Independently Licensed Behavioral Health Provider (LPCC, LCSW, LMFT)

Description

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing health-care disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Indigenous communities
• Immigrant communities
• Rural communities
• BIPoC communities
• LGBTQIA+ communities
• Justice-impacted communities

The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and nimble enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and communicable disease outbreaks. The WEA team’s partnership model is collaborative and allows hospitals, health jurisdictions, state/local government agencies to provide timely care using equity-based strategies for individuals and marginalized communities.

Elevate your career to new heights with an opportunity that transcends traditional healthcare boundaries! Wellness Equity Alliance is actively seeking compassionate and driven individuals for several pivotal roles in our groundbreaking Street Medicine program. Street Medicine is an innovative and compassionate approach to healthcare, designed to meet individuals experiencing homelessness right where they are: on the streets, in shelters, or within underserved communities.  Working for WEA is more than a job; it's a calling to serve those who are most in need, directly in their environment.

Purpose of the position

The purpose of the Behavioral Health Provider (LPCC, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT) in the South Los Angeles Street Medicine Program is to provide comprehensive, accessible behavioral health services to unhoused individuals living on the streets of Los Angeles. This role aims to support their mental and emotional well-being through high-quality assessments, treatment, counseling, education, and harm reduction strategies. By collaborating with a multidisciplinary street medicine team—including medical providers, outreach workers, and community partners—the Behavioral Health Provider ensures an integrative and holistic approach to healthcare delivery. The focus is on fostering trust, enhancing engagement, and reducing barriers to care for individuals with complex behavioral health and substance use needs.

Behavioral health providers in this role require diverse skills and the ability to perform various duties to effectively support the psychological, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness. The essential functions listed below outline key responsibilities but do not encompass the full scope of duties. Employees may also be required to perform additional responsibilities as needed.

Providers must adhere to all guidelines regarding cultural humility, patient-centered care, harm reduction principles, trauma-informed practices, safety, ethical treatment, teamwork, participation in ongoing training, and compliance with organizational policies and public health standards.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy & Education:

• Staff & Community Education: Educating team members and community partners on the unique needs and challenges of individuals experiencing homelessness and the principles of harm reduction.
• Case Management Education & Training: Training staff on effective case management strategies that address both behavioral health and social determinants of health.
• Risk Management Identification & Referral: Identifying potential risks to individual well-being and linking individuals to appropriate resources and referrals.

Psychosocial Management:

• Crisis Intervention: Providing immediate support during behavioral health crises to stabilize and engage individuals in care.
• Psychosocial Assessment/Functioning: Conducting comprehensive assessments to evaluate mental health, substance use, and social functioning, and developing individualized care plans.
• Counseling Support & Referral: Offering therapeutic interventions and facilitating access to additional support services, including substance use treatment and housing resources.

Continuity of Care & Transition Support:

• Care Coordination: Facili