Description
Position Title: Program Therapist

Program: Counseling and Treatment Center

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

Salary: $26.50-$28.50 per hour; Commensurate with Experience

Summary and Range of Authority: Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Program Therapist will promote psychosocial rehabilitation principles of wellness and recovery in all aspects of treatment. These services target primarily Asian and Pacific Islander adults ages 25 and older as well as Asian and Pacific Islander Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) ages 18-24.

CTC upholds the principle of psychosocial rehabilitation to assist those recovering from mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Services include mental health assessments, individual and group therapy, peer support groups, clinical cases management, psychiatric medication management, employment services and geriatric services via in-home visits.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage caseload of 80+ clients with a moderate to severe mental health diagnosis.
• Conduct initial and ongoing mental health screenings and behavioral health assessments
• Develop initial and ongoing client plans for treatment
• Provides individual, family, and group therapy to TAY (transitional aged youth), Adults and Older Adults
• Provides crisis intervention services including assessment for voluntary or involuntary hospitalizations, if indicated
• Provide triage and assessment of Walk-In clients, if needed
• Provides case management, family education/support and crisis intervention activities as needed
• Links clients in obtaining vocational, educational and/or housing objectives as needed
• Provides linkage with primary care physicians and psychiatrists, as needed
• Functions as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and participates in diagnosis, treatment and discharge planning
• Prepares medical records of all services rendered including care coordination with external providers and quality assurance activities
• Provide accurate and timely documentation of required reports as stipulated in program’s statement of work, etc.
• Conducts entry into the mHOMS system
• Receives referrals from providers and community members with appropriate follow-up, including crisis intervention if needed
• Contacts the Reporting Party (RP) for each client referral that is assigned to acknowledge the referral and obtain and information if available. The identity of the RP shall remain confidential
• Manages a caseload of approximately 80 severely mentally ill clients; caseload size will vary
• Services may be provided in the client’s home and other community locations, if appropriate
• Conducts community services and outreach activities
• Participates in staff meetings, case conferences, treatment team meetings, trainings, utilization reviews and other quality assurance activities
• Maintains tracking system of all clients and services provided
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Education, Certifications/Licenses and Language/Cultural Skills:

• Master’s Degree (or higher) in social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy or counseling from accredited college or university with major work in clinical therapy.
• Registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (ASW or IMF) or Board of Psychology.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English and an Asian language.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications Required:

• Clinical experience in mental health setting, with solid clinical skills in individual therapy, assessments, crisis intervention, and case management
• Knowledge of theory and practice of psychotherapy, as well as principles and practice of community mental health and substance use disorders
• Understanding of cultural competency in the delivery of mental health services
• Understanding of and commitment to the psychosocial rehabilitation model of psychiatric rehabilitation services, and a strong belief in empowering clients/consumers towards recovery
• Trained and experienced in diagnosing clients utilizing the DSM V and ICD 10
• Familiarity with community resources and the delivery of case management services
• Ability to establish and maintain diagnostic and psychotherapeutic relationships with clear understanding of ethical and professional standards
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize and successfully bring them to fruition
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to client information and other sensitive or proprietary information or materials
• Ability to prepare written reports and records of services rendered
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, with ability to communicate mental health principles to clients, families and providers
• Ability to work independently and also collaborate as a member of an interdisciplinary team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to prepare written reports accurately and records of services rendered in a timely fashion
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and able to manage a large caseload.
• Will not be debarred or excluded from participation in Federal programs by the General Services Administration and/or the Department of Health and Human Services of the Inspector General
• Must pass background check (Live Scan Fingerprint).
• Must be able to drive (when needed) for business purposes to other program locations in San Diego County. If employee drives his/her personal automobile for UPAC business, employee must have valid California driver’s license and comprehensive automobile insurance coverage, as required by law.
• COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster required, unless exempted as a reasonable accommodation as allowed by the law.

Additional Preferred Education or Qualifications:

• Bilingual in an Asian or Pacific Islander language preferred, not required.
• Previous work with Asian/Pacific Islander community in mental health or social services setting.
• Experience with working with interpreters in a healthcare setting.
• Experience using electronic health record utilized by the County.
• Experience with dual-diagnosis programs and/or behavioral health integration.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Spends approximately 70% of work time sitting and meeting with others or working at a desk and/or computer. Spends approximately 30% of work time standing or walking within the work area or outside the office at meetings and events, also bends, twists, stoops and reaches. Ability to communicate in writing and verbally. Regularly required to sit and talk or hear. Frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Working conditions are normal for an office environment and event venues. The noise level is usually moderate.