Mental Health Therapist I/II/III (Behavioral Health Court) - Bilingual English/Spanish

Mental Health Therapist I/II/III (Behavioral Health Court)

Bilingual Required (English/Spanish)

Compensation: $30-$35

Work Hours: Mon-Fri (a minimum of 2 evenings until 7:30pm and 1 evening until 6pm and minimum of 3 days in the office) (nights and weekends as needed)

Work Location: San Diego (County-wide Program) – Home Office: Oceanside

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Youth Development Director and working in a team effort directed by the Youth Development Program Manager, will provide comprehensive case management, behavioral health and screening services, and facilitate referrals and engagement in designated programs to at-risk clients and their families with the overall goal of increasing self-sufficiency, fostering resilience, and building connections to community resources. Services include, but are not limited to, in-home and on-site support, parent training, crisis intervention, counseling, case management, and substance abuse treatment referrals and support. The YD Team Specialist/BHC Therapist will participate in multi-disciplinary team assessments with multiple North County Lifeline programs and other professionals to develop case management goals, treatment plans and therapeutic interventions. The YD Team Specialist/BHC Therapist must exhibit cultural sensitivity and a trauma informed approach to services with program participants and staff. Weekly individual and group clinical supervision is provided by a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

Specific Activities:

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Conduct mental health assessments, screenings, and eligibility determinations for youth and families.

• Provide clinical case management services, including care coordination, service planning, advocacy, and linkage to community resources

• Develop and implement individualized, strength-based treatment plans and case plans.

• Provide individual, family, and group counseling utilizing evidence-based and trauma-informed practices.

• Deliver crisis intervention, stabilization services, and safety planning to support youth and family well-being.

• Maintain a caseload and provide services in office, home, school, court, and community settings.

• Coordinate referrals and connect youth and families to behavioral health, substance use treatment, educational, employment, housing, and community resources.

• Collaborate with families, schools, courts, treatment providers, and multidisciplinary teams to support client engagement and successful outcomes.

• Establish, maintain, and strengthen collaborative working relationships with Probation as a key partner in supporting youth, families, and successful program outcomes

• Facilitate youth groups and educational workshops focused on life skills, leadership development, anger management, job readiness, and violence prevention.

• Conduct outreach and engagement activities to increase participation in services.

• Attend court hearings, case conferences, supervision, trainings, and program meetings as required.

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, case notes, progress reports, and outcome tracking in ETO or other required systems.

• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, confidentiality standards, agency policies, and contract requirements.

• Assist with program development, resource identification, and community partnerships.

• Transport clients and family members as needed to support treatment and service goals.

• Exercise sound clinical judgment, work independently, and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

Minimum qualifications of MA level education in the areas of Psychology, Social Work, or related field; two years experience providing services to youth and families or equivalent; and current registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) of California. Bilingual required. Candidate must possess the ability to make sound clinical decisions independently. Must be able to apply clinical judgment, ethics and accountability to formulate and implement treatment plans and other clinical documentation. Demonstrates the ability to handle stressful and crises tactfully and appropriately. Strictly adheres to the principles and practices of the counseling profession as elucidated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Demonstrates the ability to practice a wide variety of treatment modalities, and to exercise discretion and independent judgment in all areas of job performance including adherence to appropriate professional boundaries. Demonstrates strong leadership qualities, including but not limited to conflict management skills and inter-agency and intra-agency collaborative skills. Experience in Family Functional Therapy model preferred. Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills. Off-site counseling requires own transportation. Willingness to use personal vehicle in the course of employment (mileage reimbursed). Successful completion of multi-state criminal background check, TB and Drug Test.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Establish and maintains effective working relationships while showing open mindedness and a collaborative spirit. Compatibility with agency purpose, goals, philosophy, and approach. Demonstrates enthusiasm and passion for their work. Utilizes a creative approach to problem solving. Interactions with others reflect a spirit of honesty, humbleness, and self-awareness. Accepts constructive criticism with a positive attitude and willingness to implement change. Ability to work well independently and demonstrate appropriate initiative. Must demonstrate knowledge of trauma Informed, client driven, and culturally competent care.

Other Requirements:

Reliable transportation. Must have a California driver license and good driving record. Willing to use own, properly insured, reliable vehicle for the job (mileage reimbursed). Employment subject to clearances, including background finger printing checks, driving record, tuberculosis testing, and drug testing.

Physical Demands/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 job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may be exposed in an extremely stressful environment where there are considerable mental and emotional demands. Travel is required to client homes. Employee may be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The employee will be required to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients and maintaining the integrity of our workplace, North County Lifeline conducts comprehensive background and drug screening processes for all prospective employees. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Driving Record Check: Verification through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure a good standing driving record.
• Employment Verification: Confirmation of your employment history to verify your experiences and qualifications.
• Reference Checks: Contacting provided references to gain insights into your work ethic, professionalism, and suitability for the role.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Screening: A TB test to ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff, in line with public health recommendations.
• Drug Screening: A 10-panel non-DOT drug test to screen for the presence of common illicit substances, ensuring a drug-free workplace.
• Criminal Background Checks: Comprehensive checks through the Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and Child Abuse Index to identify any history that may impact your suitability for employment, particularly in roles involving vulnerable populations.

These screenings are a vital part of our hiring process and must be successfully completed for employment eligibility. North County Lifeline is dedicated to fair and responsible hiring practices and ensures that all screenings are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, respecting the privacy and rights of all candidates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this process, aimed at creating a safe and productive work environment for everyone.