Assessing Therapist

The Assessing Therapist serves as the entry point for all clients seeing mental health services and is part of the agency's centralized intake process. This position conducts bio-psycho-social assessments of children, youth and families, CANS 2.0, and associated intake documentation. The Assessing Therapist assists in assigning the appropriate level of care and treatment modalities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports and promotes the mission of the Agency: Foothill Family empowers children and families to achieve success in relationships, school, and work through community-based services that advance growth and development.
• Conducts initial diagnostic assessments for all mental health services clients completing at least 3 to 4 assessments daily.
• Based on the assessment of needs and symptoms, provides an appropriate clinical diagnosis and makes recommendations for treatment.
• As part of the Intake process, completes the initial CANS for each client.
• Completes all required documentation, including charts, reports, client files and billing, within 24 hours of service delivery and in accordance with Agency policies.
• Identifies and intervenes with the needs of abused and neglected children and adults.
• Serves as part of the agency's Walk-In Clinic team and works in concert with the other members of the team so that clients are served in a timely manner and their experience in the intake process is satisfactory.
• Supports program needs and when needed provides direct service to child, adolescent, and adult clients through individual, family, and group therapy.
• Ensures documentation meets quality assurance, compliance, scope of practice and billing requirements independent of supervisory review.
• Keeps abreast of all legal and ethical standards.
• Provides a high level of collaboration and customer service both within the Agency as well as with community partners.
• Communicates effectively with supervisor, co-workers and outside agencies.
• Maintains current professional licensure.
• Advocates for clients, as well as provides relevant information about community resources when needed.
• Provides care or services to minors or comes into contact with minors as part of their job duties.
• Provides services relating to the administration of public funds or benefits, including eligibility for public funds or public benefits.
• Travels between Foothill Family sites for training, meetings, and other in-person interactions
• Attends in-person meetings and events at various locations within the Los Angeles County and surrounding areas.
• Displays sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomics characteristics.
• Performs work in a safe manner at all times and ensures that other individuals do not put themselves or others at risk.
• Follows all Agency guidelines on confidentiality, reporting of child abuse and neglect, and recording in case records.
• Follows all policies, procedures and legal mandates including HIPAA, client releases of information, protected health information (PHI) and client files.
• Ensures performance and behaviors support the Agency's performance quality improvement (PQI) goals and objectives.
• Reports to work on time and maintains reliable and regular attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist with State of California or License exam-ready with all hours completed and submitted to the Board of Behavior Sciences.
• Master's degree from accredited social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology program.
• Experience in providing direct service to individuals, families and groups.
• Highly skilled in assessing and diagnosing using the DSM V.
• Knowledgeable of various Evidence Based Practices that are utilized for treating depression, trauma, anxiety, behavioral issues, etc.
• Excellent computer skills. Ability to navigate Foothill Family's EHRS.
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work cooperatively as a team member.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to cultural differences.
• Valid CA Driver's License and maintains insurability on the Agency's auto liability policy (including a minimum of 2 years driving experience after receiving license) and maintains the California state required auto insurance liability limits OR maintains reliable transportation to attend all appointments, meetings as required in the position.
• Must not be excluded, suspended, debarred or otherwise made ineligible on the Federal, State or County Sanctions lists.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.