For over 30 years, the Violence Intervention Program (VIP) has been the leader in building transformative programs that raise the standard of care for all victims of child abuse, neglect, and sexual assault in Los Angeles County. Today, VIP is a public-private partnership between the publicly funded VIP Children’s Medical Village at LA General Medical Center and our non-profit, the VIP Community Mental Health Center, Inc. (VIP-CMHC). Our history of quality mental health care is largely due to the dedicated and talented employees whose efforts have helped improve the lives of children, transitional-age youth, and their families.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The Alexis Project is a partnership between VIP Community Mental Health Center and LA General Medical Center and is an extension of VIP’s hallmark medical, mental health, and support programs focused on providing gender-affirming care. Transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals can find safety at the Alexis Project with specialized medical and mental health staff who understand their needs. We’re working to normalize health and mental health support for all LGBTQ+ patients—we hope to create a standard of care that will spark a national movement to improve access and services for all people without prejudice.
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the direction of the clinical supervisor, the clinical therapist is responsible for providing a wide variety of individual and family counseling and advocacy services to children, young adults, adults, and families according to their specific therapeutic needs. Specifically, this position will diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, and apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in delivering services to clients to treat such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders. The Clinical Therapist will work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the program supervisor, the Clinical Therapist for the Alexis Project program is responsible for the following:
- Provides direct clinical work and/or therapeutic services to clients using a team and community-based approach.
- Develops relationships with LGBTQ+ Community and identify resources/services for LGBTQ+ adults, youth and their families
- Provide client-centered, trauma-informed, and gender-affirming care
- Works collaboratively with members of multi-disciplinary teams and provides ongoing clinical consultation to medical staff, DCFS, and other staff
- Fills out and maintains client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
- Continually assesses the needs and symptoms of clients, formulating a diagnosis, gathering history, and determining the most appropriate method(s) of providing treatment.
- Accurately documents all work with clients as measured by QA standards.
- Participates in clinical/case supervision by coming prepared to discuss current caseload, documentation, and productivity; accepts constructive feedback and direction; and puts input into clinical and/or therapeutic practice with clients.
- Establishes and maintains rapport and effective working relationships with clients; works effectively within the Agency and community.
- Advocating and/or ensuring accompaniment for clients (court, medical, mediation, medication, and visitations) to guarantee satisfactory placement of a child in a safe, permanent, and stable home setting.
- Maintains knowledge of program standards and policies developed by Five Acres, COA, Community Care Licensing, and other governing bodies; develops personal and professional knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in in-service programs.
- Maintains confidentiality over all information regarding clients, families, and operations of the Agency and PHC partner (including media).
- Incorporates Agency philosophy and mission in all aspects of job performance.
- Maintains professional relationships with clients, staff, and other outside stakeholders at all times.
- Exercises good judgment in the performance of duties and responsibilities
- Submits timely documentation (progress notes, assessments, treatment plans, notes to chart) as the policy outlines.
- Performs related duties as required.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D/Psy.D/MSW/MFT degree from an accredited university.
- Bilingual in Spanish is preferred, but not required.
- Familiarity with the unique healthcare needs of transgender and gender non-conforming people
- Demonstrated experience working with LGBTQ+ adults, youth, and families; demonstrated awareness of sensitivity to and competence in dealing with cultural and socioeconomic diversity of the client population
- Strong clinical and communication skills.
- The ability to relate effectively and professionally with children, supervisors, co-workers, and staff.
- Strong computer skills in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and web-based Electronic Health Record software (CareLogic).
- Well organized, detail-oriented, and skilled with time/task management, able to adapt to frequent changes.
- Working knowledge of community resources that address the special needs of the client base.
- Ability to provide field-based work.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Must be willing to submit to a background investigation.
- Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States.
- Must have current licensure from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) (AMFT, LMFT, ACSW, LCSW), unlicensed PH. D/PsyD. is eligible for DMH waiver; must maintain CA BBS licensure in good standing
FLSA STATUS
Full-time; Exempt, Hybrid Schedule Available, M-Th 8:00 am-8:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am-6:00 pm.
BENEFITS & PERKS
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Supplemental Insurance.
- 401(k) plan / Profit Sharing.
- 14 paid holidays per year.
- Generous paid time off accrual.
- Travel reimbursements at IRS rate.
- Fully paid EBP training opportunities, including TF-CBT, MAP, PPP, IY, Seeking Safety, IPT, PCIT and ICBT.
