Mental Health Therapist Advanced - School Based

YMCA of San Diego County•San Diego, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Therapist Advanced provides direct therapeutic services, including assessments, individual, family, group, and crisis counseling, to current and former participants. The role is for a registered pre-licensed clinician who has accumulated at least 1,500 clinical hours toward licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). The therapist also assists with program development and operation while supporting program eligibility and outcomes. Services are delivered using a human-centered, trauma-informed, engaging, and culturally responsive approach that recognizes the diverse needs of participants. The position serves YMCA Youth and Family Services programs, including TIDES, a Medi-Cal-funded school-based mental health program for youth ages 5–21 who are Medi-Cal eligible, uninsured, or underinsured, and Healthy Start Building Bridges, which provides free school-based counseling, case management, and parent education. Work takes place at contracted school sites, the North Park office, and in the community. The schedule is generally 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; depending on business needs, one day per week may require a later shift into early evening hours. The position is in person at Central San Diego school sites and the North Park office, though the work designation may change based on business needs.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work (ASW), or Professional Clinical Counselor.
Registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a pre-licensed clinician.
Documented accumulation of 1,500 clinical and client-contact hours after BBS registration.
Basic computer knowledge and skills.
Must be self-aware, flexible, adaptable, and teachable.
Experience working with adolescents and families.
Ability to multitask and maintain good organizational skills.
Ability to work as part of a team and with a culturally diverse community.
Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.
Ability to observe participant activities, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate policies and procedures.
Ability to lead and interact in group activities and perform related physical skills.
Ability to sit and input information on a computer for extended periods.
Ability to work effectively with others in alignment with YMCA 4 Core Values and model those values in the position’s responsibilities.
Access to reliable transportation for regular travel throughout San Diego County.
Fingerprinting before reporting to work, with subsequent arrest notifications, as required for critical positions.
CPR/AED and First Aid certification covering adults and children/infants within 30 days of hire, from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute.
May need to meet additional program, licensing, state-law, or funding clearances, including a negative TB assessment or test obtained within 60 days before starting and every four years thereafter, and exclusion and debarment checks before the first day and monthly thereafter.

Nice To Haves

California license-eligible clinician with two years of post-master’s degree experience.
Experience working with children and families in a mental health setting.

Responsibilities

Provide individual, family, and crisis counseling to participants and facilitate groups for current and former participants.
Conduct clinical assessments and evaluations; develop service plans; provide case management, crisis intervention, collateral services, and other services as needed.
Educate service staff on mental health topics and facilitate treatment planning and case management goals.
Provide participants with information and referrals for other transitional program services, mental health services, medication management, and substance abuse services.
Work independently and as part of a team to develop innovative ways to meet contract goals and provide engaging, high-quality services that meet participants’ needs.
Complete counseling intakes and psychosocial assessments for participants.
Maintain case records, data-collection records, and other confidential materials; maintain collateral contact with outside therapy providers as needed; and collect pre- and post-program data on participant satisfaction and progress.
Foster reflective environments that treat mistakes as lessons and support adapting programs and approaches; contribute a collaborative, intentional day-to-day presence and support collaborative results and a rest-driven culture.
Apply creative problem-solving and adapt to different personalities, work styles, and a growing, changing organization.
Collaborate with outside agencies, institutions, and community-based services to ensure continuity of care.
Perform administrative tasks as assigned and assist with proper document storage and auditing.
Attend required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees.
Travel regularly throughout San Diego County.