Mental Health Therapist - Homeless FSP (SPA 5)

Company Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

Job Description

Job Summary

The Mental Health Specialist works as a team member with several social service professional and paraprofessional staff ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance with the rules and regulations established as well as adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center. 

St. Joseph Center provides clinical individual and group supervision with the intention of getting licensed

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Mental Health Specialist’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Utilize a harm reduction and housing first model when working with clients to have a “No wrong door” approach to services.  
• Provide mental health services to individuals.
• Develop and maintain strong ties to the community, law enforcement, and other service providers.
• Provide mental health assessment and interventions to the severe and persistently mentally ill.

Essential Duties:

• Implement client treatment plans, emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing mental health/substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, medication management, and any other risk factors that could impede permanent housing and provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goals.      
• Build trust and rapport with individuals.
• Assess individuals and complete assessments, re-assessments, and client treatment plan that are required by the agency and funders.
• Utilize a harm reduction model when working with clients with chemical dependency or abuse issues.
• Link clients to physical health, mental health, and other supportive services internally or externally.
• Link clients to appropriate bridge/interim housing programs and assist them in completing required paperwork to enroll them in permanent housing-related programs.
• Provide skill building, rehabilitation and therapy services to individuals and groups.
• Keep highly organized files for each client and enter appropriate data within agency and funder compliance.
• Assist clients to enroll in mainstream benefits and obtain identification (i.e. California Driver’s License, Social Security Card).
• Provide bus tokens, bus passes, taxi vouchers, and/or direct transportation as needed. 
• Participate in case conferencing meetings and other community meetings.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other service providers or programs.
• Participate in one-on-one or group clinical supervision as needed.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter. 
• Must have the ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff. 
• Must have excellent organizational skills and the capability to work in a fast-paced environment.   
• Strong knowledge of homeless services and resources. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Critical Time Intervention, and Housing First.
• A bilingual background is a plus.

Experience:

• Experience providing services to highly vulnerable populations preferred.
• Demonstrate experience with completing mental health assessments and client treatment plans using diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5

Education:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or universi