Therapist - MLK

JOB SUMMARY

HealthRIGHT 360, a family of programs, operates in 11 counties throughout California. Offering a comprehensive range of medical and behavioral health services, HealthRIGHT 360 serves marginalized communities, including primary care, mental health support, detoxification, residential and outpatient substance use disorder treatment, and transitional services tailored to individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Behavioral Health Center (MLK BHC) is a program of HealthRIGHT 360 and is contracted with the Department of Public Health's Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) program. MLK BHC offers residential Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) services for a maximum of 99 adult individuals, comprising 33 beds each for judicially involved men, men, and women. MLK BHC collaborates closely with other Behavioral Health Center programs to ensure a comprehensive range of services for low-income and Medi-Cal-eligible individuals. Situated on the Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital campus in the Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, the program serves residents of all Los Angeles County.

The Therapist I holds a valid registration from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). Their duties encompass conducting clinical assessments, making diagnoses, devising treatment plans, executing interventions, handling crises, and organizing discharge plans. They collaborate closely with other team members to ensure optimal client care, aligning with HealthRIGHT 360’s ethos, objectives, policies, mission, and vision. Employing various therapeutic approaches such as individual, group, and family therapy, they deliver services across different settings including outpatient offices, residential treatment facilities, and in the field as per client and program requirements. Additionally, they participate in on-call rotations and may be called upon to respond outside regular hours.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning:

• Provide thorough clinical assessments and diagnoses.
• Work with the client to develop client-centered treatment plans.
• Monitor treatment progress and update the treatment plan as needed.

Therapy and Intervention:

• Address mental health and/or substance abuse symptoms using individual, group, and/or family treatment.
• Provide thoughtful discharge planning to ensure the client’s safe transitions.
• Provide crisis assessment and intervention as needed.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Seek clinical consultation throughout the treatment episode and when encountering new and/or high-risk clinical circumstances.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the treatment team including Case Managers, Counselors, Medical staff, and Psychiatrists.
• Maintain frequent communication with the treatment team and engage in regular consultations, clinical team meetings, case conferences, and plan development meetings.

Service Delivery and Compliance:

• Deliver services in outpatient, residential, or field settings based on assignments and client need.
• Assist with crisis assessment, crisis intervention, and symptom management within assigned programs by providing 24-hour, 7-day per week after-hours coverage on rotation with other Therapists.
• Meet expected client care hours per week.
• Maintain compliance with due dates for all clinical documentation including assessment, treatment plan, treatment plan updates, re-assessments, discharges, outcome measures, and other clinical documents.
• Write client progress letters and court reports and obtain final approval from the supervisor.
• Documentation must be maintained in compliance with agency policy and procedures, HIPAA, 42-CFR, and other standards to satisfy internal and external evaluating requirements.
• Complete all assigned URCs in a timely manner.
• Maintain full compliance with California BBS regulations.

Professional Development and Administrative Duties:

• Attend and actively participate in Clinical Group Supervision.
• Actively participate in agency and team meetings.
• Participate in training opportunities and pursue certifications in evidence-based practices.
• Complete all assigned training in a timely manner.
• Arrange work schedule in accordance with the agency’s needs.
• Read emails daily and respond when appropriate.

And perform other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Certification, or Licensure

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field from an accredited graduate school.
• Valid registration from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an AMFT, APCC, ASW.
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Valid California Driver’s License and access to registered and insured transportation.

Experience

• Experience treating clients with co-occurring disorders preferred.

Competencies

• Boundaries and Self-awareness. Awareness of personal boundaries and biases, and the ability to maintain professional boundaries and manage countertransference reactions in therapeutic relationships.
• Clinical Documentation. Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation of client assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and other clinical records in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Crisis Intervention. Capability to assess and manage crisis situations effectively, including implementing appropriate interventions to ensure client safety and stability during acute episodes.
• Cultural Competence. Awareness of and sensitivity to cultural diversity, including understanding the impact of cultural factors on clients’ beliefs, values, and behaviors, and adapting therapeutic approaches accordingly.
• Effective Communication. Skill in conveying information clearly and accurately, both verbally and in writing, and fostering open and collaborative communication with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Empathy and Active Listening. Ability to empathize with clients' experiences, demonstrate active listening skills, and convey genuine understanding and acceptance in therapeutic interactions.
• Ethical Standards. Adherence to ethical principles and professional standards of practice, including maintaining client confidentiality, upholding client autonomy, and practicing within the scope of one's competence.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration. Capacity to work collaboratively with other members of the treatment team, such as case managers, psychiatrists, medical professionals, and counselors, to coordinate care and ensure holistic treatment approaches.
• Therapeutic Interventions. Ability to deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, etc. tailored to address clients’ mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
• Bilingual preferred.

Background Check and Other Requirements

• Capable of obtaining and maintaining a satisfactory background check. Applicants must not be on parole or probation due to funding regulations. Qualified candidates with a criminal record will be considered for employment.
• Capable of meeting health screening and tuberculosis testing requirements.
• Capable of maintaining credential requirements.
• Capable of meeting program and SAPC requirements.

1. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

In an 8-hr workday, employee is required to perform work:

Sitting

4

Hrs

Standing

2

Hrs

Walking

2

Hrs

Driving

Rarely

In an average month, employee must travel out of town:

☐ Often (>2x)

☒ Sometimes (<2x)

☐ Never

In an 8-hr workday, employee must:

Not at all

Occasionally

(1/4-2½ hrs.)

Frequently

(2½-5½ hrs.)

Continuously

(5½-8 hrs.)

Bend/stoop

☐

☒

☐

☐

Climb

☒

☐

☐

☐

Reach above shoulder level

☐

☒

☐

☐

Kneel

☐

☒

☐

☐

Balance

☐

☒

☐

☐

Push/pull

☐

☒

☐

☐

Squat

☐

☒

☐

☐

Crawl

☐

☒

☐

☐

Crouch

☐

☒

☐

☐

Lift*

☐

☒

☐

☐

Carry**

☐

☒

☐

☐

*     Usual number

       Maximum number

5

20

lbs

lbs

**   Usual number

       Maximum number

5

20

lbs

lbs

Job requires:

Working at heights

☐ Yes

☒ No

Explain

Operating heavy machinery

☐ Yes

☒ No

Type

Operating desk machines

☒ Yes

☐ No

Type

Computer, fax, printer, phone

Precise manual dexterity

☒ Yes

☐ No

Explain

Ability to precisely and accurately transmit written data, input data

Exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity

☐ Yes

☒ No

Explain

Exposure to dust, fumes, gases, chemicals

☐ Yes

☒ No

Explain