Job Abstract

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.

MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County. The agency supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services. MHALA achieves impact in the areas of mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth.

MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues.

MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members. Communication, collaboration, transparency and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture. Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care and can enjoy a 35-hour workweek.

MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization. The agency promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth. We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program, and generous paid time off.

There are many benefits of being an ASW, AMFT, or APCC with MHALA such as:

• Hybrid work schedule
• Clinical supervision hours
• MHALA covering cost of important trainings and seminars, such as the 3-day DMH sponsored Dialectical Behavior Therapy training
• Paid time off to attend those trainings, and also the days leading up to LCSW/LMFT/LPCC licensure exam
• Performance Pay bonus program with the potential to earn an additional $1,600 per month

Personal Service Coordinator / ASW, MFT, or APCC

35 hours per week, $29.50 - $33.00 per hour

(The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.)

Summary: Under the general supervision of the program manager, the clinical PSC provides psychotherapy, assessments, crisis intervention, group therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation services working within a multidisciplinary team serving individuals with mental health diagnoses who are living in project-based sites and scatter sites. Provide license-dependent mental and/or physical health services to members as needed and required. Perform assessments and approves other documentation as required by funding sources based on the psychosocial rehabilitation model of treatment and services. This position is primarily field-based, meeting members at their homes and project-based sites.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agencys operations. MHA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider. The Agency will consider individuals with a criminal history.

• Provides short-term individual and group therapy to enrolled members on their caseload and within the team, collaborating with their assigned case managers/PSC to support recovery goals and overall wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively within the team to provide clinical guidance, such as identifying member needs as necessary and initiate communication within the integrated team to provide the resources to meet those needs.
• Works closely with team and Clinical Supervisor to continually monitor progress and barriers in therapy and develop plans for care.
• Support in managing, de-escalating, and assessing potential crisis situations with members and assessing safety and need for 5150 or supporting in de-escalation.
• Perform intakes, initial assessments, and other assessments as Department of Mental Health (DMH) contract requires or other program requirements, as needed
• Develop and update treatment plans that include clinical assessments and/or addendums for each member as well as identifying his/her personal recovery goals and needs
• Provide outreach and engagement services for HSSP referrals and assessing eligibility for services in project-based and scatter site housing locations (located throughout the county but primarily in Long Beach and Los Angeles).
• Collaborate closely with internal and external teams and ICMS, property management, and other sources as needed to support our members in reducing mental health barriers.
• Participate in staff and community meetings and in the day-to-day operations of the program as needed, supporting in leading as a clinician and providing clinical feedback
• Provide coaching, counseling, mentoring, instruction, training, feedback and positive reinforcement for members in areas such as grooming and hygiene, coping skills, public transportation and other independent living skills under principles of psychosocial rehabilitation model for treatment and services.
• May occasionally assist as part of the team, individuals in locating and obtaining requested services, including maintaining housing, food, health care, substance abuse treatment, benefits and entitlements, etc.
• Supporting in completion of clinical reports, letters, documentation, IHSS applications, SSI, DPSS forms and applications to support, mediate and advocate on behalf of individuals in maintaining entitled benefits.
• Knowledgeable of the harm reduction philosophy and effective in the practice of motivational interviewing
• Interact with members in the community, such as at their residence, hospitals, at appointments, etc., in order to engage them in services and to help them live successfully in the community
• Assist and support program documentation standards of staff in accordance with MHALA, LACDMH County Contracted Provider standards and funding source requirements, and documents in Electronic Health record (EHR), including 24 hour turnaround documentation requirement. Maintain a billing average of 4.25 hours per day into the CareLogic System for 85 hours per month.
• Independently or in collaboration with Quality Assurance (QA) staff complete and maintain all records and documentation needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHA standards and funding source requirements
• Provide clinical guidance for multi-disciplinary team and supervision of interns and providing formal and informal trainings on clinical issues as needed.

Position Requirements:

• Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) or Masters in Counseling (MA/MS) AND valid registration with California Board of Behavioral Sciences as ASW/AMFT/APCC required
• Clinical experience in mental health, homeless, hoarding, substance misuse, disabled, and/or underserved populations highly preferred
• Sensitive to the challenges members might be experiencing with a range of medical and behavioral health issues face as they move into and maintain permanent supportive housing.
• Familiarity with community resources, alternative support sources, housing and voucher systems within Los Angeles County
• Willingness to become LPS designated to write 5150 holds for members when needed within 6 months of employment.
• Willingness to participate in on call-rotation for FSP and HSSP enrolled members which includes weekend and holidays in a rotating shift assignment and weekly team LPS assignments. LPS designated individuals participate in a separate, longer one or two week rotation.
• Participate in program designed to attain supervised hours and be willing to pursue Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
• Driving with current class C drivers license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA liability insurance are conditions of employment
• Must be able to maintain an empathetic view for the dilemma of individuals in severe need and be able to juggle creatively and successfully around a variety of barriers that keep individuals from successful personal and community living
• Knowledge of community resources, housing, social security and general relief systems and ability to navigate within these systems
• Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services and fast-paced, proactive communication and collaborative environment
• Knowledgeable in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and mobile devices (iOS).
• Valid CPR certificate preferred
• Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends, and participation in after-hours on-call rotation
• TB clearance and yearly re-testing is a condition of employment
• COVID vaccination is required for this position. Accommodations will be considered upon proof of a legal exemption.