Full-time therapist at Mental Health Residential (AMFT, LMFT, APCC, LPCC, ACSW, LCSW)

Position Summary:

Responsible for coordinating and providing individualized individual and family therapy, group therapy and bio-psychosocial assessment services including group and family counseling for clients within the facility. The Therapist will demonstrate expertise in psychotherapeutic services, development of client resources, vocational counseling, discharge/continuing care planning, and placement of clients in collaboration with the case manager. The Therapist has the primary responsibility of maintaining communication with the referral source and other service providers as needed, as well as act as a liaison with the UR Department on all aspects of client care. Oceanside Recovery Centers and Mental Health strives to ensure that all of our clients receive the most comprehensive care to address the issues that may impede their recovery.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Treatment and rehabilitation of mental ill persons and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Providing, facilitating in, and supervising individual and group therapy/ counseling.
• Working with other social agencies and managed care organizations, hospitals, clinics, courts, prisons and gatekeepers in planning to meet the needs of clients and assist them in utilizing these resources.
• Preparing treatment plans, histories, writing letters, making reports and keeping records per licensure regulations.
• Encouraging, reassuring and giving needed support.
• Recommending educational and occupational training and/or possibilities for placement.
• Providing assessment and evaluations based on appropriate criteria.
• Provides regular individual, group, and lecture counseling sessions for all clients as required by regulatory agencies and mandated direct service time standards.
• Responsible for submitting timely reports, biopsychosocial assessments, continuum of stays and discharges where appropriate.
• Responsible for writing and submitting clinical summaries for UR one day prior to the review.
• Responsible for completing the master problem list, master treatment plan, master treatment plan reviews, aftercare recommendations, and discharge summaries in a timely manner.
• Provide crisis intervention and referrals for clients in cooperation with the medical staff and established agency guidelines.
• Attend, participate, and when necessary, facilitate case consultations, special events, such as seminars, lectures, retreats, trips, workshops, etc.
• Initiates "discharge summaries" & "aftercare plan" during the preliminary sessions with clients and closes client charts completing all required documentation.
• Responsible for special reports and/or projects which may involve case consultation with other counseling and direct care staff.
• Responsible for maintaining valid appropriate professional certificates and credentials.
• Attend all staff meetings.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of mental health conditions, symptoms, and treatment modalities.
• Applies appropriate diagnostic and clinical criteria for mental health and co-occurring disorders.
• Understands the principles of recovery-oriented, strengths-based care.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed practices and evidence-based interventions.
• Performs therapist-related duties such as individual, group, and family therapy.
• Screens for pain, suicidal ideation (SI), homicidal ideation (HI), and imminent risk of harm to self or others.
• Establishes therapeutic rapport and conducts clinical assessments using structured data-gathering approaches.
• Collaborates with individuals served to formulate mutually agreed-upon, measurable treatment goals and objectives.
• Analyzes assessment data to determine clinical priorities and recommend appropriate treatment strategies.
• Demonstrates awareness and adherence to client rights, privacy (HIPAA), and informed consent procedures.
• Complies with DHCS and CDSS regulations governing SRF and SRP program operations.
• Reports suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation per mandated reporter requirements under California law.
• Follows accepted ethical and behavioral standards of professional conduct (e.g., NASW, ACA, or CAMFT codes).
• Exhibits sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, and individual diversity. Integrates culturally appropriate care and promotes inclusion in treatment planning and service delivery.
• Prevents, recognizes, responds to, and reports incidents of workplace violence.
• Understands and effectively implements emergency and disaster response procedures.
• Demonstrates proficiency in crisis de-escalation techniques and safety planning.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation.
• Coordinates care with interdisciplinary team members, including clinical and direct care staff.
• Communicates effectively and compassionately with clients, families, and external stakeholders.
• Engages in ongoing professional development and continuing education to maintain licensure and improve practice.
• Seeks supervision, consultation, and feedback to enhance clinical effectiveness and ethical decision-making.
• Recognizes the impact of trauma on mental health and behavior.
• Implements trauma-informed care principles in all therapeutic interactions.
• Supports client empowerment, choice, and collaboration in recovery and treatment planning.

Minimum 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.

• Master's Degree and at least 3 years of experience in mental health and co- occurring disorders.
• Licensed or license eligible by the BBS and continue special training in areas of licensure (LMHC, LCSW, CAP, etc.) designated by the Supervisor.
• Two, or more, years of mental health and dual diagnosis experience
• Must be 18 years of age
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification
• Current Tuberculin Screen
• Must have required Health Screen
• Must be able to pass criminal background clearance

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Experience:

Measures employee's demonstrated job, relevant knowledge, and essential skills, such as work practices, policies, procedures, resources, laws, customer service, and technical information, as well as the relationship of work to the organization's mission. Also measured are the employee's self-improvement efforts to enhance skills and knowledge to stay current with changes impacting the job.

• Knowledge of substance abuse, addictions, mental health, cognitive behavior treatment and motivational interviewing.
• Ability to read and interpret written information; write clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar. Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; and participates in meetings.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Must be able to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and flexible hours.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Walking, bending, and kneeling which may occur with long periods of sitting in vehicle while transporting; must be able to participate in moderate lifting of 30 or more pounds (suitcases, packages, etc.). This position must be able to support client weight in case of emergency situation or client disability requiring assistance in walking, etc. There is a risk of exposure to…