Position Summary
The STRTP Clinician provides individual, family, and group therapeutic services and case management support to youth and non-minor dependents residing in 7 Alpha's Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program. The Clinician coordinates care for residents with significant mental health, trauma, and child welfare or juvenile justice histories that affect their ability to stabilize and reunify with family or transition successfully to a lower level of care. Services are delivered on-site and in the community, with an emphasis on trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and affirming practice for the diverse populations served across Los Angeles County, including LGBTQIA+ youth. The Clinician works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, the youth's natural supports, and county partners to ensure coordinated progress toward each resident's treatment goals.
Primary Job Duties
- Provide individual, family, and group therapy to assigned residents in accordance with each youth's Client Care Coordination Plan (CCP) and treatment goals.
- Meet with residents and their natural supports on a weekly basis to advance treatment planning and reunification or permanency goals.
- Convene and participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings to develop individualized treatment plans and strengthen natural support systems.
- Coordinate and implement overall treatment and services for assigned clients, including linkage to psychiatric, medical, educational, and community-based services.
- Provide clinical consultation and case planning support to Mental Health Workers and other direct care staff.
- Intervene in and support the implementation of residents' behavior support and de-escalation plans, consistent with trauma-informed and least-restrictive practices.
- Complete and maintain clinical documentation, including progress notes, mental health assessments, treatment plans, incident reports, and other records in compliance with Medi-Cal/EPSDT documentation standards and CDSS/DCFS STRTP requirements.
- Participate in the program's crisis response system, including after-hours on-call rotation as assigned.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with DCFS, probation, regional center, education, and other community partners involved in residents' care.
- Participate actively in individual and group clinical supervision.
- Apply a culturally responsive, strengths-based, and affirming lens to clinical work with youth from diverse racial, ethnic, immigration, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds.
- Maintain professional conduct at all times, representing the agency's mission, values, and STRTP program philosophy.
- Attend all required trainings, staff meetings, and licensing-related activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Clinical Program Director or agency leadership.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Psychology, or related behavioral health field required.
- Registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an ASW, AMFT, or APCC required.
- Current Department of Justice (DOJ)/FBI fingerprint clearance (Community Care Licensing) required.
- Valid California driver's license, reliable transportation, and insurability required.
- Experience working with youth in out-of-home care, foster care, or juvenile justice systems strongly preferred.
- Experience with crisis assessment, de-escalation, and behavioral intervention strongly preferred.
- Experience with Medi-Cal/EPSDT clinical documentation and billing standards preferred.
- Knowledge of STRTP, CalAIM, and DCFS/Probation systems of care a plus.
- Bilingual (Spanish or other languages relevant to LA County communities) preferred, not required.
- Demonstrated cultural competency and commitment to affirming, intersectional practice, including LGBTQIA+-affirming care.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in office and community settings.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Willingness and ability to respond to crisis situations, including outside of standard business hours as needed.
Core Competencies
- Problem Solving — Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops sound alternative solutions.
- Collaboration & Customer Service — Responds promptly to the needs of residents, families, staff, and county partners; solicits feedback to improve services; meets commitments.
- Teamwork — Contributes to a positive, supportive team culture within the STRTP milieu.
- Planning & Organization — Prioritizes and manages a caseload effectively; uses time efficiently; develops realistic treatment timelines.
- Adaptability — Adjusts approach to meet the needs of individual residents and changing program demands; manages crises calmly.
- Cultural Responsiveness — Integrates culturally and identity-affirming approaches into clinical practice, including for LGBTQIA+, immigrant, and other underserved populations.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Regularly talk, hear, sit, and use a computer for extended periods.
- Occasionally stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, or reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to respond physically and verbally to crisis or de-escalation situations.
- Occasionally drive to community sites, meetings, or court appearances during day and evening hours.
- Work indoors and outdoors, in a residential milieu setting, under conditions that may include escalated youth behaviors.
Equal Opportunity Statement
7 Alpha Foundation for Community Wellness is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions, evaluations, and compensation are based on qualifications and job performance, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. All staff, consultants, and volunteers are screened in accordance with Community Care Licensing and agency standards.
