Health and Wellness Substance Use Therapist

Job Title

• Health and Wellness Substance Use Therapist
• REPORTS TO: Clinical Director
• SCHEDULE: Sunday-Thursday (9:00am-5:30pm)
• LOCATION: Venice, CA, Access Center; Los Angeles, CA, Nova Transitional Housing, On-site
• STATUS: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, Exempt
• DRIVER POSITION: Yes [If yes, see driving policy below]
• SALARY RANGE: $70,304 - $75,000 / annually

About Us

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that values community collaboration, and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of youth. If you have the skills, passion, and collaborative spirit, join our growing team.

About the Role

The Health and Wellness Substance Use Therapist will support the growth and development of SPY’s clinical programming by offering individual and group therapy and specialized substance use services utilizing a harm reduction approach. The therapist will support members in meeting their goals, improving health and wellness, and building community connections.

What You’LL Do

Work collaboratively to develop, innovate, and grow SPY’s clinical services through providing holistic substance use and mental health services to promote health and wellness.

Provide in-person therapeutic services at our drop-in Center (Venice, CA) and housing sites through both individual and group therapy with a specialization in substance use and harm reduction.

Develop and facilitate programming to build community, expand social support, reduce stigma, support safe use practices, prevent overdose, increase knowledge around substance use, and provide recovery groups.

Participate in the On-Call Clinician rotation during drop-in hours, completing risk assessments and safety plans when clinically indicated.

Facilitate and document comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and verification of disability assessments using a person-centered approach.

Collaborate with members to develop treatment plans designed to meet member identified goals, utilize clinically appropriate trauma-informed interventions, and document progress.

Build relationships with other providers and serve as a liaison between the clinical department and partnering agencies to assist in building a robust continuum of care for members seeking support around substance use and/or mental health.

• Attend relevant community convenings and collaborate with community connections to enhance services.
• Provide clinical case management as needed, including referrals to detox, residential treatment, intensive outpatient (IOP) programs and other levels of care.
• Contribute to SPY clinical case conferences.
• Complete clinical documentation, activity tracking, outcome surveys, and reporting in a timely fashion.

Facilitate member accountability meetings and collaborate to develop appropriate support and safety plans utilizing a restorative justice approach.

Ensure therapeutic services with youth are strengths based, non-judgmental, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and utilize harm reduction.

• Work collaboratively across internal departments and assist with general SPY programming as needed.
• Conduct staff training and presentations to increase knowledge of substance use and appropriate clinical practice.
• Work within established legal and ethical guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization.

Requirements

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Education

• Master’s degree in a mental health-related field such as Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling.
• Registered as an ASW, AMFT, or APCC or licensed with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
• At least 2 years of experience providing direct clinical services.
• Expertise in principles of substance use treatment as well as skill in crisis management and rapport building.
• Knowledge of adolescent and young adult social, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Assessment skills and knowledge of mental health and substance use diagnosing using a whole person care and culturally sensitive approach.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with transitional age youth and with a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to inclusive and restorative justice practices, anti-racism, and trauma-informed care.
• A commitment to the mission, vision, and values of SPY.

A self-starter who is prepared to drive innovative solutions for an emerging organization and an openness to learning.

An ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires effective collaboration with a variety of individuals, departments, and organizations.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of child and dependent adult abuse mandated reporting laws.
• Cultural responsiveness and humility.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

Special Conditions

Mandated Reporting Requirements: All SPY employees are mandated reporters and are legally required to report any reasonable suspicion of child, elder, or dependent adult abuse or neglect.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Effective August 9, 2021, the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers, paid or unpaid, in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot, proof of booster is also required.

Please submit proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, please get in touch with HR at the same email address. It's important to note that these accommodations are not guaranteed.

Driver Positions

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record.

For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period.

In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and SPY has the same right.

The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.

Benefits & Perks

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage, 403b with agency contribution, and ample paid time off. We also offer unique perks including professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

EEO Statement

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application