BASIC PURPOSE:

Under clinical supervision of a licensed clinician, conducts behavioral health assessments and provides non-medical psycho-therapeutic and case management services to assigned individuals and groups. This is entry level position leading to work as a licensed clinician; incumbents must work within the scope of either a Marriage, Family and Therapist Intern or an Associate Clinical Social Worker under licensed clinical supervision; incumbents are assigned a full range of therapeutic support duties for assigned clients; Reports to a Program Manager or Program Director for program supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Performs intensive clinical services with children and adult clients and their relatives through individual and group therapy; participates in the intake process, the evaluation of problems presented, and the development of treatment plans.
• Will perform clinical activities that may include the following: Assessing for functional impairment, diagnosing mental health disorders, developing needs and service plan, treatments plans, transition and discharge plans.
• Gathers data of client’s history through personal interviews with client, parents, caregivers, relatives, friends, teachers and employers; prepares case histories with particular emphasis on psycho-social factors affecting the client; cooperates with other staff members and community agencies in carrying out a treatment plan.
• Provides ongoing psycho-social clinical assessment, treatment planning and psycho-therapeutic treatment of all clients assigned, under the supervision of the licensed clinician, in homes, agency offices and in the field.
• Documents clinical files and billing records for all client contacts, including consultations with other agencies in accordance with YFC agency policy and procedure.
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings to review client caseload, treatment, concerns, and recommendations; prepares and presents progress reports.
• Provides individual, family and group therapeutic services to reduce functional impairment; facilitates group therapy sessions; assists client to learn skills required to successfully engender psychological stability and personal independence.
• Maintains professionalism in line with Youth For Change policies & procedures.
• Supports and enhances the client’s’ emotional stability; explains nature of diagnosis, plan of care, procedures and treatments to clients, family and significant others; provides advocacy as needed.
• Maintains cooperative professional relationships with local community agencies significant to the continuum of care for clients.
• Maintains expertise in field of service through participation in applicable educational opportunities.
• Adheres to the standards of the Privacy Act of 1974, {U.S.C. § 552A} as amended; maintains and enforces all aspects of confidentiality of client information.
• Supports the relationship between the Agency and the constituent population by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, visitors, and other employees.
• Completes all documentation in accordance to YFC policy and procedures.
• Must attend orientation and other training as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

• A Master’s Degree from an accredited two year graduate school or program in social work, psychology or a related field; prefer prior clinical experience as a paraprofessional or an intern.
• Must possess a registration or intern number for as an Associate Clinical Social Worker or a Marriage, Family Therapist Intern, in the State of California as established by the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners. Enrollment in a Ph.D. or Psy.D program in clinical psychology from an accredited college or university may be substituted for an intern number. Incumbents must obtain registration with the California Board of Psychology within one (1) year of appointment to this position. An Ed.D and five (5) years of experience and on licensure track as a Psychologist may be substituted for the Ph.D or the Psy.D.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of County, state and Federal laws, statutes, rules, ordinances, codes and regulations.
• Knowledge of the Agency’s policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of protocols and practices in behavioral healthcare, and principles of psycho-therapeutic techniques and procedures, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV).
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct.
• Knowledge of the principles of file systems, case files and records management.
• Skill in assessing and evaluating behavioral health problems, and making recommendations based on observations and interviews.
• Skill in understanding, interpreting and applying relevant statutes, ordinances, codes and regulations.
• Skill in assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Skill in working within deadlines to complete projects and assignments.
• Skill in interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Skill in assessing, analyzing, identifying issues, and recommending solutions to problems.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers, other Agency employees and representatives from other city, county, state and Federal agencies.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.

BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS:

• Fingerprint clearances through the Department of Justice, F.B.I. and the Child Abuse Index.
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Verification of education, license and past employment will be conducted pre-hire.
• Drivers must have a valid driver’s license of the State they reside in.
• Drivers should have at least two years driving experience and be at least 18 years old.
• CPR and First Aid certification required within seven days of employment depending on job classification requirements.
• Pass physical examination and a TB test upon conditional offer of employment.

To complete an Employment Application with Youth For Change, please go to our website at: http://www.youth4change.org/?page=employment.

Youth For Change is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-time