate, under the direct supervision of their supervisor(s)
  • Attend weekly individual supervision in accordance with BBS requirements
  • Attend weekly group supervisions in accordance with BBS requirements
  • Attend trainings as assigned by supervisor to promote professional growth and adhere to County related funding expectations
  • Complete all aspects required to meet and maintain certification in any/all assigned EBP models
  • Participate as officer of the day to ensure clinical screening occur as expected
  • Review reports for accuracy.
  • Participate in Quality Assurance activities such as Peer Review.
  • Participate in outcome oriented data collection for Program Evaluation.
  • Participate in a multi-cultural team approach that is sensitive to the cultural and linguistic needs of the families served.
  • Participate in monthly staff meetings.
  • Work hours to meet the needs of the community including evening hours if necessary.
  • Exercise good judgment in performance of all duties and responsibilities.
  • Other related duties as assigned and approved by the Supervisor(s)

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING:

  • Master’s degree and registration with the Board of Behavior Sciences
  • One year or more previous experience with children and families requiring diagnostic evaluation, treatment planning and crisis intervention, as well as providing the various modalities of therapy.
    • Evidence Based Practice proficiency is preferred
  • Strong communication skills including:
    • Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) may be required in certain locations and/or positions.  (Additional compensation for proven bi-lingual skills).
    • Exceptionally strong writing skills are required.  Must be able to document in a clear and concise manner and in accordance with DMH and other program standards.
  • Strong commitment to children and families, and a willingness to take the steps necessary to assure their well-being.
  • Ability to work within administrative and process parameters as required.
    • Knowledge of the L.A. County Department of Mental Health system is preferred
  • Willingness to work in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Must be willing to work in homes, schools, and other non-traditional, community oriented environments.

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 company by the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer.

This class specification is only intended to identify the classification and to illustrate the duties, responsibilities, and requirements for it.  It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted to describe each and every duty employees assigned may be required to perform.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in normal office setting in the field contacting clients in homes, schools and other public environments. Noise level is moderate with occasional loud outbursts.

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 machinery, etc.

Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, (i.e., calculator, copy machine and computer printer).

Constantly converses with staff and clients

Frequently operates a motor vehicle to travel to school or home site

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

The Whole Child is an equal employment opportunity employer and no candidate for employment will be rejected on account of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, or sex.  Candidates with physical impairments will be considered so long as it can be reasonably demonstrated that the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed without hazard to the individual, fellow employees, or clientele.

WHAT WE OFFER:

A competitive salary and an above average benefits package:

  • Medical* plan choice of HMO plans or PPO plan
  • Dental* plan choice of HMO or PPO
  • Vision Plan
  • 401K – $ for $ match up to 4%
  • Supplemental Insurances
  • Life Insurance
  • AD&D
  • Pet Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 12 Holidays
  • PTO of 15 days per year that increases per policy

*HMO plans are at no cost to the employee

The Whole Child is an equal employment opportunity employer and no candidate for employment will be rejected on account of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, or sex.  Candidates with physical impairments will be considered so long as it can be reasonably demonstrated that the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed without hazard to the individual, fellow employees, or clientele.