For nearly 50 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) has provided affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to all San Diegans. With more than 1,800 employees spread throughout 40 sites around the county, FHCSD is proud of the diversity of its staff as a reflection of the communities it serves.

The reward of working at FHCSD is more than a paycheck and excellent benefits; it is the impact and contribution to the San Diego community that employees value most. If you are passionate about improving the overall health and livelihood of your community, FHCSD is looking for people like you.

Job Profile Summary

Under supervision of the assigned Site Coordinator/Site Manager, the Mental Health Therapy Intern provides mental health assessment and counseling services to a diverse patient population, while gaining the hours and experience necessary to be eligible for a clinical license. The Mental Health Therapy Intern may be working towards clinical licensure as a Marriage Family Therapist or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Job Description

General Job Description

Under supervision of the assigned Site Coordinator/Site Manager, the Marriage Family Therapist Intern provides mental health assessment and counseling services to a diverse patient population, while gaining the hours and experience necessary to be eligible for a clinical license. As a Marriage Family Therapist Intern, you have a passion for providing caring, high quality therapy services to a diverse patient population, with a special commitment to the uninsured, low income, and the medically underserved. You thrive on the challenge of working in a fast-paced, team-based environment, knowing you are making a difference in your community every day.

Job Roles

*Completes all required documentation accurately, in a timely manner, and thoroughly in accordance with department standards; in addition, documentation complies with patients’ insurance requirements.

*Performs initial and on-going assessments for assigned patients. Participates in development of patients’ individualized care plans, in a timely and thorough manner.

*Performs other duties as assigned.

*Provides treatment to assigned patients within scope of practice, meeting program/department productivity and quality standards. Proactively utilizes clinical supervision and/or peer consultation. Demonstrates awareness of transference and counter-transference issues and addresses them as they arise. Addresses co-occurring disorders, factoring them into patient’s treatment plan. Demonstrates clinical skills and judgment necessary to implement the treatment plan.

*Works effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team. Communicates with providers, physicians, case managers, scheduling staff, referring providers, and with outside agencies and authorities, in a timely and appropriate manner. Connects patients to internal/external resources as appropriate; accurately documents referrals.

Education/Certifications/Licenses/Registrations

*Ability and means to travel as needed in a timely manner within San Diego County. DRIVER REQUIREMENTS: Requires an active Class C California driver’s license, proof of liability insurance at $100,000, on vehicle used. No more than 2 points in past 12 months; No suspensions in last 2 years for moving violations; No DUI, reckless or felony Driving within 5 years. No license revocation in 7 years.

*Current California license as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist or as an Associate Clinical Social Worker actively working towards a California license as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

*Experience in providing counseling services to varying population groups; expertise in partner violence treatment preferred; comfort in school-based or other non-traditional settings preferred.

*Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field.

Experience/Specialized skills (including Language)

*Ability to maintain good interpersonal interactions with clients and co-workers as a member of a multi-disciplinary community health team with a diverse multi-cultural population.

*Ability to provide support, structure, empathy, sound judgment, and insight into human behavior and family relations.

*Ability to work well in both a team-based environment and independently.

*Basic computer literacy ability to comply with department needs and expectations (i.e., electronic medical record documentation, obtaining background information and reports on patients, following up on appts, etc.).

*Bilingual in Spanish/English or other language may be required depending on assignment.

*Clinical skills appropriate to scope of practice and clinical judgment necessary to implement the treatment plan.

*Demonstrated ability to be culturally sensitive and respect diversity.

*Good written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with patients and family members who speak English as a second language.

*Knowledge of behavior modification theories.

*Knowledge of current counseling theories and best practices, and ability to translate best practices into meaningful, culturally appropriate resources.