BIPOC Mental Health Therapist

Job Summary:

The BIPOC Mental Health Therapist position is responsible for providing a wide array of culturally sensitive, recovery oriented, trauma sensitive, direct clinical services including assessment, counseling, supportive contacts and referrals serving individuals who are struggling with mental health, substance use and co-occurring issues. The BIPOC Mental Health Therapist may provide individual and group therapy while working in a multidisciplinary team approach.

The BIPOC Mental Health Therapist would be primarily positioned within the Ujima program though would also serve adult clients through the adult outpatient services program. The Ujima Program provides culturally grounded behavioral health services for individuals and families in Madison and Dane County that identify as Black, indigenous, or persons of color. In addition to this program affiliation, this position would also operate a minimum of four hours per week at Journey’s remote clinic within the YWCA program at 101 E. Mifflin St. in Madison.

The BIPOC Mental Health Therapist reports directly to the assigned supervisor with overall program supervision provided by Director of Clinic Based Programs. Minimum annual service hours are 1352.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Journey Mental Health Center upholds a strong commitment to People, Opportunities, Community, and Access (POCA) that guides our daily operations. We foster a caring community for all individuals to feel a sense of belonging. We prioritize delivering services that are centered around ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all. We are dedicated to demonstrating courage and initiative within our agency and community to actively dismantle structural oppression for all affected communities.

Duties/Responsibilities:

A. Provision of Clinical Services (high responsibility, 80% effort)

• Performs accurate assessments to evaluate and diagnose mental health and/or cooccurring issues in a culturally sensitive, recovery oriented, trauma sensitive manner by providing assessments within the context of the consumer’s perspectives and beliefs.
• Provides a range of clinical services including level of care assessment, service coordination, therapy/counseling, support and referrals in a context that is supportive of the consumer’s culture, values and perspectives.
• Completes accurate clinical records including intakes, assessments, treatment plans and updates, progress notes, discharge summaries and other information in a timely manner.
• Works collaboratively with other community agencies to develop and maintain a continuum of care and maintain efficient use of community services.
• Provides consultation and support related to areas of specialization.
• Attends Team Meetings and presents consumer cultural and clinical information.
• Maintains minimum direct and case management service hour expectations.
• Works collaboratively with team members and takes a leadership role in service planning.

B. Program and JMHC Participation (high responsibility, 10% effort)

• Attends staff meetings, in-services and other program activities as requested.
• Participates in JMHC committees, trainings and activities as directed and/or approved.
• Provides consultation to other JMHC programs as necessary.

Education and Experience:

Education/Licensure

ESSENTIAL

• Master’s Degree in a related behavioral health field, accruing 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.
• Minimum licensure requirement: APSW, LPC-IT, or LMFT-IT, or ability to obtain the in-training licensure within 6 months of hire.

PREFERRED

• Licensure as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Training, Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor or Substance Abuse Counselor.

Experience

ESSENTIAL

• Lived experience within the Black Community
• 1 year of experience in related behavioral health field.
• Knowledge or experience related to substance use disorder treatment.
• Knowledge or experience related to working with consumers living with immunodeficiencies.
• Commitment to work toward improving cultural sensitivity.
• Strong commitment to principles of recovery and to facilitating consumer participation in treatment/service planning and provision.
• Knowledge and/or experience with the use of evidence based practices for treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
• Experience in community-based mental health and co-occurring assessments, case management, treatment planning and crisis resolution.
• Ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing).
• Ability to work effectively with an interdisciplinary team with a positive and creative attitude.
• Ability to work independently and remain organized and efficient.
• Superior ethics and interpersonal boundaries as evidenced by past experience in community based work with related professional references.

PREFERRED

• Bi-lingual, and/or bi-cultural (Spanish/Hmong/Cambodian).
• Fluent in American Sign Language.

Physical Requirements

• Requires sitting, standing, light lifting, bending, and reaching; and the ability to use and operate standard office equipment, including computer, calculator, phone, printer, cell phone, facsimile, etc.

Working Conditions

• May require evening or weekend hours depending on program and consumer’s needs.

Hiring Process:

• All potential candidates will need to successfully pass the Background Information Disclosure (BID) for entity employees and contractors. Wisconsin’s Caregivers Law requires background, and criminal checks are required by the Department of Health Services and Wis. Stat. 50.065(6)(c) and Wis. Admin Code § DHS 12.05(4)

Journey Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.