Clinical Therapist - Centralized Intake - Lancaster - Lancaster, CA

The Clinical Therapist - Centralized Intake provides timely, comprehensive, clinically sound,

and client-centered behavioral health screening and assessment services for children, youth, adults, and

families. The position conducts diagnostic assessments, evaluates risk and functional impairment,

formulates diagnoses and case conceptualizations, determines medical necessity, and recommends the

appropriate level of care and services.

Annual Salary Range

BBS Registered: $75,001-$95,000

Licensed: $85,001-$105,000

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• CLINICAL SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT: Independently conducts timely, comprehensive,

strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive clinical screenings and diagnostic

assessments. Obtains and evaluates relevant behavioral health, developmental, psychosocial, family,

medical, educational, substance-use, trauma, and systems information needed to understand clinical

presentation, functioning, strengths, and service needs.

• DIAGNOSTIC FORMULATION AND CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION: Applies current DSM diagnostic

criteria and clinical theory to formulate supported diagnoses, differential diagnoses, and case

conceptualizations. Seeks clinical consultation when presentations are complex, unclear, or require

supervisory review.

• LEVEL OF CARE: Evaluates clinical need, functional impairment, strengths, preferences, risk, and other

relevant factors to determine medical necessity and recommend the appropriate type, intensity, frequency,

and level of behavioral health service. Ensures recommendations are individualized, clinically supported,

and consistent with applicable program criteria. Uses clinical judgment and agency- or LACDMH-

designated assessment tools to support level-of-care decisions. Makes clinically appropriate referrals and

coordinates services when clients require additional, different, more intensive, or less intensive services.

Collaborates with internal and external providers to support continuity of care.

• RISK ASSESSMENT, CRISIS RESPONSE, AND LPS RESPONSIBILITIES: Maintains an active Los

Angeles County LPS designation and exercises designated authority in accordance with applicable law,

county requirements, agency policy, and scope of practice. Assesses suicide risk, self-harm, danger to

others, grave disability, abuse, neglect, exploitation, substance-related risk, and other urgent safety

concerns. Provides crisis assessment, intervention, and safety planning during scheduled work hours;

consults promptly with the Clinical Supervisor; completes mandated reporting; and coordinates with crisis

or emergency resources when necessary.

• REFERRAL AND SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS: Demonstrates sound knowledge of Masada

programs, behavioral health levels of care, community resources, and other available services. Makes

clinically appropriate internal and external service recommendations based on assessment findings,

medical necessity, client needs, strengths, preferences, eligibility, and program criteria.

• REFERRAL COORDINATION AND TRANSITION TO SERVICES: Communicates assessment findings,

clinical recommendations, and required clinical information clearly and promptly to the receiving program

or service. Collaborates with the Clinical Supervisor, program staff, referral sources, clients, caregivers,

and community partners to address barriers and support continuity of care and successful transition to

recommended services.

• DOCUMENTATION: Completes accurate, thorough, clinically appropriate, and timely documentation of

screenings, assessments, diagnoses, risk evaluations, clinical formulations, recommendations, collateral

contacts, referrals, and other required services. Ensures documentation supports medical necessity and

meets agency, LACDMH, Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services, payer, legal, and regulatory

requirements.

• ASSESSMENT AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Completes agency-required clinical assessment and

clinical outcome measures accurately and within required timelines. This includes the Level of Care

Utilization System (LOCUS) for applicable adult clients, the Integrated Practice - Child and Adolescent

Needs and Strengths (IP-CANS) for applicable children and youth, and other required outcome or clinical

measurement tools. Uses assessment and outcome information to inform clinical formulation and service

recommendations.

• PRODUCTIVITY AND TIMELINESS: Meets productivity, scheduling, documentation, and performance

expectations established for the position. Completes assigned assessments, documentation, outcome

measures, and related responsibilities within required timelines and promptly communicates barriers that

may affect quality or timely service delivery.

• FIELD-BASED AND COMMUNITY SERVICES: Provides services in office, clinic, home, school,

community, field-based, telehealth, or other approved settings according to clinical need and assigned

program requirements. Meets applicable field-based service expectations and travels independently to

service locations as necessary. Transports clients only when authorized and required by assigned program

responsibilities and agency policy.

• CLIENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT: Establishes professional rapport with clients and caregivers

and promotes meaningful participation throughout the assessment process. Explains the purpose of

assessment, obtains information respectfully and developmentally appropriately, identifies strengths, and

incorporates client preferences, cultural considerations, and family voice into recommendations.

• CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE AND TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE: Demonstrates respect for the

intrinsic value, individuality, identities, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures of clients, families,

colleagues, and community partners. Provides services using culturally responsive, trauma-informed,

strengths-based, recovery-oriented, and client- and family-centered practices. Demonstrates cultural

humility and sensitivity to the impact of trauma, systemic involvement, social determinants, and

environmental factors on behavioral health and treatment outcomes.

• CLINICAL COLLABORATION: Collaborates effectively with Masada staff and departments, including

Clinical Supervisors, Program Managers, psychiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, integrated care

management, Quality Improvement, and other teams as appropriate. Maintains professional relationships

with county agencies, schools, healthcare providers, child welfare, probation, managed care organizations,

community providers, and other involved systems.

• CLINICAL CONSULTATION AND SUPERVISION: Participates actively and punctually in individual

and group supervision, case consultation, team meetings, case presentations, training, and other required

clinical activities. Appropriately utilizes the Clinical Supervisor for diagnostic questions, complex

presentations, risk and safety concerns, mandated reporting, ethical issues, service recommendations, and

other matters requiring supervisory review.

• CLINICAL TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS: Demonstrates proficiency in the electronic health record

and agency-approved clinical platforms, including Greenspace, Eleos, iDashboards, and designated

assessment or outcome systems as applicable. Accurately enters required clinical information and uses

technology to support documentation quality, outcomes, communication, and service coordination.

• QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE, AND OUTCOMES: Participates in quality

improvement, quality assurance, documentation review, utilization review, peer review, audit, and

corrective action activities as assigned. Responds to feedback and completes required corrections within

established timelines.

• ETHICS, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Performs all responsibilities within

professional scope of practice and applicable ethical, legal, licensing, confidentiality, and regulatory

standards. Protects client rights, maintains professional boundaries, safeguards protected health

information, and demonstrates ethical decision-making.

• COMMUNICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrates effective written, verbal, interpersonal,

organizational, and problem-solving skills. Communicates clinical findings, recommendations, safety

concerns, service barriers, and follow-up needs clearly, professionally, and in a timely manner.

• TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Completes required agency, clinical, regulatory,

Evidence-Based Practice, outcome-measure, LPS, and program-specific training within established

timeframes. Maintains required professional registration or licensure, continuing education, certifications,

LPS designation, and other training requirements applicable to the position. Participates in ongoing

professional development to strengthen clinical assessment, diagnostic, treatment, crisis-response, and

level-of-care decision-making competencies.

• SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES : Supports and maintains a safe, hazard-free workplace and complies

with agency safety policies, OSHA requirements, established safety procedures, and applicable workplace

health and safety regulations. Promptly reports injuries, illnesses, hazards, unsafe conditions, or safety

incidents. Employee-related injuries or illnesses must be reported immediately to Human Resources, and

Nurse First Response (NFR) should be notified for assessment in accordance with agency procedures.

NFR is available 24/7/365 at (877) 246-8608. Promotes client and staff safety by identifying and responding

to behavioral health emergencies and seeking supervisory or emergency consultation when circumstances

exceed the clinician's role or available resources.

• OTHER DUTIES : Performs other duties consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the position

as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Program Manager, Director, or executive leadership.

Position Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling,

Psychology, or another related behavioral health field from an accredited institution.

• Current California licensure as an LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, PhD, or PsyD; or current registration with the

California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an ASW, AMFT, or APCC, as applicable.

• Valid California Driver's License, proof of automobile insurance, good driving record. Driving is an

essential function of the position.

• Must meet applicable requirements to provide Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services within

professional scope of practice.

• Work experience in a behavioral health, community mental health, assessment, diagnostic, or

comparable clinical setting preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of ongoing clinical assessment, DSM diagnostic criteria, case

conceptualization, treatment planning, psychotherapy, risk assessment, crisis intervention, safety

planning, mandated reporting, level-of-care determination, and care coordination.

• Knowledge of or ability to learn LACDMH requirements, Medi-Cal documentation standards, Specialty

Mental Health Services requirements, medical necessity standards, and behavioral health compliance

requirements.

• Knowledge of or ability to develop proficiency with LOCUS, IP-CANS, and other agency-designated

assessment, level-of-care, and outcome measurement tools applicable to assigned populations and

programs.

• Demonstrated experience with trauma-informed care, strengths-based practice, family engagement,

and culturally responsive services with children, youth, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid position requiring in-office attendance based on agency policy, department requirements,

and operational needs. The work environment is primarily an office, clinical, and remote or hybrid setting

and may include community-based locations when required by operational needs. The position may involve

contact with individuals experiencing significant behavioral health symptoms, psychiatric crises, or acute

emotional distress. Work schedules and in-office attendance are based on agency policy, department

requirements, and operational needs. This position is not assigned to the agency after-hours or on-call

rotation.