Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley has served San Mateo and Santa Clara counties since 1948. Through a range of health and human services, we strive to build strong, safe, and self-sufficient individuals, families, and communities. Annually, more than 8,000 children, youth, and adults are supported through counseling, family violence and abuse prevention, substance abuse, financial education, and other supportive services.

Summary The position of Mental Health Therapist is under the supervision of the Medi-Cal Mental Health Program Director, with the requirement that 50%, at minimum, of time is Medi-Cal billable or direct service to clients. This position must be available to respond to Mental Health clinic intakes as needed, including individual and family therapy with children and their families, and individual therapy with adults with serious mental disorders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Provide direct service to adults, children, and families using Wellness and Recovery model of care per the Santa Clara County Mental Health Department system of care. Most clients have dual diagnoses, both mental health and substance abuse disorders.
• Primary role is to complete assessments and treatment plans, determine ongoing treatment in collaboration with case managers (as appropriate) and providing individual, family and group therapy in accordance with the developed TCP treatment plan
• Provide assessment, crisis intervention, and diagnosis. Use engagement skills to develop narrative summaries and treatment plans using Transformational Care Planning model for all clients assigned to caseload.
• Identify changing needs of clients and assist clients to transition appropriately to higher or lower level of care.
• Discuss progress toward treatment goals with client and family.
• Consults with medical doctor or other specialists concerning treatment plan and amends plan as directed.
• Refers client to supportive services to supplement treatment.
• Collaborate with Case managers, as appropriate, using a team approach to determine ongoing care and meeting clients of goals.
• Case management to link clients and families to community resources.
• Comply thoroughly with County Mental Health contract documentation and auditing standards and requirements in a timely manner.
• Participate in group and individual supervision.
• Due to client needs, this position requires working during evening and potentially weekend hours.
• If licensed On-Call by pager will be required

Supervisory Responsibilities – This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competencies: To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
• Client Service — Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to client needs; Solicits client feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal skills — focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Project Management – Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress.
• Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service ; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills – Maintains confidentiality.
• Written Communication – Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Gives and welcomes feedback.
• Managing People – Makes self available to staff.
• Quality Management – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Ethics – Works with integrity and ethically.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks.
• Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Quantity – Completes work in timely manner.
• Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines.
• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction.
• Initiative – Asks for and offers help when needed.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Education and/or Experience — Master’s degree in Marriage Family Therapy, Social Work, or Clinical Psychology. MFT, MFTi, ASW, or equivalent
• Language skills — Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and clinical documents. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients and other professionals.
• Computer Skills — To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software and standard office software as well as the ability to develop competency in specialized clinical software as needed.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations — Certificates of training optional
• Bilingual preferred
• Lived in community, educational and/or professional experience with diverse LGBTQ culture and issues preferred
• Other Skills and Abilities
o Thorough clinical knowledge and experience in providing mental health services to children, adults, and families.
o Thorough understanding and experience in the delivery of services to an ethnically and economically diverse population.
o Medi-Cal Mental Health experience in Santa Clara County preferred.

Physical Demands
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to :
• Communicate with clients and co-workers to exchange accurate information.
• Frequently required to remain in a stationary position for most of the work day.
• Move about the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office machinery, such as copy machine, printer, fax.
• Must be able to review client charts for accuracy and information.
• Constantly changing body position during play therapy sessions.
• Constantly going to different locations in order to manage clients needs.
• Occasionally required to move equipment weighing about 15 pounds during play therapy sessions or moving files.
• Occasionally works outdoors and will move to different locations.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time based on business need. This job description is subject to change at any time.