Associate Therapist

Position

Associate Therapist (ASW, AMFT, APCC) - Berkeley, CA - Part Time

Department: Clinical

Supervisor: Clinical Operations Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Age of Patient Population Served

Adolescents and Adults

Primary Purpose and Function

Provide clinical services to patients and families as assigned by the Clinical Operations Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active registration in the state of California as an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT), Associate Social worker (ASW), and/or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) with BBS – California’s licensing board

• Current professional liability insurance - provided by employer

• Ability to be in person at our Berkeley Clinic

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of acute adolescent and/or child psychological disorders

• Knowledge of adult mental health disorders

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Ability to clearly summarize pertinent clinical information via written correspondence and medical record documentation in a timely manner

Core Competencies

• Clinical Competency

• Assessment and Treatment Planning

• Documentation

• Safety and Risk Management

• Ethics and Standards

• Communication and Teamwork

Essential Functions

• Provide individual, family, couples/parent support in the outpatient clinic as assigned.

• Provide coverage as needed in our PHP and IOP Adolescent program, including individual, group, and family therapy.

• Participate in weekly treatment team meetings and present clinical information in a succinct summary when a part of PHP/IOP.

• Assist in developing innovative treatment plans

• Coordinate care with other clinicians/providers upon admission and discharge, as needed.

• Document all therapy sessions, treatment plans, and progress updates in the client's electronic health record in a timely and accurate manner.

• Participate in continuing education and professional development activities to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in mental health and substance use treatment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Preferred Clinical Skills

• Clinical Skills:

• Familiarity with a variety of therapeutic modalities.

• Understanding of the principles of trauma-informed care.

• Experience with and understanding of dual-diagnosis care.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with a diverse client population.

• Proficient in using electronic health records and digital communication tools.

• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

• Strong and timely documentation skills.

• Interpersonal skills: fostering collaborative relationships across departments, teams, and with patients and families.

• Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with patients, families, and staff members.

• Emotional Resilience: Capacity to manage stress and maintain composure in emotionally challenging situations.

• Computer Skills: Proficiency in using computers and electronic health record systems for administrative tasks.

Physical Demands

• The ability to respond quickly to sounds (phone’s, alarms, etc.)

• The ability to see and respond to dangerous situations.

• The ability to bend and lift objects that are no more than 25 pounds.

Work Environment

• The work environment is conducted in an office setting.

BACA’s Core Values

BACA employees form a team with the highest standards who are individually and collectively committed to provide the highest level of care and service for our patient, their families and referents. As such, we require all of our employees to embody our core values detailed below:

Integrity: We are honest and accountable for our performance. We treat our patients and colleagues with respect and dignity.

Quality: We focus on consistent and competent performance of our duties. Careful attention to communication and follow-through produces excellent delivery of care.

Compassion: BACA prides itself on being a safe, comfortable, and contained environment that supports healing, recovery and hope. Every patient is treated with empathy, caring, and kindness.

Collaboration: We employ a “whole person” perspective to treatment. To that end, our program not only focuses on the patient, but the family system as well. We pool resources from patients, families, peers, partners and professionals to deliver exceptional care.

Service: We aid by creating a safe, calm shelter for our patients to risk exploring emotional issues that emerge in treatment.

Competency Evaluation Criteria

Area

Description

Evaluation

Assessment and Evaluation

• Accurately gathers presenting problems, history, strengths, risk, and context.

• Uses appropriate assessment tools and documents findings clearly.

• Formulates clear diagnostic impressions and treatment goals.

Chart Reviews, Supervisor Observation, Case Presentations

Therapeutic Interventions

• Selects and applies evidence-based interventions appropriate to client needs.

• Demonstrates skill in session structure, pacing, and therapeutic techniques.

• Monitors client progress and adjusts interventions as needed.

Supervisor Observation, Case Presentations

Risk Assessment

• Identifies and assesses suicide, harm to others, abuse, and safety risks per policies and procedures.

• Creates and documents safety plans and follows mandated reporting requirements.

• Communicates risk concerns with appropriate team/others when necessary.

Chart Reviews, Supervisor Observation, Case Presentations

Case Management

• Coordinates care, referrals, and community resources effectively

• Maintains timely and accurate documentation and follow-up.

• Advocates for client needs and navigates system barriers appropriately.

Chart Reviews, Supervisor Observation, Case Presentations

Interpersonal Relationships

• Demonstrates effective communication skills with client population of mental health, substance use, and eating disorders.

• Builds rapport, demonstrates empathy, and maintains therapeutic boundaries.

• Communicates clearly and respectfully with clients, families, and colleagues.

• Manages conflict and responds constructively to feedback.

Supervisor Observation, Satisfaction Surveys

Ethics and Standards

• Adheres to professional ethics, confidentiality, informed consent, and scope of practice.

• Recognizes ethical dilemmas and seeks consultation when needed.

• Maintains appropriate licensure, continuing education, and documentation standards.

Chart Reviews, Supervisor Observation

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

BACA is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

At-Will Employment Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be a contract of employment. Employment with BACA is at-will, which means that either the employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job description or any other document should be interpreted as altering the at-will nature of employment.