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

Mental Health America of Los Angeles • Lancaster, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) is a leading nonprofit mental health agency dedicated to helping individuals with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives. As one of the largest comprehensive mental health agencies in Los Angeles County, MHALA provides integrated services to over 19,000 low-income individuals annually, focusing on mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness. The agency also offers training programs for the behavioral health workforce and the community. MHALA prioritizes employee well-being with a culture of communication, collaboration, transparency, and work-life balance, including a 35-hour workweek, a competitive salary, and a full benefits package. The Clinical Outreach Specialist role is part of the E6 project, which coordinates outreach, engagement, and linkage/referral services for individuals experiencing homelessness in SPA 1. This position collaborates with the E6 Outreach Team to support individuals facing homelessness, potentially with serious mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and chronic physical health conditions, utilizing a psychosocial rehabilitation model.

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).
• 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.
• 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’s liability insurance are conditions of employment.
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment.
• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period.
• Staff might be required to visit members in encampments or on the streets.

Nice To Haves

• Valid CPR certificate preferred.

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.

Benefits

• Employee assistance program
• Generous paid time off
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level