The Los Angeles Christian Health Centers is seeking a BBS registered associate clinical social worker (ACSW) or registered associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT) to reduce the distress and improve the mental health of the homeless and underserved populations presenting with complex medical and psycho-social problems on Los Angeles, CA skid row.  Bilingual Spanish preferred. Works alongside other professionals in multidisciplinary teams in order to deal with complex patient problems.

Los Angeles Christian Health Centers (LACHC) opened in 1995 with a handful of staff but a big vision to render hope and healing through healthcare to the thousands of homeless and low-income residents living in Los Angeles County. Today, 170 staff members serve the County’s most vulnerable populations from our two full-time health centers in Skid Row and Boyle Heights. We also provide comprehensive medical care at our 10 part-time satellite clinics hosted by our community partners throughout Downtown Los Angeles and Watts.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in social work or marriage and family therapy.  Registered in the State of California as an associate clinical social worker (ACSW) or registered associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT). Minimum two years of providing mental health services (i.e., assessment, diagnosis, individual and group therapies) to homeless, mentally ill, substance addicted adult populations.  Prior experience working within a community mental health or primary care, medical setting preferred.  CPR certification required.  Proficiency in computer use required.  Proficiency in written and spoken Spanish and English preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess, diagnose, and treat patient’s symptoms and dysfunctional behaviors per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual via in-person visits and telehealth (i.e., video & phone sessions).
• Provide individual and group psychotherapies to clients with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, hypertension, medication non-adherence, addiction, social and interpersonal problems, personality disorders and challenging behaviors.
• Develop social assessments and formulate individualized treatment plans based on evaluation of the patient’s past, present, and future medical and socioeconomic functioning.
• Apply behavioral interventions such as motivational interviewing that increase positive outcomes and optimize patient well-being.
• Provide wellness checks (i.e., SBIRTs – Screening, Brief Intervention, & Referral to Treatment) to patients to assess their well-being and to connect them to mental health services.
• Work as a part of a multidisciplinary team alongside medical providers, nurses, psychologists, front office staff, and case managers.
• Provide consultation services to multidisciplinary team members by evaluating the biopsychosocial implications of the patient’s illness when the team is assessing and planning medical treatment.
• Refer patients to institutions, support services, psychiatry, and other specialists as needed.
• Provide functional assessments in reports to the Department of Public Social Services, Department of Child and Family Services, Social Security Administration, and the Judiciary as needed.
• Provide some case management or referral to assist homeless patients with accessing vital resources such as housing, substance abuse treatment, specialty mental health care, and public benefits as needed.
• Contact MAT (medically assisted treatment) patients following initial induction (i.e., initial prescription to treat opioid addiction) for treatment retention as needed.
• Document all assessments, diagnoses, care plans, interventions and referrals in our electronic medical records system.
• Partcipate, assist, & lead groups/activities in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation program as needed.
• Network with community organizations for referral, partnership, and collaboration.
• Attend community meetings and events (such as CES case conferencing) as needed.
• Participate in weekly individual and group supervision per BBS guidelines. LACHC will provide a clinical supervisor.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Full-time, Exempt position.  Medical, Dental and Vision with 403B Retirement Plan and Employer match.  Annual Salary Range $56,588 – $84,881. Salary commensurate with experience.  Equal Opportunity Employer.  We will consider candidates with criminal histories.  Please submit resume to Cheryl Barnes, at CBarnes@lachc.com