MFT/MSW Graduate Student Trainee

About Us: 

Counseling 4 Kids is a resilient community mental health agency driven by our steadfast commitment to quality care and unparalleled dedication to client engagement. At the core of our mission is a profound belief that every child deserves compassionate support and effective treatment. We prioritize our clients above all else, ensuring their needs are met with empathy and expertise.

Why Counseling4Kids? 

Our agency is not just a place of work; it's a dynamic environment where innovation, teamwork, and resilience flourish and where resilience is valued. We embrace creativity and collaboration, fostering a culture of welcoming and nurturing new ideas. Our commitment to staff well-being is paramount, providing a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where every team member can thrive and grow professionally.

As we continue to evolve and expand our services, we invite passionate mental health professionals that are currently in their graduate program and looking for a practicum site to apply for the MFT/MSW Graduate Student Trainee role at Counseling4Kids. This pivotal role offers the chance to profoundly impact the lives of children and families in our community. If you are passionate about transforming lives, driving innovation, and upholding the highest standards of care, Counseling4Kids is the place for you.

Job Summary:

MFT/MSW Graduate Student Trainee will provide comprehensive community-based therapy services to children and their families using standard therapy practices and documentation protocols according to the Department of Mental Health (DMH). The MFT/MSW Graduate Student Trainee is responsible for meeting weekly service delivery expectations, carrying a caseload of clients, dependent on service delivery, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date case records using the electronic health record system, EXYM, for all services rendered, in accordance with State of California and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.   MFT/MSW Graduate Student Trainee will be responsible for providing the following services: intake assessment (an extensive bio-psychosocial history, diagnosis, and treatment plan); individual and group psychotherapy; crisis intervention when needed; targeted case management (i.e. linkage to additional support services) as clinically indicated. Students will also participate in a multi-disciplinary team aimed at integration and collaboration. 

Duties

• Uphold the mission and core values of Counseling4Kids.
• Conducts in-office and in-school sessions with clients following their initiative in the development and achievement of their case plan goals. 
• Works collaboratively with clients and the clinical team to develop a comprehensive assessment, treatment plan and desired treatment outcomes.
  
• Participates in staff meetings, case conferences, training, and professional consultation as necessary. 
• Maintains clients’ records related to assessment, treatment, progress toward goals and objectives, discharge summary, and treatment outcomes that are accurate, concise, timely, and useful for coordinating treatment team planning, monitoring, and review.
• Clinicians are expected to conduct outreach services to facilitate the development of their caseload when caseload does not permit them to meet 225 hours of billable services of care annually, 7 hours per week.
• Provides evidenced based interventions and/or MAT based on DMH and C4K guidelines
• Attends in-person individual and group supervision at least once a week in the Trainee's home office. 
  
• Seeks guidance and remains knowledgeable of, and complies with, all applicable federal and state laws, as well as company policies that apply to assigned duties.
• Complies with the company’s and Board of Behavioral Sciences’ (BBS) expectations regarding ethical behavior and standards of conduct. 
• Prepares clinical documentation in connection with case requirements such as psycho-social assessments, treatment plans and weekly progress notes. 
• Must be able to maintain positive working collaborative relationships with family services staff. 
• Performs other job-related duties as directed by supervisor or director.  
  
• Ability to be in-office eight(8) to ten (10) hours per week during clinical hours and days (M-F) of operation.

Minimum Experience & Education Requirements

• Currently pursuing an MSW, MFT, MPCC or MA in related field. Be approved for field work/practicum placement by department director. 
• Must have a reliable automobile for use on the job (mileage will be reimbursed). Valid California Driver License. State required automobile insurance coverage. 
• Successfully pass all post offer, pre-employment screening requirements, including criminal background check, drug test and provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States. 
• Ability to nurture respectful relationships with families and children and be sensitive to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics. 
• Knowledge of child abuse/crisis intervention techniques. 
• Good communication and interpersonal skills. 
• TB test clearance (to be renewed every two years). 
  

Preferred Experience Requirements

• Bilingual English/Spanish required. English proficiency supporting professional-level verbal and written communication to children, parents and agency staff members required.
• Preferred experience working with low-income children and families. 
• Leadership skills desired with some foundational knowledge of human development and family dynamics. 

Physical Demands:  

Must be able to remain in a stationary (stand/sit) position at least 50% of the time. This person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, fax machine, and computer printer. Frequently communicates with staff, clients, families and other community organizations and must be able to exchange accurate information in-person, via video conferencing, or over the phone. Frequently will need to hear and understand speech at normal room levels and hear and understand speech on the telephone. Occasionally will need to lift and carry up to 15 pounds. May occasionally require bending, stooping, push/pull, squatting, twisting, turning, and reaching. Considerable walking may be involved.    

Mental acuity to perform the essential functions of this position in an accurate and timely fashion; to make good judgments and decisions; and to evaluate the results of decisions and judgments 

Working Conditions:  

Work is performed in an office, clinic, home, school, or community environments. Will require frequent travel to the home, school, or community environment. Continuous contact with agency staff and the public. Regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions when out in the community. 

Note: This list of essential functions and physical requirements is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary in accordance with the requirements of the job. Counseling4Kids adheres to the provisions of ADA regarding reasonable accommodation procedures. For further information regarding Counseling4Kids’ ADA accommodation process, please contact Human Resources at HR@counseling4kids.org  

EEO Statement:  

Counseling4Kids provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Counseling4Kids complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.  

Counseling4Kids expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Counseling4Kids’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.