Mental Health Therapist

Position: Mental Health Therapist
Program: Behavioral Health Care Services
Supervisor: Division Director
Schedule: Year-Round, *Position requires some evenings
Hours: 16-20
Classification: Non-Exempt/Hourly
Starting Rate:DOE

The Therapist position would be a great fit for a clinician collecting hours towards licensure and interested in gaining/continuing their experience working with infants, toddlers, children, youth, and families within a community mental health agency as well as in the community by providing therapy and case management services, providing outreach, and utilizing skills that require one to be detail-oriented.

ALAMEDA FAMILY SERVICES

Alameda Family Services (AFS) is a non-profit agency that provides comprehensive supportive services to children, youth, and families in the City and County of Alameda through several programs: Early Head Start, Head Start, Family Support Services, School-Linked Services, and Behavioral Health Care Services.  The services include groups, developmental screening, home visits and mental health services for new parents and their infants; counseling for youth and their families; parent education classes: early childhood development and family services; coed anger management groups; groups for men involved in domestic violence; sliding scale fee counseling; school based mental health programs; crisis intervention, case management and other support services; and a training program for graduate/post graduate psychology, MFT and social work students.

THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROGRAM

Behavioral Health Care Services encompasses the Clinical Training Program and clinical/counseling staff. Members of the program provide therapeutic services at the Clement office, as well as off-site locations: Alameda Point Collaborative, Head Start, and schools.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Division Director for Behavioral Health Care Services, the Therapist is responsible for using a relationship-based model to provide parent-infant and mental health services to families with children birth to seven throughout Alameda County.  The Therapist will conduct observations and therapy in the child’s home, preschool, or at the AFS offices. An emphasis is placed on a trauma-informed approach to treatment that is culturally-sensitive and strengths-based.

JOB DUTIES:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  1. Provide long-term and short-term dyadic therapy with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their primary caregivers.
  2. Observe and assess children in their natural environments.
  3. Provide consultation to child care providers.
  4. Provide case management.
  5. Provide crisis intervention support as needed.

Additional responsibilities:

  1. Complete phone and in-person intakes.
  2. Maintain client files in a manner consistent with paperwork expectations.
  3. Ensure timely completion of notes, billing, reports, and tracking of services.
  4. Monitor outcome measurements of treatment.
  5. Maintain knowledge and facilitate relationships with local agencies and resources.
  6. Participate in outreach events to gain knowledge about local resources and to increase awareness about services available through AFS.
  7. Provide presentations and trainings at AFS or in the community as assigned.
  8. Coordinate referrals and linkage for AFS counseling and case management services.
  9. Work collaboratively with other clinical staff and clinical supervisors.
  10. Attend weekly individual and group supervision meetings if unlicensed.
  11. Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and trainings.
  12. Attend community-based meetings as assigned. Present and share pertinent information with the Division Director and the team.
  13. Compile program reports and tracking of services as needed.
  14. Other duties as assigned by Program Director.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  1. Master’s Degree in Social Work, Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, or Ph.D./Psy.D. in Counseling or Psychology.
  2. License-Eligible or Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, or Licensed Psychologist in the State of California.
  3. Experience or training in early childhood mental health.
  4. Experience providing family therapy.
  5. Experience providing brief therapy.
  6. Experience working in an outpatient community mental health setting, schools, and in the community.
  7. Knowledge of, experience, and interest in approaches that are trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and strengths-based.
  8. Experience working with ethnically and socio-economically diverse children and families.
  9. Experience and knowledge of Medi-Cal documentation and billing.
  10. Knowledge of and/or experience in working with multiple systems of care.
  11. Ability to organize, analyze, and report on data-driven information.
  12. Ability to communicate (verbal and written) in a clear and concise professional manner.
  13. Ability to maintain client paperwork and charting in line with the expectations of funding sources.
  14. Ability to establish and maintain relationships with multiple providers and systems of care.
  15. Ability and desire to work as part of a team in a culturally diverse environment.
  16. Experience with and understanding of systems approach to both therapy and community outreach.
  17. Flexibility, diplomacy, ability to negotiate to positive outcomes.
  18. Multi-language capacity desired.

PHYSICAL JOB DESCRIPTION:

  1. Primary responsibilities are performed in an office setting in a seated position.
  2. Ability to use desktop computer and telephone on a frequent basis. 
  3. Lifting of books and other documents weighing up to 20 pounds may be encountered in performing essential functions.
  4. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.
  5. Position requires occasional evenings and weekends.
  6. Must have a current driver’s license and a car.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

  1. A background check and clearance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) background prior to employment is required.
  2. A Health Screening Report completed by a physician and current TB Test Results are required prior to employment.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Alameda Family Services does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

If interested, please send cover letter and resume to: hr@alamedafs.org