Therapist - AMFT

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.

MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County. The agency supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services. MHALA achieves impact in the areas of mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth.

MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues.

MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members. Communication, collaboration, transparency and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture. Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care and can enjoy a 35-hour workweek.

MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization. The agency promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth. We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program, and generous paid time off.

Therapist - AMFT

35 hours per week / $34.00 - $38.00 per hour

(The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agency’s operations. MHALA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider.

The agency will consider individuals with a criminal history in accordance with both the Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCO) and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA).

Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA liability insurance are conditions of employment

• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of employment
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment
• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period

Requirements

LCSW/ASW/AMFT/LMFT:

Provide license dependent clinical services that may include but not limited to psychosocial assessments, diagnosis, clinical treatment or linkage to mental health services

Assess, establish medical necessity, document observed/reported symptoms, determine diagnosis/functional impairments, and apply best practices when providing psychotherapy.

Provide therapeutic case management and rehabilitation services to assist individuals in identifying helpful resources and to build skillsets in navigating how to access those resources. Support efforts to help individuals achieve their goals in areas such as but not limited to physical health, education, employment, housing, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Provide crisis interventions including: assessing acute psychiatric and other emergency situations, initiating hospitalizations and responding appropriately by region (South Bay and Antelope Valley)

Work collaboratively within the team to provide clinical guidance, such as identifying member needs as necessary and initiate communication within the integrated team to provide the resources to meet those needs

Maintains all records and documentation, utilizing various technological resources needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements

• Active participation in regular team meetings with pro-active communication around member concerns
• Maintain billing and/or program objective requirements.

The position requires paperwork completed in accordance with MHALA, and County Contracted Provider standards and funding source requirements.

Program Specific

Complete documentation in accordance with standards of MHALA and LACDMH County Contracted Provider funding source requirements, and documents in Electronic Health record (EHR), including 24-hour turnaround documentation.

Work collaboratively with and as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary Wellness Center team, modeling clinical best practices, providing member centered counseling, coaching, instruction, and feedback. Empower individuals to improve their quality of life.

Work closely with program participants and their families to ensure that their needs are expressed, they have a “voice” in treatment decisions and the overall treatment process.

Work closely with all team members, program participants, and families to identify skills and create opportunities to develop support needed to increase program participant’s ability to perform their best at home, school, work, and/or community setting of choice

Read, perform research, attend classes, workshops or seminars and participate in other professional development activities in order to maintain and enhance personal and professional skills

Position Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW)
• Licensed with California Board of Behavioral Sciences as Licensed Social Worker (LCSW) or Registration with California Board of Behavioral Sciences as Associate Social Worker (ASW)
• Minimum of one-year of post-graduation clinical experience

Bilingual in Spanish Is Preferred

Must have good basic English writing skills, good basic computer skills, be highly organized, and have excellent communication skills.

Must have current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA liability insurance are conditions of employment

• Must be flexible and able to multi-task without losing productivity
• Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Must know or quickly become knowledgeable of characteristics of individuals who are substance abusing and/or dually diagnosed and have knowledge of local services available for dually diagnosed individuals.
• Must have adequate understanding of clinical related concerns, ethics, boundaries, and best practices.
• Must be team-oriented, self-directed, and have good listening and communication skills, the ability to empathize and relate positively to a wide variety of people and dedicated to fulfilling the demand of the position.
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment

COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment.