Job Abstract

Organization Overview

Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC) Schools is comprised of a non-profit network of public charter schools designed to significantly increase high school graduation rates, college entrance, and college graduation rates for underserved students in North-East Los Angeles, and the North-East San Fernando Valley.

Our mission at PUC Schools is to develop and manage high-quality charter schools in densely populated urban communities with overcrowded and low-achieving schools. We create school programs and cultures that promote college graduation for all students. We uplift and revitalize communities through the success of our students and through inspiring them to uplift our communities now and forever and through the development of educational and other supportive partnerships.

The Team Member we are searching for

The ideal MFT Associate believes in and is passionate about the mission and commitments of PUC Schools and exhibits this through their leadership, reflection, execution of school culture, and collaboration to ensure student success. The MFT Associate provides direct clinical services in the form of individual, family, and group therapy to the students and families of PUC schools.

What you will need to accomplish:

Clinical Evaluations for Clients on Caseload:

• Identify unit of treatment, presenting problems, and patterns of behavior
• Gather adequate client history information, and assess clinical issues based on client history and presenting problems
• Routinely assess relevant clinical issues, client strengths, and coping skills
• Mutually set appropriate goals for clients
• Routinely assess for possible substance use
• Gather adjunctive resource information and use DSM criteria to determine diagnoses

Crisis Management:

• Identify the nature of the crisis to determine the immediate action needed
• Routinely observe and assess for indications of abuse, danger to self or others
• Develop/implement a plan (with the assistance of the supervisor) to reduce the potential for danger
• Manage reporting requirements appropriately
• Follow the policies and procedures of the agency
• Manage workload

Treatment Planning:

• Demonstrate awareness of principles of systems theory & an understanding of a variety of theoretical models and/or specialties (art therapy, etc.)
• Identify stages of treatment and appropriate short-term and long-term treatment goals, objectives and plan for each stage, and formulate how to reach goals
• Recognize the need for referral for adjunctive services and identify appropriate referrals
• Provide appropriate treatment to clients

Legal Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of and use of appropriate laws and codes to guide practice and make decisions
• Inform clients of parameters of confidentiality and privilege, their limitations, and conditions of mandated reporting
• Demonstrate knowledge of legal issues relevant to this counseling setting
• Adhere to legal statutes related to this counseling setting
• Recognize and appropriately manage mandated reporting requirements
• Obtain the client’s (or legal guardian’s) authorization for release to disclose or obtain confidential information
• Maintain the security of client therapy records

Ethical Responsibilities:

• Knowledge of and use of appropriate ethical codes to guide practice and make decisions
• Demonstrate knowledge of ethical issues arising in this counseling setting
• Maintain appropriate therapeutic boundaries
• Identify personal reactions/countertransference issues that could interfere with the therapeutic process
• Identify personal limitations that require outside consultation

Utilizing Supervision:

• Seek supervision when needed, come prepared for supervision sessions, openly share concerns and ideas with the supervisor
• Demonstrate openness to feedback, and use supervisory suggestions to make improvements
• Seek supervision when faced with legal or ethical dilemmas in practice
• Evaluate his/her performance including transference and countertransference
• Raise questions, report problems
• Recognize issues outside competence areas and consult and seek supervision when appropriate (outside of regularly scheduled supervision meetings)
• Keep appropriate case notes & files are up to date
• Maintain timely and orderly paperwork

Termination of Clients when Appropriate:

• Demonstrate ability to terminate appropriately
• Develop a plan for termination with the client to provide a transition from treatment
• Use referral sources appropriately
• Document termination satisfactorily
• Comply with agency policy regarding termination

Culture and Values

• Exhibit integrity, initiative, motivation, attitude, self-awareness
• Establish rapport and show respect for clients, colleagues, and staff in professional contexts and maintain professional relationships
• Demonstrate good listening skills, communication, and coping with anxiety-producing situations
• Utilize theoretically appropriate and client-specific clinical interventions
• Modify the treatment process by monitoring therapeutic progress
• Identify the issues of diversity that impact the therapeutic environment
• Demonstrate awareness of own identity and biases and recognize the impact of own gender, culture, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, SES, ability, and beliefs on the therapeutic process
• Apply treatment consistent with the client’s values and beliefs
• Perform other duties as assigned 

What do we require from you?

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in MFT/School Counseling, related field, or equivalent training and experience required
• MSW programs/Clinical Social Work
• Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential preferred

Experience:

• Previous experience focusing on other school needs (i.e. Attendance/SARB, Parent Engagement, SEL, Peer Mentorship/Leadership, College Counseling Support, Substance Abuse, etc.
• Experience having specific roles in Professional Development Trainings or classroom presentations

Skills and Abilities

• Proficient with Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Alignment with core characteristics required of every PUC employee: pursuit of excellence, innovation, community, tenacity, and authenticity
• Able to maintain a working relationship with clients
• Must be flexible and team-oriented
• Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred
• Regular attendance, dependability, and punctuality in conformance with the standards are essential to the successful performance of this position

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. Occasionally required to kneel, climb, and reach with hands and arms above shoulder level, lift up to 30 pounds. To bend, sit, stand, squat, stoop, walk, push, pull, and reach with hands and arms at shoulder level or below. Always required to wear the appropriate safety equipment for the task, which may include gloves, goggles, aprons, belts, etc.

Compensation & Benefits:

• This is a full-time exempt, salaried position
• 11-Month Work Calendar
• Our benefits include:
  • Comprehensive group health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision and additional voluntary benefits
  • 403b Retirement Plan with an annual contribution match
  • Paid Time Off
  • Ongoing Professional Development

DISCLAIMER: This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of an incumbent. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this position description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the Institution and its employees.

PUC Schools is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.