LCSW Behavioral Health Therapist

Position Purpose:

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) will provide behavioral health services for our underserved patient populations providing crisis intervention, brief and longer-term counseling, some case management, triage & linkages to social services, housing linkages and other services to assist in providing comprehensive services to ensure better health and educational outcomes.

This position requires on-site work at one or more of sixteen JWCH’s Primary Care Clinics in Southern California. It may involve limited Tele-Psych for patients not in the clinic.

The LCSW is responsible for complying with all JWCH and BBS behavioral health standards, including staff productivity and patient satisfaction expectations. This position may also involve providing supervision to Associate Social Workers (ASWs) seeking licensure, for LCSWs who have been licensed for at least two years and have completed the required BBS supervision course. LCSWs may also be eligible for tuition repayment programs.

Principal Responsibilities

• Work as part of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) multidisciplinary team to ensure that patients’ clinical treatment goals and behavioral health needs are addressed. This includes participation in case conferences, chronic disease management meetings, staff consultations, and individual meetings to support quality of care.
• Conduct functional and strength-based assessments, including comprehensive clinical evaluations and diagnoses related to mental health, substance use, trauma, and psychosocial needs.
• Develop coordinated, integrated care plans that incorporate medical and psychosocial services to address patients’ social, emotional, and practical needs.
• Provide in-person and, on occasion, remote psychotherapy (via HIPAA-compliant platforms), counseling, medical case management, and psychoeducation. Services may include individual, family, and group modalities using evidence-based interventions to support coping skills, distress tolerance, stress management, mindfulness, and improved functioning.
• Utilize both short-term and longer-term interventions, as clinically appropriate and consistent with funding requirements, to address trauma, mental health symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and substance use reduction.
• Ensure that all interventions are client-centered, strength-based, and aligned with a comprehensive treatment plan developed following a thorough biopsychosocial assessment.
• Consult with primary care providers to support integrated care, enhance understanding of patient needs, and assist in the implementation of coordinated treatment plans.
• Collaborate with Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Case Management staff to coordinate care, facilitate referrals, and help reduce barriers to services.
• Participate in weekly case conferences to assist in problem solving related to patients and to ensure that professional guidance and high-quality case management services are provided.
• Participate in community meetings pertaining to the needs of JWCH patients.
• Participate in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings that are held weekly in the clinics.
• Be available as assigned to provide after-hours emergency psychiatric assistance.
• Provide phone consultation as needed.
• Rotate coverage as Officer of The Day (OOD) taking crisis calls from JWCH patients in the community or located at other clinics and programs.
• Complete all charting as required by JWCH, including assessments, progress notes, care plans, and billing documentation. Encounters must be closed by the end of each shift without exception. If supervising ASW’s those encounters should be closed within 5 days from the date of the encounter.
• Assist with provider education for integrated behavioral and primary care services
• Participate in behavioral health quality assurance/improvement activities to maintain and strengthen standards of care, in accordance with the organization CQI Plan
• If supervising ASW’s comply with all BBS requirements and ensure that ASW’s encounters are closed in a timely manner.
• Maintains assigned patient panel and meets productivity expectations. After six (6) months of employment, clinicians are expected to average approximately 7.0 encounters per 8-hour shift/day. To account for patient no-show rates, scheduling approximately 10–12 patients per day may be required to meet productivity standards.
• Adhere to all organizational safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Participate in required safety and compliance trainings and apply learned practices in daily work activities.
• Identify, report, and help mitigate unsafe conditions, incidents, or hazards in the workplace.
• Use equipment, tools, abs supplies safely and responsibly in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Maintain awareness of infection control, occupational health, and emergency preparedness procedures appropriate to the role.
• Participate in JWCH’s customer service training called AIDET on an annual basis.
• Demonstrate an understanding of AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, and Thank You) to apply in patient encounters or team discussions.
• Utilize the AIDET communication framework to communicate with patients and team members in a manner that reduces patient anxiety, increases patient compliance, and improves clinical outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned and within scope of practice.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work, social welfare, psychology from an accredited college or university.
• LCSW with current California BBS license.
• Strong desire and documented experience working with low-income underserved patients.
• Experience /knowledge in human, social, and/or behavioral health services, especially low-income underserved individuals
• Demonstrated understanding of the impact of trauma informed care, person centered care and behavioral and medical conditions impacting this population
• Knowledgeable of evidence-based treatments (DBT, CBT, Seeking Safety, Motivational Interviewing)
• Knowledge of principles, procedures, methods and techniques of mental health emergency procedures such as 5150, CPS reporting, APS reporting, and Tarasoff reporting.
• Experience working with substance abuse disorders, preferred
• Evidence of valid California Driver’s License and current Auto Insurance.
• Must be able to use EMR (NextGen) proficiently.
• Experience working in a medical setting preferred/ Bilingual (English/Spanish) ability needed

*All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce members are recommended to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Employee Benefits:

At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30+ hours per week, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums.
• Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses.
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays.
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD).
• Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more!

Become part of a team where your work matters. Apply today and help us change lives, one patient at a time.

JWCH Institute, Inc + Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Employer.