Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

San Ysidro Health•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Under the direction of the Chief Behavioral Health Officer, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor performs psychological assessments and provides brief, evidence-based treatment using the primary care behavioral health model to adults, older adults, children, and their families in a primary care setting. The clinician works closely with primary care providers to develop and implement treatment plans, provides crisis intervention when needed, and ensures services are culturally appropriate and consistent with California laws and regulations, professional standards, agency guidelines, and ethical requirements. The position's location is determined upon interview; experience with children ages 5–12 is highly desired. The clinician evaluates, triages, and provides interventions for patients with physical health, mental health, and/or substance abuse diagnoses. They consult with providers and multidisciplinary staff, develop and review care plans with patients and primary care providers, maintain timely and accurate electronic medical records, and coordinate care with community resources. The role also includes participation in meetings, committees, quality assurance, peer review, policy development, and maintaining clinic productivity expectations. The counselor collaborates with behavioral health and primary care teams to support integrated, team-based care; may assist with supervision of interns or unlicensed staff as permitted by licensure; and coordinates coverage to maintain continuity of patient care. The role requires safeguarding patient privacy and complying with health center policies, quality and safety standards, and applicable confidentiality requirements. The position may require evening and weekend work, clinic leadership coverage, and meeting attendance.

Requirements

Successful completion of a terminal graduate training program in a psychotherapy-related field, such as a master's degree in counseling or equivalent program at an accredited university or college.
Current Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential issued by the State of California.
Sensitivity to multicultural concerns and the psychotherapeutic process.
Knowledge of integrated treatment and care for individuals with co-occurring disorders.
Ability to work in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner with minority and underserved communities and demonstrate respect for diversity.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
Ability to organize, set priorities, and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
Ability to exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy, and judgment when working with people with mental illness.
Compliance with pre-employment requirements, including I-9, physical, positive background and reference check results, completed application, new hire orientation, and pre-employment PPDs.
Compliance with mandated vaccinations and boosters as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children ages 5–12.
Experience with community mental health.
Bilingual ability in English and Spanish.
Knowledge of behavioral medicine, health psychology, and substance use interventions, including the IMPACT and/or SBIRT models.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, triage, and provide evidence-based brief psychological and behavioral health interventions to patients with physical health, mental health, and/or substance abuse diagnoses.
Consult with clinical staff and primary care providers regarding patient care, treatment recommendations, and progress.
Conduct brief assessments and develop negotiated care plans with patients and primary care providers.
Evaluate and revise care plans as needed, document changes in progress notes, and communicate with relevant multidisciplinary team members.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation in electronic medical records, complete required forms and reports, and produce evaluation or treatment reports as required.
Provide crisis interventions, including suicide assessments, recommendations to medical providers and patients, and determination of whether crisis response services are appropriate for patient safety.
Coordinate with behavioral health leadership to provide healthcare providers with information about mental illness, behavioral health services, and related topics.
Participate in case conferences, treatment team meetings, peer reviews, multidisciplinary team meetings, committees, and work groups.
Participate in departmental quality assurance, peer review, and development or revision of policies and procedures.
Meet productivity expectations in accordance with clinic and program guidelines.
Collaborate with providers to support fully integrated services and a team-based approach to care.
Establish and maintain relationships with community resources to support continuity of care.
Maintain effective working relationships with clients, family members, professional staff, and the public.
Comply with departmental and health center policies, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
Support professional development through educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
Assist with supervision of interns and/or unlicensed staff as requested and as permitted by licensure.
Coordinate planned and unplanned time-off coverage with other behavioral health providers to ensure continuity of patient care.
Protect patient privacy and confidentiality and comply with HIPAA Privacy and Security rules.
Provide leadership coverage at assigned SYHealth clinics as needed and attend meetings, including potentially evenings and weekends.