Mental Health Clinician

Job Description

Job DescriptionTitle: Mental Health Clinician
Division: Project 180 - Rapid Diversion Program
Pay Scale: $35.76-$45.05/hour
Location: San Fernando Courthouse, Los Angeles County

The Organization
SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).

The Program
The Rapid Diversion Program (RDP) is a County-operated program that diverts criminal defendants out of the criminal legal system at the early stages of the court process. The program provides in-court mental health evaluation, linkage to treatment services, and case management support to participants, whose criminal case is dismissed upon successful program completion.

The Position
The RDP Mental Health Clinician is based out of a LA County courthouse. This individual screens defendants for program suitability, formulates treatment plans, and provides ongoing clinical recommendations and expertise to the team. This position reports to the RDP Program Supervisor and actively coordinates with external stakeholders and the case management team at their courthouse. Success in this role requires working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with diverse stakeholders in pursuit of client diversion and success. The clinician would assist in covering screenings at other courthouse locations in the event of vacancies and leaves of absence.

Essential Functions
Assess potential RDP participants and make diversion recommendations to the court

• Engage potential diversion participants in services. Provide brief motivational intervention and information related to services offered through the RDP program.
• Review collateral information (i.e. discovery provided by the client’s defense attorney, mental health treatment history) and conduct a clinical interview. Assessment to include but not be limited to mental health diagnosis, readiness for change and needed community linkages.
• Formulate a diagnosis, comprehensive treatment plan and recommendations to court for potential diversion.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of behavioral health treatment resources and the LA County system of care. Establish and maintain relationships with community treatment providers and resources.
• Engage and join with collaterals (family members, court) as appropriate. Provide education related to mental health recovery to better support clients. Engage in client advocacy.
• Conduct reassessments when requested and make recommendations regarding ongoing participation in RDP and modify treatment recommendations as needed.
• Service delivery is consistent with ethical standards and a harm reduction, strength based, trauma informed framework.

Coordinate day-to-day operations with external stakeholders and case management team

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with RDP court staff, including but not limited to judges, judicial assistants and attorneys.
• Track court dates and submit thorough, high quality diversion reports per program guidelines.
• Liaise between resource navigator and case management team and court staff to support client treatment. Ensure Resource Navigators and Case Managers clearly understand the clients responsibilities for diversion so that they are able to effectively support clients and complete linkages as needed.
• Collaborate with public and private community health, mental health, and social service agencies.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record per program guidelines.
• Participate in program data collection per program guidelines.

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations

• Regular attendance required. Holiday or weekend work may be required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
• Perform other duties as needed.
• Maintain active license and/or registrations as applicable (i.e. BBS, CCAPP).
• Licensed clinicians only:
  • Participate in the Division’s 24-hour crisis line on a two-week rotating basis a few times per year (includes pay differential).
  • Maintain Los Angeles County active LPS designation.
  • Conduct clinical risk assessments and, when appropriate, facilitate psychiatric hospitalizations and/or develop safety plans.

Skills and Abilities

• Clinical Expertise: Proficient in diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, motivational interviewing, and formulation of clinical recommendations within a recovery-oriented and trauma-informed framework.
• Strong Communication Skills: Clearly conveys information to diverse stakeholders, including clients, attorneys, judges, and interdisciplinary team members, both verbally and in writing.
• Relationship-Building: Establishes trust and rapport with clients, families, court partners, and service providers to promote collaboration and client engagement.
• Cultural Competence: Demonstrates sensitivity to and respect for individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Resourcefulness: Effectively navigates the Los Angeles County system of care and identifies appropriate community-based treatment resources.
• Collaborative Approach: Works seamlessly within multidisciplinary teams and across agencies to ensure cohesive and coordinated care.
• Proactive and Self-Directed: Anticipates client and program needs, takes initiative to address challenges, and follows through on responsibilities without prompting.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, court-based environment with shifting priorities, evolving client needs, and unexpected developments.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Analyzes complex client situations, identifies barriers to success, and develops thoughtful, individualized strategies.
• Organized and Detail-Oriented: Manages documentation, court reporting, and treatment coordination with accuracy and timeliness.
• Professionalism and Boundaries: Demonstrates emotional intelligence, upholds ethical standards, and maintains appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Technologically Proficient: Comfortable using electronic health records and tracking tools to support service delivery and compliance.

Minimum Qualifications
Required:

• Master’s degree in social work or mental health field from an accredited college or university, and valid license (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC) or registration (ASW/ACSW, AMFT, APCC) with licensing body (i.e. the BBS).
• At least 1 year of clinical experience, i.e. completing biopsychosocial assessments, diagnosing, treatment planning and delivering clinical interventions.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
• Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required. Ability to transport clients in personal vehicle as needed.
• Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
• Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check
• Basic computer skills.

Preferred:

• Lived experience with homelessness, mental health/substance use recovery or the criminal legal system.
• Experience working with the forensic and/or dual-diagnosed populations.
• Experience working on an interdisciplinary team in a mental health or hospital setting.
• Knowledge of and experience with providing trauma-informed services.
• Spanish-speaking.

Supervisory Responsibilities
None

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)
Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings, including the assigned courthouse.

Physical Requirements
The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements.

Mental Requirements
The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.

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