Clinical Therapist - Centralized Intake - Lancaster

Counseling and Research Associates, Inc.•Lancaster, CA

45d•$75,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Clinical Therapist - Centralized Intake provides timely, comprehensive, clinically sound, and client-centered behavioral health screening and assessment services for children, youth, adults, and families. The position conducts diagnostic assessments, evaluates risk and functional impairment, formulates diagnoses and case conceptualizations, determines medical necessity, and recommends the appropriate level of care and services.

Requirements

Master's degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, Psychology, or another related behavioral health field from an accredited institution.
Current California licensure as an LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, PhD, or PsyD; or current registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an ASW, AMFT, or APCC, as applicable.
Valid California Driver's License, proof of automobile insurance, good driving record.
Must meet applicable requirements to provide Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services within professional scope of practice.
Demonstrated knowledge of ongoing clinical assessment, DSM diagnostic criteria, case conceptualization, treatment planning, psychotherapy, risk assessment, crisis intervention, safety planning, mandated reporting, level-of-care determination, and care coordination.
Knowledge of or ability to learn LACDMH requirements, Medi-Cal documentation standards, Specialty Mental Health Services requirements, medical necessity standards, and behavioral health compliance requirements.
Knowledge of or ability to develop proficiency with LOCUS, IP-CANS, and other agency-designated assessment, level-of-care, and outcome measurement tools applicable to assigned populations and programs.
Demonstrated experience with trauma-informed care, strengths-based practice, family engagement, and culturally responsive services with children, youth, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Work experience in a behavioral health, community mental health, assessment, diagnostic, or comparable clinical setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Independently conducts timely, comprehensive, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive clinical screenings and diagnostic assessments.
Obtains and evaluates relevant behavioral health, developmental, psychosocial, family, medical, educational, substance-use, trauma, and systems information needed to understand clinical presentation, functioning, strengths, and service needs.
Applies current DSM diagnostic criteria and clinical theory to formulate supported diagnoses, differential diagnoses, and case conceptualizations.
Seeks clinical consultation when presentations are complex, unclear, or require supervisory review.
Evaluates clinical need, functional impairment, strengths, preferences, risk, and other relevant factors to determine medical necessity and recommend the appropriate type, intensity, frequency, and level of behavioral health service.
Ensures recommendations are individualized, clinically supported, and consistent with applicable program criteria.
Uses clinical judgment and agency- or LACDMH- designated assessment tools to support level-of-care decisions.
Makes clinically appropriate referrals and coordinates services when clients require additional, different, more intensive, or less intensive services.
Collaborates with internal and external providers to support continuity of care.
Maintains an active Los Angeles County LPS designation and exercises designated authority in accordance with applicable law, county requirements, agency policy, and scope of practice.
Assesses suicide risk, self-harm, danger to others, grave disability, abuse, neglect, exploitation, substance-related risk, and other urgent safety concerns.
Provides crisis assessment, intervention, and safety planning during scheduled work hours; consults promptly with the Clinical Supervisor; completes mandated reporting; and coordinates with crisis or emergency resources when necessary.
Demonstrates sound knowledge of Masada programs, behavioral health levels of care, community resources, and other available services.
Makes clinically appropriate internal and external service recommendations based on assessment findings, medical necessity, client needs, strengths, preferences, eligibility, and program criteria.
Communicates assessment findings, clinical recommendations, and required clinical information clearly and promptly to the receiving program or service.
Collaborates with the Clinical Supervisor, program staff, referral sources, clients, caregivers, and community partners to address barriers and support continuity of care and successful transition to recommended services.
Completes accurate, thorough, clinically appropriate, and timely documentation of screenings, assessments, diagnoses, risk evaluations, clinical formulations, recommendations, collateral contacts, referrals, and other required services.
Ensures documentation supports medical necessity and meets agency, LACDMH, Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services, payer, legal, and regulatory requirements.
Completes agency-required clinical assessment and clinical outcome measures accurately and within required timelines.
Meets productivity, scheduling, documentation, and performance expectations established for the position.
Completes assigned assessments, documentation, outcome measures, and related responsibilities within required timelines and promptly communicates barriers that may affect quality or timely service delivery.
Provides services in office, clinic, home, school, community, field-based, telehealth, or other approved settings according to clinical need and assigned program requirements.
Meets applicable field-based service expectations and travels independently to service locations as necessary.
Transports clients only when authorized and required by assigned program responsibilities and agency policy.
Establishes professional rapport with clients and caregivers and promotes meaningful participation throughout the assessment process.
Explains the purpose of assessment, obtains information respectfully and developmentally appropriately, identifies strengths, and incorporates client preferences, cultural considerations, and family voice into recommendations.
Demonstrates respect for the intrinsic value, individuality, identities, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures of clients, families, colleagues, and community partners.
Provides services using culturally responsive, trauma-informed, strengths-based, recovery-oriented, and client- and family-centered practices.
Demonstrates cultural humility and sensitivity to the impact of trauma, systemic involvement, social determinants, and environmental factors on behavioral health and treatment outcomes.
Collaborates effectively with Masada staff and departments, including Clinical Supervisors, Program Managers, psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, integrated care management, Quality Improvement, and other teams as appropriate.
Maintains professional relationships with county agencies, schools, healthcare providers, child welfare, probation, managed care organizations, community providers, and other involved systems.
Participates actively and punctually in individual and group supervision, case consultation, team meetings, case presentations, training, and other required clinical activities.
Appropriately utilizes the Clinical Supervisor for diagnostic questions, complex presentations, risk and safety concerns, mandated reporting, ethical issues, service recommendations, and other matters requiring supervisory review.
Demonstrates proficiency in the electronic health record and agency-approved clinical platforms, including Greenspace, Eleos, iDashboards, and designated assessment or outcome systems as applicable.
Accurately enters required clinical information and uses technology to support documentation quality, outcomes, communication, and service coordination.
Participates in quality improvement, quality assurance, documentation review, utilization review, peer review, audit, and corrective action activities as assigned.
Responds to feedback and completes required corrections within established timelines.
Performs all responsibilities within professional scope of practice and applicable ethical, legal, licensing, confidentiality, and regulatory standards.
Protects client rights, maintains professional boundaries, safeguards protected health information, and demonstrates ethical decision-making.
Demonstrates effective written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Communicates clinical findings, recommendations, safety concerns, service barriers, and follow-up needs clearly, professionally, and in a timely manner.
Completes required agency, clinical, regulatory, Evidence-Based Practice, outcome-measure, LPS, and program-specific training within established timeframes.
Maintains required professional registration or licensure, continuing education, certifications, LPS designation, and other training requirements applicable to the position.
Participates in ongoing professional development to strengthen clinical assessment, diagnostic, treatment, crisis-response, and level-of-care decision-making competencies.
Supports and maintains a safe, hazard-free workplace and complies with agency safety policies, OSHA requirements, established safety procedures, and applicable workplace health and safety regulations.
Promptly reports injuries, illnesses, hazards, unsafe conditions, or safety incidents.
Promotes client and staff safety by identifying and responding to behavioral health emergencies and seeking supervisory or emergency consultation when circumstances exceed the clinician's role or available resources.
Performs other duties consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the position as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Program Manager, Director, or executive leadership.