Health & Wellness Substance Use Therapist

Job details
Here’s how the job details align with your profile.
Pay

$64,999 - $74,999 a year
Job type

Full-time
Shift and schedule

On call
Encouraged to apply
Fair chance
 
Benefits
Pulled from the full job description
403(b)
Health insurance
Cell phone reimbursement
 
Full job description
Description:
JOB TITLE: Health & Wellness Substance Use Therapist

REPORTS TO: Clinical Supervisor

SCHEDULE: Sunday - Thursday (9:00am-5:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice, CA

STATUS: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, Exempt

CELL PHONE: Monthly reimbursement

DRIVER POSITION: Yes [if yes, please reference driving policy]

ANNUAL SALARY: $64,999 - $74,999 Annually

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

A member of the Clinical Team, the Harm Reduction Therapist will support the growth and development

of SPY’s clinical programming by offering individual and group therapy and specialized substance use

services utilizing a harm reduction approach. The therapist will support members in meeting their goals,

improving health and wellness, and building community connections. The ideal candidate will have a

strong commitment to social justice, clinical experience working with transitional age youth, skills in

providing trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and experience working with individuals experiencing

homelessness.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Work collaboratively to develop, innovate, and grow SPY’s clinical services through providing
holistic substance use and mental health services to promote health and wellness.
Provide in-person therapeutic services at our drop-in Center (Venice, CA) and housing sites through both individual and group therapy with a specialization in substance use and harm reduction.
Develop and facilitate programming to build community, expand social support, reduce stigma, support safe use practices, prevent overdose, increase knowledge around substance use, and provide recovery groups.
Participate in the On-Call Clinician rotation during drop-in hours, completing risk assessments and safety plans when clinically indicated.
Facilitate and document comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and verification of disability assessments using a person-centered approach.
Collaborate with members to develop treatment plans designed to meet member identified goals, utilize clinically appropriate trauma-informed interventions, and document progress.
Build relationships with other providers and serve as a liaison between the clinical department and partnering agencies to assist in building a robust continuum of care for members seeking
support around substance use and/or mental health.
Attend relevant community convenings and collaborate with community connections to enhance services.
Provide clinical case management as needed, including referrals to detox, residential treatment,
intensive outpatient (IOP) programs and other levels of care.
Contribute to SPY clinical case conferences.
Complete clinical documentation, activity tracking, outcome surveys, and reporting in a timely
fashion.
Facilitate member accountability meetings and collaborate to develop appropriate support and safety plans utilizing a restorative justice approach.
Ensure therapeutic services with youth are strengths based, non-judgmental, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and utilize harm reduction.
Work collaboratively across internal departments and assist with general SPY programming as needed.
Conduct staff training and presentations to increase knowledge of substance use and appropriate clinical practice.
Work within established legal and ethical guidelines.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program, department, and organization.
Requirements:
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Education: Master’s degree in a mental health-related field such as Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling.
Registered as an ASW, AMFT, or APCC or licensed with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
At least 2 years of experience providing direct clinical services with expertise in principles of substance use treatment and harm-reduction, and skill in crisis management and rapport building.
Knowledge of adolescent and young adult social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Assessment skills and knowledge of mental health and substance use diagnosing using a whole person care and culturally sensitive approach.
Ability to work and communicate effectively with transitional age youth and with a multidisciplinary team.
Commitment to inclusive and restorative justice practices, anti-racism, and trauma-informed care.
A commitment to and passion for the mission, vision, values, and culture of SPY.
A self-starter who is prepared to drive innovative solutions for an emerging organization and an openness to learning.
An ability to work in a fast- paced environment that requires effective collaboration with a variety of individuals, departments, and organizations.
Excellent communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
Knowledge of child and dependent adult abuse
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors
Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Effective August 9, 2021, the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers, paid or unpaid, in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot, proof of booster is also required. If not fully vaccinated, weekly COVID-19 testing is necessary depending on the program. Please submit proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, please get in touch with HR at the same email address. It's important to note that these accommodations are limited.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:

Suspended or revoked license
Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
Any violations, including drugs, alcohol, controlled substances, within the past 24 months
Reckless driving, including hit and runs, within the past 24 months
At fault accidents, resulting in fatality or serious injury, within the past 5 years
The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individual's employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-driver-record-request/

For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and SPY, as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill, job knowledge, motivation, and attitude to become a regular member of the SPY staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment, performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However, completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the “at-will” employment status. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and SPY has the same right. The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage, 403b with agency contribution, and vacation/sick time. We also offer unique perks including weekly meditation/mindfulness and professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

EEO STATEMENT:

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application