Clinical Therapist I - SF Outpatient Services

Clinical Therapist I

HealthRIGHT 360 gives hope, builds health, and changes lives for people in need by providing comprehensive, integrated, compassionate care that includes primary medical care, mental health services, and substance use disorder treatment.

This is a union eligible position.

Job Summary

HealthRIGHT 360, a family of programs, is located across 13 different counties in California. HealthRIGHT 360 provides an array of medical and behavioral health services to some of the most marginalized populations, ranging from primary care, mental health services, detox, substance use disorder treatment in both residential and outpatient settings, and transitional services for the criminal justice population. The Outpatient Program works with high-risk populations from a variety of backgrounds providing trauma-informed care aimed at reducing the harmful impacts of substance use. We accept majority of participants who seek Outpatient treatment, including walk-ins, referrals from other agencies, and step down transitional clients from residential treatment programs. Participants and their counselors work collaboratively to design an integrated, individualized, strengths-based treatment experience geared towards addressing each client's specific needs and goals.

The Clinical Therapist I (SMH) works collaboratively with a team consisting of substance use disorder (SUD) Counselors to provide valuable insight, direction, and oversight of Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) and/or Medi-Cal Mental Health Services (MHMC). Under the DMC model, they are qualified to establish medical necessity and approve SUD treatment plans. Maintains an assigned caseload of clients seeking substance use treatment and mental health treatment. In this position, an individual would conduct face-to-face assessments, individual counseling sessions, and progress reviews with each client. Additionally, they are responsible for providing safe, supportive, and confidential counseling; maintaining a culturally competent stance; and always creating and maintaining a trauma-informed program environment.

Clinical Therapist I acts as a liaison between the agency and outside organizations, linking clients with the appropriate resources to meet their physical and mental health needs, as well as their human service needs. They also facilitate psycho-education groups on a variety of core curricula and collaborate with program management staff to assist clients in obtaining entitlement benefits, housing, and medical services in the community and participate in discharge planning. In addition, they provide crisis management and facilitate hospitalizations.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Service Responsibilities

• Responsible for reviewing and signing initial treatment plans and medical necessity forms and adhering to strict DMC and MHMC timelines.

• Provide mental health assessment and evaluation, integrated alcohol, and drug counseling, which includes individual therapy, and support: Maintain appropriate/ethical boundaries with all clients 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 client and treatment counselor.

• Identify treatment needs, recommend treatment plans based on assessment, and works to ensure clients are able meet all requirements.

• Ensures client is assessed to appropriate level of care.

• Provides diagnostic feedback and assessment information to facilitate accurate level step up or step-down services to support client's goals.

• Monitor client conduct, record client activity, and inform colleagues of potential challenges in treatment episodes.

• Handle crisis interventions and assess situations for further needs.

• When primarily assigned to MHMC/Specialty Mental Health programs, provides Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) services as needed, including reviewing and signing treatment plans, ensuring compliance with DMC timelines, and completing Medi-Cal/Medicare billing when applicable.

Administration and Compliance

• Maintain and successfully retain assigned caseload of clients.

• Initiate and coordinate curriculum development and facilitate curriculum training as required.

• Maintain files in accordance with governing standards and regulations. Maintain records and document services in a timely manner.

• Maintain strict confidentiality guidelines regarding all clients, conversations, and referrals. Able to maintain a productivity standard of 50% billable services.

Community Involvement

• Maintain accurate knowledge of HR360 programs and services.

• Maintain and develop positive working relationships with public, community-based organizations.

Treatment Setting Responsibilities

• Facilitates psycho-education groups on a variety of core curriculum topics including CBT, Seeking Safety, DBT and Coping with Stress Triggers.

• Coordinates discharge planning with client's SUD Counselor.

• Provides consultation to staff regarding symptom management, mental health conditions and crisis intervention strategies. Attending staff and agency meetings.

• Participates in agency training as required. Complies with Board requirements for license registration/renewal.

Documentation Responsibilities

• Daily maintenance of monitoring of EMR report, to prevent and clear any compliance errors in records. Conducts assessments, develops treatment plans, completes release and consent forms, billing, and reporting paperwork in hard copy and online in various electronic systems.

• Completes assigned Drug Medi-Cal, Medicare and Medi-Cal documentation and billing.

• Documents individual and group services delivered in various electronic systems in accordance with guidelines established by HealthRIGHT 360 to satisfy internal and external evaluating requirements.

Qualifications

Education, Certification, and Experience

• Board Registered with Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology (BBS).

• Experience in a substance abuse treatment or community mental health setting.

• First Aid and CPR certified within 30 days of employment.

• Valid California driver's license.

• Experience working successfully with issues of substance abuse, mental health, criminal background, and other potential barriers to economic self-sufficiency.

• Experience with mental health assessment and diagnosis.

• Experience establishing supportive relationships and working with varying lifestyles, ages, sexual orientations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and economic status.

• Experienced with Drug Medi-Cal operations preferred.