Clinical Associate

ABOUT LA CHEIM

La Cheim has been providing a robust continuum of care for nearly 50 years to help children and adults who were previously unreachable. Our non-public school, community mental health center, therapeutic behavioral services program, and Short-Term Residential Treatment Program offer educational and mental health services throughout Alameda and Contra Costa County. 

Our team is made up of teachers, art therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, RNs, social workers, MFTs, and mentors who are known for their caliber and compassion. They create life-changing experiences for those they serve. All La Cheim programs embrace and apply a Trauma-Informed approach to addressing emotional and behavioral issues.

By joining La Cheim you will be part of a supportive community serving an inspiration mission. You will enjoy rich benefits, valuable training and wellness opportunities, close support, and room to grow. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

La Cheim Behavioral Health Services is a non-profit community mental health center that provides a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adults, as well as some outpatient services for all ages. We are currently in person 5 days a week and 5 days a week virtually – Our patients choose whether to attend in person or online. The work consists of providing and documenting client-centered and strengths-based individual and group therapy, with a short-term stabilization focus, to a population of severely and persistently mentally ill adult patients. This position is a 2 or 3-day, 16-24 hours per week paid position and provides individual and group supervision. Some on-site work is expected in this position. 

Clinical Associates must be available Thursdays from 3:00 – 5:00 pm (mandatory), the other mandatory day is Friday, the 3rd day could be flexible.

The facilitation of an After-Hours Help Line is on a rotating evening schedule and it provides additional hours of paid, supervised client contact. Associates working less than full time qualify for sick leave benefits only, and do not qualify for any other benefits including holidays or health care. A one-year commitment is being asked. 

$30 an hour starting pay.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

1. Must have a valid California Driver License and car insurance
2. Must be able to pass all required tests and clearances (Live Scan (DOJ, FBI, Guardian) TB test, etc.)
3. Previous history with or strong expressed interest in working with adults with severe mental illness. 
4. Previous history with or strong expressed interest in providing group therapy. 
5. Familiarity with mental health charting and basic computer skills. 
6. Good time management and organizational abilities. 
7. Ability to work well independently and collaboratively in a treatment team. 
8. Registered AMFT or APCC with Board of Behavioral Sciences within California. 

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES

1. Functions as a “team player,” prioritizing the organization’s best interests
2. Proactively identifies opportunities for improvement and ways to contribute
3. Exhibits creativity, adaptability, openness, and a high level of professionalism
4. Possesses strong organizational and interpersonal skills
5. Maintains confidentiality with discretion
6. Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills
7. Works effectively independently and pays close attention to detail
8. Collaborates well with other agency staff
9. Outstanding organizational and time management abilities.
10. Exhibit a strong professional commitment and represent La Cheim effectively while engaging with the community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The following is the extent of the specific activity required for this position:

1. Stairs – climbing stairs up to 50-100 – up to 2-4 hours, not continuously.
2. Sitting – up to 2 hours, not continuously; standing – up to 4 hours, not continuously
3. Walking – up to 2 hours, not continuously; bending over – up to 1 hour, not continuously.
4. Crawling – up to 0 hours; climbing – up to 0 hours, reaching overhead – up to a few minutes.
5. Crouching – up to ½ hour, not continuously; kneeling – up to a few minutes
6. Balancing – up to 0 hours; pushing or pulling – up to a few minutes.
7. Lifting or carrying – 25 pounds or less; repetitive use of feet – up to 0 hours
8. Repetitive use of hands – up to 0 hours
9. Grasping – with one or both, simple and firm, for up to 1 hour, not continuously
10. Fine dexterity - either hand up to 1 hour, not continuously Auditory and visual acuity – 8 hours within normal limits and maybe with glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids.
11. Driving cars and vans; Exposure to uneven concrete and blacktop
12. Exposure to normal dust, heat, and noise
13. Exposure to emotionally disturbed students who may be physically and verbally violent and require safe physical management.
14. Frequent exposure to office equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. After Training, Associate Therapist would be providing and documenting in-person and tele-health individual and group therapy, including:
   1. Establishing positive therapeutic rapport 
   2. Establishing and holding a therapeutic group format and structure 
   3. Maintaining a full group schedule either as lead facilitator or co-facilitator or shadowing groups, with the aim of developing the skills and confidence to facilitate a variety of therapeutic groups and didactic groups 
   4. Attention to group dynamics with competent interventions that maintain group cohesion and safety when issues arise 
   5. Strict observance of HIPAA confidentiality requirements 
   6. Comprehensive suicide and risk assessment, documentation, and appropriate follow through 
   7. Creating patient-centered treatment plans and regular documented updates 
   8. Documenting collaboration with the internal patient-centered treatment team for each assigned patient 
   9. Documenting collaboration with outside providers and/or caregivers for each assigned patient 
   10. Documenting discharge planning for continuation of patient stability and care for each assigned patient 
   11. Providing and documenting at least one full session of individual and/or family therapy per week for assigned patients 
   12. Case managing absences, unusual problems, or behavior negatively affecting milieus for all assigned patients 
   13. Follow through with safely referring patient to higher level of care, including hospitalization and/or 5150 involuntary commitments, when needed 
2. On scheduled days being on duty is 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (with ½ hour lunch break) and employee actively participates in clinical meetings, assigned trainings, and individual and group supervision, including: 
   1. Morning and afternoon daily staff meetings where critical information is exchanged 
   2. Weekly individual supervision 
   3. Weekly group supervision 
   4. All training and work-related readings/course work as assigned. 
   5. Reliable and timely (same day) responses to email requests from supervisors 
   6. Facilitation of staff meetings on a rotating basis 
3. Participates in creating a warm and welcoming and trauma-informed patient and workplace milieu, including 
   1. Respectful sensitivity to diverse cultural, ethnic and personal identities of patients and co-workers 
   2. Willingness to learn and improve interpersonal skills as needed 
   3. Engaging with patients in a friendly and supportive manner in the patient milieu,  
   4. Awareness of stages of change and meeting patients “where they are at” 
   5. Awareness and use of coworkers’ and patients’ pronouns 
   6. Speaking respectfully about patients, their struggles and symptoms, always (even behind closed doors) 
   7. Addressing any problems with co-workers directly and respectfully, or bringing any problem to relevant supervisor for resolution, to promote an environment of true collegial support and trust. 
   8. Avoid probing patient trauma history, especially if it is already recorded elsewhere in the record but also be prepared to listen and absorb non-reactively to what patient wants to share.   
   9. Refrain from sharing your political or religious affiliation, or any other potentially controversial opinions or beliefs with patients, unless it would be clearly of clinical benefit, e.g. to establish therapeutic rapport based on cues from patient 
4. Meet documentation deadlines and requirements
   1. Group and individual progress notes must be completed the same day as treatment was provided. 
   2. Initial treatment plans must be discussed with patient and documentation completed within 7 days of the day of admission
   3. Discharge Summary for most insurance companies must be completed same day as discharge, or the very next business day 
   4. Kaiser Insurance patient weekly summary reports are due on the tracking spreadsheet by 9:30 am Tuesdays 
5. Productivity Measures
   1. Once initial training is completed, usually at about 2-3 weeks, the expectation is that about 50% of Clinical Associates time is spent in Direct Patient Contact.   Specifically, the group and client workload expectation is as follows: 
      1. At 16 hours/week - 4 groups and 4 clients
      2. At 24 hours/week – 7 groups and 5 clients

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Complete all required trainings as assigned
2. Attend all mandatory meetings
3. Meet regularly for individual oversight with supervisor(s)
4. Other duties may be required as La Cheim continues its development. Employees are expected to be flexible and responsive to changes in the scope of duties.
5. Understand and embody La Cheim's philosophy, organizational culture, and communication channels by practicing a collaborative approach.
6. Complete any additional tasks assigned by the Supervisor, Department Head, and/or CEO

Salary : $30