Juvenile Justice Program Therapist

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.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the MHS Clinical Supervisor, the Juvenile Justice Program (JJP) Therapist is responsible for providing mental health services to a caseload of youth involved in the juvenile justice system. In collaboration with the Department of Mental Health (DMH) team within the juvenile hall setting, the therapist delivers individual psychotherapy, crisis intervention and case management. The JJP Therapist is also responsible for completing all required documentation in compliance with agency policies and County regulations.

The JJP Therapist is also responsible for providing additional therapeutic services to support both department and agency operations. These may include, but are not limited to:

· Conducting MAT (Multidisciplinary Assessment Team) program assessments

· Performing mental health assessments

· Delivering on-going mental health services as needed

Essential Functions

· Provide consistent individual psychotherapy to youth in juvenile hall, including crisis intervention as needed.

· Complete and submit all clinical documentation and Case Record Reviews in compliance with agency and DMH regulations (including, but not limited to, assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes).

· Consistently meet agency service delivery and billing requirements.

· Participate in weekly individual supervision (and group supervision if required); consult with supervisors as needed for clinically significant situations (e.g., suicidal ideation, suspected child abuse, or other crises).

· Learn and implement Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) with fidelity to their models.

· Maintain responsibility for an assigned caseload of JJP youth under licensed supervision.

· Conduct initial and annual clinical assessments, including:

o Gathering comprehensive client history

o Conducting mental status examinations

o Providing diagnostic impressions

· Deliver case management services, including coordination of care, crisis intervention, referrals, and outreach, as needed.

· Participate as an active member of multidisciplinary treatment teams.

· Provide clinical input related to diagnosis and behavioral functioning; assist in the development and recommendation of treatment plans.

· Attend and contribute to case conferences as needed.

· Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with intra-agency staff, County departments, schools, referring agencies, physicians, and community-based organizations.

· Serve as a liaison and consultant to community partners, school personnel, parents, and other mental health providers to assess and address client and community needs.

· Coordinate access to emergency psychiatric support services.

· Serve as a client advocate within the juvenile justice and mental health systems.

· Demonstrate cultural responsiveness and sensitivity in all aspects of service delivery.

· Actively engage in quality improvement initiatives and agency projects.

Additional Duties:

The JJP Therapist may provide services to children, adolescents, or families outside of the juvenile hall setting and may participate in special projects or other duties as assigned by the MHS Clinical Supervisor or Director of Mental Health Services.

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 client’s 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

-Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology or Marriage and Family Therapy

-Post graduate clinical experience preferred

-Previous experience proving 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 Driver’s 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

Delegates Authority To

N/A

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of an MHS JJP Therapist, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk, drive and use his/her 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.

Work Environment

The work environment is indoors and outdoors. The noise level varies from quiet to moderate.

This Job Description has been developed to identify some of the duties and responsibilities of this position. It is not intended to limit or encompass all duties and responsibilities of the position.

Aviva Family and Children's Services at its sole and absolute discretion, expressly reserves the right to modify, supplement, delete or augment the duties and responsibilities specified in this and all job descriptions.

Salary : $72,750