Veteran's Mental Health Therapist in San Luis Obispo, California at Transitions Mental Health Asso

POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Therapist-Licensed

PROGRAM/LOCATION: Veteran’s Wellness Program (VetWell)/ San Luis Obispo

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Veteran’s Wellness Program engages Veterans, their families, and support persons by providing treatment and ancillary support for those managing mental health concerns, relationship challenges, co-occurring disorders, and trauma. Services are delivered in a way that fosters hope while promoting resilience, growth, and recovery. The VetWell team values professional and cultural humility, as well as ongoing self-reflection and personal growth, to provide high-quality client care and support overall wellness within the team.

The VetWell Program provides therapy, group support, and case management services to Veterans and their families in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Licensed clinicians in this program provide individual, group, family, and couples therapy, and are responsible for delivering direct services as well as maintaining accurate clinical documentation and charts.

The VetWell Therapist provides a full range of services including assessment, individualized treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, direct clinical care, peer support, and case management. This position is based in San Luis Obispo and includes providing services in an office setting, in the field (such as clients’ homes), and via telehealth.

HOURS/ SALARY EMPLOYEE PERKS:

Part-Time, non-exempt position. Up to 20 hours per week. Anticipated hiring range is $39.50-$41.50. Includes a generous individual benefits package that includes critical illness benefits, accident benefits, 403b retirement (with up to a 5% employer match) paid sick time and a variety of helpful employee perks as well. (*Full Salary Schedule $39.50-$49.00 per hour).

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Transitions – Mental Health Association is a leading non-profit agency committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and support to individuals and families by inspiring hope, growth, recovery and wellness in our communities. TMHA has decades of experience with teams of compassionate staff. TMHA is a driving force in improving mental health and wellness in our communities and a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and individual contributions.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Transitions Mental Health Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community and family support services.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Provide services using a wellness and recovery-oriented approach for all clients. Foster and maintain a collaborative team environment with fellow clinicians and supervisory staff. Model and consistently practice a client-centered approach to service delivery.

2. Participate in trainings on best practices and evidence-based approaches to service delivery, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma-Informed Care. Trainings are provided as needed and approved by the VetWell Clinical Program Administrator.

3. Screen and assess potential clients to determine eligibility for VetWell Program services or the need for referral to more appropriate resources. Collaborate with other TMHA programs to coordinate appropriate referrals.

4. Provide therapy, education, and rehabilitation services to individuals, families, couples, and groups.

5. Document clinical activity in a timely manner, meeting program requirements and outcomes, within an electronic medical record system. Documentation includes diagnostic impressions, assessment findings, and therapeutic interventions.

6. Billing provides a critical portion of funding for this program. You are expected to reach documentation and billing goals as set by Program Administrator and Director.

7. All direct service staff are expected to spend at least 50% of their work time in direct service and support of clients, unless otherwise assigned by your supervisor.

8. Provide crisis counseling, suicide risk assessment, and safety planning in both field-based and office settings.

9. Support insurance billing processes for client appointments and maintain accurate tracking of clinical data for reporting and program evaluation purposes.

10. Promote, encourage, and maintain trauma-informed practices across all services and activities. Model and uphold TMHA’s Collaborative Communication Guidelines, both individually and in team settings, to support clear, empathetic, and person-centered communication.

11. Cooperate and work with other agencies and practitioners.

12. Participate in ongoing quality assurance and program evaluations.

13. All other duties as assigned by the Vet Well Team Clinical Program Administrator.

JOB ENVIORMENT:

1. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit.

2. Daily and frequent documentation of client services on the computer.

3. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

4. Involves moderate risks that require safety precautions and the risk of exposure to potentially intense situations.

5. Typical workweek is daytime, Monday to Friday, up to 20 hours/week; schedules developed in collaboration with all teammates and management staff to ensure maximum support for clients.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must be licensed in the state as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

2. Working knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, counseling, and psychotherapeutic treatment of marriage, family, and child relationships. This includes dysfunctions; methods of developing and implementing a treatment plan; human service delivery system; current trends in the field of mental health; and laws and regulations applicable to mental health.

3. Ability to: perform effective counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; develop and maintain cooperative relationships with clients’ families, members of other professional disciplines, social service agencies, and co-workers; relate professionally with persons with serious mental disorders; identify and utilize community resources; prepare and present clear and concise oral and written reports.

4. Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision-making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.

5. Must have a strong commitment in clients’ rights to self-govern and create their own choices and goals.

6. Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style and strong oral/written and communication skills.

7. Well defined organizational and time management skills.

8. Ability to work independently and flexibly.

9. Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision-making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.

10. Able to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or socio-economic level.

11. Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.

12. Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace.

13. Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction.

14. Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees.

15. Ability to mindfully promote equality and respect diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all of the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

16. Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services.

17. Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race and ethnicity.

18. Must use reasonable precautions in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while acting in such a manner as to assure at all times, maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients, and other persons contacted through TMHA business.

19. Conditions of employment include:

• Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, at least 2 years driving experience, reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, and DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements. May be required to utilize personal vehicle and auto insurance.

• Must comply with a TB assessment (possibly a TB test if needed to confirm a negative tuberculosis result) and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.

• Must be able to successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

The ideal candidate is a Veteran or a family member of a Veteran and has some understanding of the unique needs and challenges that may arise when working with a Veteran population.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Seeing

2. Hearing

3. Speaking

4. Stooping/Bending

5. Moving around office

6. Moving between offices/clients

7. Driving

8. Climbing

9. Lifting/carrying heavy items

10. Computer use

11. Pushing/pulling/dragging items

12. Standing for long periods

13. Working outside

14. Using hands/fingers