Aviva Family and Children’s Services Mission Statement
Aviva believes every child and every family in our Los Angeles community deserves the chance for a brighter future. We provide compassionate support, therapeutic services, and guidance to at-risk children and families.
Job Summary
Under the supervision of the MHS Clinical Supervisor, the MHS Therapist is responsible for a caseload of children and/or adolescents and their families. The MHS Therapist provides home-based psychotherapy to individuals and families utilizing select Evidence-based Practices when required. They also provide crisis intervention, case management and Community Outreach Services (COS). The MHS Therapist is responsible for completing all required paperwork in accordance with agency and County regulations.
Essential Functions
Consistently serve a caseload of children and/or adolescents with individual and family/collateral psychotherapy in home, school, juvenile hall, and community settings, with crisis intervention as needed.
Complete and submit all documentation and Case Record Reviews in accordance with agency and DMH regulations (including but not limited to assessments, treatment plans and progress notes).
Consistently meet agency billing productivity requirement.
Meet weekly with individual supervisor (and attend group supervision if required), and consult as necessary when clinically indicated (e.g., potential Suspected Child Abuse Reports, suicidal clients, other crisis situations).
Learn and implement Evidence-Based Practices and maintain fidelity to the models.
Under licensed supervision, responsible for a caseload of children and/or adolescents and their families.
Conduct initial and annual clinical assessments of clients including:
Obtaining client history
Completing client mental status exam
Provide opening diagnosis
Provide group therapy as necessary
Provide case management, coordination of services, crisis intervention, referrals and outreach services when needed
Participate as a member of multidisciplinary treatment teams
Provide critical clinical input related to client diagnosis, behavioral functioning
Recommend treatment planning
Participate in case conferences as needed
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with intra-agency staff, County staff, school personnel, referring agencies, physicians and community
Consult with and serve as a liaison with community agencies, school personnel, parents and other mental health programs and services in order to evaluate community health needs and services
Coordinate emergency psychiatric support services
Serve as an advocate for clients
Sensitive and responsive to the cultural differences among the agency’s client population
Actively participate in quality improvement projects
The MHS Therapist will take on special projects or additional duties as assigned by the MHS Clinical Supervisor or Director of Mental Health Services.
Competency Requirements
Ability to speak, read, write and understand English
Ability to work effectively as a member of treatment teams
Ability to accurately assess and diagnose clients’ mental status
Must demonstrate ability to utilize the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
Ability to promptly and thoroughly analyze and respond to a crisis situation
Ability to accurately and completely complete required paperwork in accordance with agency and County regulations
Knowledgeable of principles and practices of community mental health treatment, including interviewing, assessment, individual, family and group counseling
Knowledge of general psychiatric emergency intervention protocols, diagnosis and brief and long‑term therapy methods
Must demonstrate knowledge of principles of child, adolescent, and adult psychology
Must demonstrate sound judgment and decision making skills
Knowledgeable of the laws and regulations related to client’s rights, best practices, voluntary or involuntary inpatient hospitalization
Knowledge of community resources and agencies providing support services for the mentally ill or disabled.
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
Must have excellent time management skills
Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
Education and Experience
Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology or Marriage and Family Therapy
Post graduate clinical experience preferred
Previous experience proving in-home services preferred
Certifications/Licenses
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LCSW, LMFT or LPCC) by the Board of Behavioral Sciences preferred
OR
Registered with BBS as an Associate Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Certification or training in select Evidence-based Practices preferred
Valid CA Driver’s license
Valid automobile insurance
Additional Requirements
Tuberculosis clearance
Department of Justice/Fingerprint clearance
Satisfactory completion of health screening
Proof of legal eligibility to work in the United States
Satisfactory driving record
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of an MHS Therapist, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk, drive and use his/her fingers to manipulate a keyboard or writing instrument. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee is rarely required to run, bend, kneel, reach or lift objects weighing more than 10 pounds.
Work Environment
The work environment is indoors and outdoors. The noise level varies from quiet to moderate.