Clinical Outreach Specialist for Homeless and Mental Health Services ASW AMFT APCC

About the position

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.

Responsibilities

• Develops a Recovery Plan and/or Personal Service Plan with each member that identifies his/her personal needs and goals
• Co-signs on members service plans developed by other staff, provide psychiatric evaluation and assessments for program participants
• Mediates and advocates on behalf of the member to help him/her obtain and keep housing, health care benefits, entitlements, etc.
• Visits members in their place of residence, hospital or jail on an as-needed basis, in order to help them live successfully and to prevent them from becoming homeless
• Transports members to appointments and on errands when appropriate
• Oversees and monitors members' individual and group activities both inside the program and out in the community
• Provides coaching, counseling, mentoring, instruction, training, feedback and positive reinforcement for members in areas such as money management, grooming and hygiene, meal preparation, public transportation and independent living skills
• Devises and implements strategies for outreach to members who tend to isolate themselves
• Knowledgeable and practices in motivational interviewing and harm reduction
• Supports individuals and team goals in community integration and employment. Works with Community Integration. Assists members in achieving community integration and employment goals
• Participates in staff and community meetings and in the day-to-day operations of the program as needed
• Maintain a billing average of five hours per day into the Electronic Health Record
• Maintains all records and documentation needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Social Work with ASW, or Master's Degree in Psychology with Marriage and Family Therapy Emphasis with AMFT registration number, or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) and a minimum of 2 years' experience providing direct service in programs serving mentally ill adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, or similar populations.
• Must have a LPS designation or be qualified in a timely manner by the LA County Department of Mental Health to write involuntary holds per section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources.
• Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
• Valid CPR certificate preferred.
• Knowledgeable in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• 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.
• Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends, and on call cell phone services when necessary.
• TB clearance and annual re-testing are conditions of employment.

Benefits

• Hybrid work schedule
• Clinical supervision hours
• MHALA covering cost of important trainings and seminars, such as the 3-day DMH sponsored Dialectical Behavior Therapy training
• Paid time off to attend those trainings, and also the days leading up to LCSW/LMFT/LPCC licensure exam