Mental Health Therapist - Prevention and Early Intervention - St. Joseph Center

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

Job Summary

The Mental Health Specialist delivers interventions based on select evidence-based practice models and works as a team member with other social service professionals ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health for contracted agencies as well as adhering to the mission of St Joseph Center.

PEI works with adults and older adults who require short term therapy to resolve mild mental health symptoms due to life stressors. Clients are expected to engage in weekly therapy meetings and need to be mainly self-sufficient in other areas of life.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Provide targeted outreach, engagement and education to Adults and Older Adults in order to increase awareness regarding overall mental health and health issues
• Provide mental health and crisis intervention services as indicated by EBP models to a caseload of consumers as well as other interventions that promote wellness and recovery such as (CBT, PST, IPT, SS, and CORS)
• Conduct group therapy as needed.

Essential Duties:

• Facilitate and complete appropriate portions of the Adult Full Assessment
• Collect and complete all required SJC/DMH documentation, assist in the development of a targeted clinical treatment plan; obtain appropriate service authorization, and produce timely reports
• Participate in regular team meetings to review existing caseload, & discuss new and ongoing clients
• Facilitate treatment referrals to higher levels of care as needed
• Document and provides feedback to other Senior Service staff about client activities in the recovery process
• Document and bill all activities as required by agency and/or funders
• Work collaboratively and be a strong team player, as well as being able to work independently in a fast past environment
• Participate in outreach activities, such as mental health fairs and collaboration with SJC non-clinical teams

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter.  Must have the ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff.  Must have excellent administrative and organizational skills
• Possess a strong knowledge of homelessness & low income issues and interventions in Los Angeles County
• Ability to work effectively under time constraints, prioritize work, multi-task, adapt to changing work demands, and problem-solve complex structural and systems issues
• A bilingual background is a plus
• The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings

Experience:

• Two years’ experience with the older adult population, knowledge of evidence based practices (e.g. seeking safety, CBT, IPT, PST), and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health documentation and electronic health record (e.g. EXYM)
• Understanding of best practice models including: Housing First, Mental Health Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Critical Time Intervention

Education:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services or a related field

Direct Reports:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and widely supported internet browsers.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Required: CA BBS registered MSW, MFT
• Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Valid automobile liability insurance.

Travel Requirements:

• This is a field capable position. Applicants must be open to meeting clients in the home or community.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, stoop, talk, hear, reach above and below shoulders; use hand and finger dexterity, keyboarding and making and receiving telephone calls. The employee may be required on occasion to lift and or carry up to 20 lbs.

Status: Full-time/Exempt

Pay Range: $66,560/year

At St. Joseph Center, pay ranges are set using the best available market data for the job at the required location. To determine salary for a candidate, we consider the candidate's skills and capabilities for the job compared with expectations for the position.

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

 https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf