Aviva Family and Children’s Services Mission Statement

Aviva believes every child and every family in our Los Angeles community deserves the chance for a brighter future. We provide compassionate support, therapeutic services, and guidance to at-risk children and families. We work to promote and support justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at all levels in the organization.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the MHS Clinical Supervisor, the MHS Therapist is responsible for a caseload of children and/or adolescents and their families. The MHS Therapist provides home-based psychotherapy to individuals and families utilizing select Evidence based Practices when required. They also provide crisis intervention, case management and Community Outreach Services (COS). The MHS Therapist is responsible for completing all required paperwork in accordance with agency and County regulations.

Essential Functions

• Consistently serve a caseload of children and/or adolescents with individual and family/collateral psychotherapy in home, school, juvenile hall, and community settings, with crisis intervention as needed.
• Complete and submit all documentation and Case Record Reviews in accordance with agency and DMH regulations (including but not limited to assessments, treatment plans and progress notes).
• Consistently meet agency billing productivity requirement.
• Meet weekly with individual supervisor (and attend group supervision if required), and consult as necessary when clinically indicated (e.g., potential Suspected Child Abuse Reports, suicidal clients, other crisis situations).
• Learn and implement Evidence-Based Practices and maintain fidelity to the models.
• Under licensed supervision, responsible for a caseload of children and/or adolescents and their families.
• Conduct initial and annual clinical assessments of clients including:
  • Obtaining client history
  • Completing client mental status exam
  • Provide opening diagnosis
• Provide group therapy as necessary
• Provide case management, coordination of services, crisis intervention, referrals and outreach services when needed
• Participate as a member of multidisciplinary treatment teams
• Provide critical clinical input related to client diagnosis, behavioral functioning
• Recommend treatment planning
• Participate in case conferences as needed
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with intra-agency staff, County staff, school personnel, referring agencies, physicians and community
• Consult with and serve as a liaison with community agencies, school personnel, parents and other mental health programs and services in order to evaluate community health needs and services
• Coordinate emergency psychiatric support services
• Serve as an advocate for clients
• Sensitive and responsive to the cultural differences among the agencys client population
• Actively participate in quality improvement projects

The MHS Therapist will take on special projects or additional duties as assigned by the MHS Clinical Supervisor or Director of Mental Health Services. This role will be based out of our Van Nuys or Lynwood location.

Qualifications

Competency Requirements

• Ability to speak, read, write, and understand English
• Ability to work effectively as a member of treatment teams
• Ability to accurately assess and diagnose clients mental status
• Must demonstrate ability to utilize the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
• Ability to promptly and thoroughly analyze and respond to a crisis situation
• Ability to accurately and completely complete required paperwork in accordance with agency and County regulations
• Knowledgeable of principles and practices of community mental health treatment, including interviewing, assessment, individual, family and group counseling
• Knowledge of general psychiatric emergency intervention protocols, diagnosis and brief and long term therapy methods
• Must demonstrate knowledge of principles of child, adolescent, and adult psychology
• Must demonstrate sound judgment and decision making skills
• Knowledgeable of the laws and regulations related to clients rights, best practices, voluntary or involuntary inpatient hospitalization
• Knowledge of community resources and agencies providing support services for the mentally ill or disabled.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must have excellent time management skills
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

Education and Experience

• Masters degree in Social Work, Psychology or Marriage and Family Therapy
• Post graduate clinical experience preferred
• Previous experience providing in home services preferred

Certifications/Licenses

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LCSW, LMFT or LPCC) by the Board of Behavioral Sciences preferred

OR

• Registered with BBS as an Associate Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
• Certification or training in select Evidence-based Practices preferred
• Valid CA Drivers license
• Valid automobile insurance

Additional Requirements

• Tuberculosis clearance
• Department of Justice/Fingerprint clearance
• Satisfactory completion of health screening
• Proof of legal eligibility to work in the United States
• Satisfactory driving record

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of an MHS Therapist, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk, drive, and use their fingers to manipulate a keyboard or writing instrument. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee is rarely required to run, bend, kneel, reach, or lift objects weighing more than 10 pounds.