Mental Health Therapist

Title:  Mental Health Therapist 

Reports to:  Director of Mental Health Services

Department:  Mental Health Services

Location:  5350 Machado Road and in the field

FLSA Status:  Exempt/B

Compensation: $70,304 - $74,800 annual

Program Hours:  Based on clients’ needs

Supervisory Responsibility: NONE

Provide individual and/or family thrapy to improve the emotional well-being and overall functioning of youth (Medi-Cal recipients) and their families who live in Los Angeles County.

• Thoroughly assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of clients and their family members to make an accurate diagnosis and complete initial assessment.  Formulate, implement, and re-evaluate a treatment plan to address safety issues, presenting problems, and potential need for linkage to additional resources. Integrate outcome measures, as appropriate, into assessment and treatment process. Provide community-based, which includes home, school, community locations, and telehealth psychotherapy services (including targeted case management and collateral sessions) to individuals, groups, and families in a respectful, culturally competent manner that facilitates positive change. Conduct interventions based on formal diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, best practices, consultation and coordination with stakeholders and, when applicable, specific evidence-based practice.
• Use computer and electronic health record (EXYM) to compose documents, input data, and maintain accurate clinical documentation according to legal, ethical, ECF and DMH standards. Meet deadlines for clinical documentation and meet productivity requirements.
• Prepare and participate in weekly individual and group clinical supervision and monthly quality assurance reviews. Seek consultation for clinical, legal and ethical issues, as necessary

• Be available by telephone after hours and occasionally on weekends for crisis intervention.
• Comply with ECF’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program.  Ensure safe use and operation of tools and/or equipment.
• Comply with ECF policies and procedures, including mandated reporting requirements.
• Observe regular, on-site work hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education/Licenses/Certifications:  MA or MS degree in Social Work or Psychology from an accredited institution.  Registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an AMFT, or ACSW.

Experience: Experience counseling at-risk children and their families, using Electronic Health Records, and preparing Department of Mental Health documentation preferred.

Knowledge/Abilities/Skills: 

• Ability to deal appropriately with sensitive and confidential information.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, collaterals and other professionals, with supervisory guidance as needed.
• Basic knowledge of human development throughout the lifespan, interventions based on research and theory, family and system interaction, formal diagnostic criteria, risk assessment, evidence-based practices and assessment tools.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of existing relevant statutes, case law, ethical codes, and regulations affecting professional practice of marriage and family therapy and/or social work.
• Ability to perform psychosocial assessments and develop treatment plans accordingly.
• Ability to provide counseling and/or psychotherapy services.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds, and to communicate a professional clinical perspective in interdisciplinary staff meetings while respecting the roles and responsibilities of other professionals.
• Ability to organize work, set personal priorities and meet multiple deadlines as assigned by the supervisor.
• Ability to use computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, maintaining accurate, timely and thorough clinical documentation, and tracking quality improvements.
• Ability to work independently in a community-based service structure, maintaining quality of service.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) based on clients’ needs.

• Driving is an essential function of this position.  Proof of valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, evidence of state-mandated car insurance, and insurable driving record are required.  While driving for work, should a need arise, the employee’s insurance is deemed primary and ECF’s coverage is secondary. 
• Driving Disclaimer- Employees driving for company business must maintain a clean record and operate vehicles safely and responsibly. Company vehicles will be monitored and activity recorded. Violations of the driving policy may result in disciplinary action, including suspension of driving privileges, reassignment, or termination
• Provide evidence of a negative TB test initially and every three years thereafter
• Pass a pre-employment physical initially and annually
• Obtain and maintain NCI, First Aid and CPR certification
• Maintain BBS registration

Work is performed in a private or shared office and in the community, including clients’ homes.  Office is located in a building that is shared with a K–12^th school for children who have varying degrees of learning, behavioral, emotional, and developmental disabilities.  Employee may encounter individuals who are emotional and students who are in crisis, exhibiting emotional/psychological distress or behaving in an aggressive manner.  Employee will be exposed to frequent interruptions, loud noise, odors, varying indoor temperature, and drafts.   Frequent interaction with clients’ families, many of whom are high-risk and of low socio-economic status.  When services are provided in the home, parent or other responsible adult must be present.  Employee may not be with a student alone in a room with the door closed; students must never be left unattended.   Some exposure to outside weather conditions when traveling on ECF business, including attending events, off-site meetings, etc.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job. 

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer.
• Require the use of hands to produce records and/or documentation in manual or electronic format.
• Vision to read printed materials and computer screen.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Occasionally move or lift up to 10 pounds.
• Frequently required to travel to various sites within Los Angeles County.
• Ability to implement NCI, First Aid, and CPR.

Exceptional Children’s Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.  We are on a mission to support independence, belonging and community. We strive to build a culture that is safe, respectful, fair, and supportive for all employees. We are proud to employ people of all backgrounds who possess the talent, energy, and focus to accelerate our vision forward.

Employment with Exceptional Children’s Foundation, aka ECF is at-will employment which means that ECF or the employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice. ECF holds the right to modify the terms of employment, including but not limited to, job descriptions, duties, schedules, compensation, work locations, procedures, guidelines, practices or employee benefit programs with or without advance notice. I acknowledge and understand that the at-will nature of my employment relationship with ECF can only be changed by an express written agreement signed by the President/CEO of ECF and me.