Therapist

POSITION TITLE: Therapist

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt, Union, Benefitted

PROGRAM(S): First 5

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Director and/or Designee

SUMMARY:

Since its founding as a teen drop-in center in 1972, Community Solutions (CS) has grown in both depth and breadth of services in response to the growing and changing needs in the community. As one of the most comprehensive nonprofit human services agencies in Santa Clara County and the surrounding areas, CS provides prevention, intervention, treatment, and residential services to more than 6,400 clients annually, helping them overcome the challenges posed by mental health issues, substance abuse, trauma, severe family dysfunction, sexual and domestic violence, and human trafficking.

Under direction of the Program Manager, the Behavioral Health Therapist I is responsible for utilizing clinical knowledge and judgment to provide assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation services to individuals with mental health disorders and potential co-occurring substance abuse. Services are provided throughout Santa Clara.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess the Following Qualifications and Knowledge:

Did you know that research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications? Please understand that no one ever meets 100% of the capabilities. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply. This might be the right next role for you if you have:

Education and Experience:

Required:

• Master’s Degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, counseling, psychology or related field.
• In collaboration with various County services, experience working with systems to meet requirements of the Agency and contracts.
  
  
  

Preferred:

• One-year direct client experience working with mental or behavioral health issues, drug and alcohol services, or psychiatric services.
• The individual will preferably be bilingual and bicultural.
  
  
  

Knowledge

Required:

• Clinical knowledge and expertise within scope of practice in group, family and individual therapy.
• Treatment, rehabilitation and assessment techniques for people and families with mental health disorders or substance abuse issues.
• Working knowledge of wellness and recovery concepts, Medi-Cal regulations and program documentation.
• Knowledge of multiple partner systems, case management, linkage-referral, and crisis intervention.
  
  
  

Preferred:

• Knowledge of strength-based client driven care consistency.
• Knowledge and/or certification in evidence-based practices and outcome driven care.
• Working knowledge of Santa Clara County and surrounding areas community resources.
  
  
  

Special Requirements: Must be able to receive a criminal records clearance as required by specific programs, licensing regulations and Community Solutions practices. Position requires an automobile to perform routine job duties.

License: Must be registered and in good standing with California Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW), Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC), or eligible to register with the Board of Psychology as a Psychology Assistant. Must apply for registration and waiver at time of hire, obtain waiver within four months of hire date and maintain registration and waiver. Possess a valid California driver’s license, current car insurance and a good driving record as documented by a DMV report and consistent with the Agency’s liability insurance requirements.

What You'll Be Doing in the role of Therapist I – Behavioral Health: The following are examples of essential job duties for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned to support the program and Agency.

• Utilizes clinical best practices to conduct screening, intake and assessments to determine the client’s needs develop treatment goals. Community based work to include home visits and school-based services.
• Performs intensive counseling services with clients and their families through individual, family and group therapy. Employs evidenced-based practices and the wellness & recovery model as appropriate to assist the client and identify issues of dual diagnosis, activities of daily living, employment, mental illness, physical illness, relationships, and housing which are impacting their mental health and successful recovery.
• Provides crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, case management and referral services for assigned individuals and families.
• Completes detailed program documents in accordance with agency, program and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains all charts within Agency and/or Medi-Cal regulations.
• Teaches life skills, assists individuals and families with educational and support activities, accesses appropriate community services and rehabilitation counseling.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with appropriate community organizations and system providers.
• Employee must have the ability to operate their personal or Agency motor vehicle to participate in client visits, provide daily transportation of clients and/or other assigned Agency business.
• Frequent travel required.
• Responds to phone calls and emails within 24 hours on business days unless extenuating circumstance exist. Resolve outstanding issues collaboratively using strength-based solutions focused approach.
• Attends and participates in Agency meetings and contributes to continuous quality improvement activities to enhance team and program development.
• Consistently uses strength-based and solution focused problem-solving skills.
• Maintains good customer service skills with internal and external customers.
• Successfully completes all training requirements for this position to ensure agency and contract compliance.
• Participates in on-call and after hour’s rotation, as assigned. Flexible schedule may be required to work some evenings and weekends.
• Performs first aid as needed based on training and certification.
  
  
  

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Community Solutions is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are a team of dedicated professionals with backgrounds as diverse as the impact we achieve. We are committed to diversity in our workforce and equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Working at Community Solutions:

Community Solutions offers a competitive and comprehensive pay rate of $3,275.21 - $3,407.53 per bi-weekly pay period, equivalent of $85,155.46 - $88,595.78 annually, a generous employee benefits package, and encourages a strong work-life balance. We believe in supporting the whole person by providing:

• 100% of premiums paid by employer for full-time employees and eligible dependent children
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 5% employer match
• 3-weeks paid vacation to start
• 13 paid holidays; 96 sick hours per year (inclusive of self-care/mental health days)
• Longevity bonuses
• Generous family medical leave for eligible employees
• Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Staff learning and development and robust in-house training opportunities
• Employee-led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resource Group
  
  
  

Physical Requirements:

Different positions may require specific physical capacities that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.

Work Environment and Location: This position is located within commutable distance to our Gilroy headquarters or San Jose office and is open to a hybrid work schedule, with occasional needs to be able to travel into our offices and work in the evenings or weekends.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance as required by specific programs, licensing regulations and Community Solutions practices.
• License: Possess a valid California driver’s license, current car insurance and a good driving record as documented by a DMV report and consistent with the Agency’s liability insurance requirements.
• Requires an automobile to perform routine job duties.
• COVID-19 Vaccination: Please note that Community Solutions has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients. As a condition of employment, Community Solutions employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law.
  
  
  

Note: This job description outlines primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but is not intended to be a comprehensive description of job responsibilities. We expect each employee to offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently.

Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work directly as an employee for any employer in the United States without visa sponsorship.