Therapist - NCSH

Job Overview
 
This is a union position.

North County Serenity House, A Program of HealthRIGHT 360 was founded in 1966 to provide substance use disorder services in the community. North County Serenity House provides a gender-responsive and trauma-informed environment, using evidence-based and best practices that recognize and account for the role that trauma frequently plays in substance use and criminal histories of women. For clients with co-occurring mental illness, we provide integrated substance use and mental health services which treat both conditions as primary. Our residential facility serves up to 120 women (with capacity for up to 20 children under 5 years of age) seeking recovery from substance use disorders. 

The primary responsibilities of the Therapist include providing direct participant care in a manner that exemplifies HealthRIGHT 360’s philosophy, goals, policies, mission and vision through the provision of confidential therapy and psychoeducational groups, conducting mental health and substance use disorder assessments and evaluations to identify behaviors and problems related to a participant’s addiction and potential co-occurring disorders. S/he acts as a liaison between the agency and outside organizations, linking participants with the appropriate resources to meet their health, mental health and human service needs. They will demonstrate the ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of the participant’s needs, document knowledge of participant’s growth and progress, and demonstrate an understanding of the range of treatment needed by participants served. Must enjoy working as a member of a diverse team in a cooperative effort and be able to exercise creative and independent judgment to solve problems. May also be assigned to assist in signing off on treatment plans of other staff. 

Key Responsibilities

• Works as an active team member and closely collaborates with internal and external team members.
• Assist participants with substance abuse and behavioral needs as assigned which may include individual therapy, family and couple sessions, mental health assessment, evaluations, crisis intervention and group therapy, and psychoeducational groups.
• Maintain appropriate/ethical boundaries with all participants and families served. Facilitate timely access to mental health services on site and within the community.
• Act as a liaison between other programs and referring agencies.
• Serves as the point of contact and coordinates referrals and follow-ups with health agencies.
• Conduct mental health assessments and ensure follow up from each participant and treatment counselor.
• Identify treatment needs, recommend plans based on assessment, and ensure participants meet all requirements.
• Monitor participant conduct, record participant activity, and inform treatment team of potential problems.
• Handle crisis interventions including when a participant may exhibit psychiatric symptoms that present a threat to the participant or others assessing situations for further needs.
• Assists in conducting intakes and determining appropriate level of care based on ASAM criteria and able to document effectively how participant meets medical/service necessity for that level of care.
• Able to review and discuss other treatment team members’ intakes and ongoing updates to determine current ASAM criteria, level of care, and justify medical/service necessity.
• Documents participant updates and incidents in the facility log daily.
• Performs periodic house runs to ensure and maintain the safety and security of the facility.
• Attends required trainings and meetings.
• Plans and facilitates participant celebrations and special events.
• Participates in team meetings to provide information and make recommendations for treatment, discharge planning, and participant management.

• Must be a MSW, MFT, or Psychologist from a regionally accredited graduate program in the field of Psychology or Counseling Psychology.
• Masters level candidates must be registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences and possess a valid registration number. 
• Minimum of two years of experience in a substance abuse treatment or community mental health setting.
• Experience in working with people with co-occurring disorders.
• Experience working in criminal justice populations.
• Familiarity with trauma informed therapy models, cognitive–behavioral therapy, brief psychotherapy and psycho-educational approaches.
• Familiarity with working with psychotic and other severe mental health presentations.
• First Aid certified within 60 days of employment.
• CPR certified within 60 days of employment.
• A valid California driver’s license and current automobile insurance.

• Licensed MFT or LCSW, LPCC, Psychologist.
• Valid Substance Abuse Counselor Certification from an accredited organization.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

• Ability to understand, and interpret information, and can manage a consistent workflow. 
• Ability to enter data into various electronic systems while maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the data.
• Professionalism, punctuality, flexibility and reliability are imperative.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work effectively with people in a constructive manner.
• Must be able to demonstrate strong boundaries.
• Integrity to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Action oriented.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organization skills and ability to multitask and juggle multiple priorities.
• Outstanding ability to follow-through with tasks.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of interdisciplinary team and independently assume responsibility.
• Strong initiative and enthusiasm and willingness to pitch in whenever needed.
• Able to communicate well at all levels of the organization including working with organization leadership and high-level representatives of partner organizations.
• Able to work within a frequently changing project scope while maintaining overall direction and structured priorities.

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