Vista Del Mar·Los Angeles, California
The Clinician prepares goal-oriented diagnostic assessments, provides individual and group counseling, screens youth for human trafficking, offers crisis intervention, and provides clinical feedback for residents and their reunification cases. This role also involves supervising children, formulating coordinated services plans, and consulting with the treatment team regarding various systems like schools and medical services.
For over 100 years, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services (VDM) has taken great pride in providing exceptional programs and services for children and families throughout LA County. VDM envisions a community where all children and families are equipped and prepared to live productive, fulfilling lives. We serve the most vulnerable in Los Angeles, many of whom have faced multi-generational inequities. Vista Del Mar is guided by core values of empowerment, equity, and excellence.
At Vista Del Mar, our success is empowered by our staff, families, residents, and clients.
We believe in the inclusion and liberation of marginalized communities, standing in unity for justice and recognizing long-standing systemic oppression.
We acknowledge we are part of an unjust system and strongly advocate to change oppressive systems and the unconscious bias that affect staff, clients, and families in all communities.
Vista is committed to developing a culture of healing, community care, and creating a sense of belonging.
Our actions will be louder than our words.
Folks who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, of a marginalized gender, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression, and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply.
Vista Del Mar provides a trauma-responsive continuum of services to empower children, youth, and families in Southern California to lead fulfilling lives.
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The Clinician at Vista Haven prepares goal-oriented diagnostic assessments, provides individual and group counseling, screens youth for human trafficking and sexual exploitation, provides crisis intervention, and provides clinical feedback for the residents and their reunification case. Additionally, it consults with the treatment team. The position works with all systems, such as school programming, medical, etc., on behalf of each youth.
1. Supervise, protect, and care for unaccompanied children, both individually and in groups, always provides therapeutic and/or clinical coordination services to each child assigned to the clinician.
2. Assists each child in handling individual problems; meets weekly with the child and potentially with the family for individual, group, and/or family therapy.
3. Formulates and implements an overall coordinated services plan for each child in their caseload
in cooperation with the resident, family members, and/or sponsors. Completes the ORR Risk
Assessment and the Full Assessment.
4. Meets regularly with the case management team and provides insight and clinical updates in the cottage meetings for specific case reviews of each youth on their caseload.
5. Possesses and applies basic knowledge and educational background to working with individuals, groups, families, other disciplines, and community systems within, as well as outside of, Vista Del Mar.
6. Demonstrates an understanding of trauma-informed and relationship-based approach in engaging with children and their treatment team, and effectively uses this approach in their work in the unit; Maintains contact and working relationship with child and family and/or sponsor to be informed of each child’s ongoing behavioral functioning until discharge.
7. Conducts regular therapy sessions (individual, conjoint, group) with each child, possibly parent(s) and/or other significant people, in or out of the office as indicated by the treatment plan; Maintains a flexible schedule that is convenient to the youth, family, and/or sponsor
8. Thoroughly evaluates the progress of each child in weekly case staffing with the Federal Field
Specialist, Case Coordinator, Contracted Field Specialist and/or other ORR entities.
9. Adheres to all agency policies regarding paperwork requirements (Progress Notes, ISPs, discharge summaries, etc.)
10. Assists with the coordination of psychiatric hospitalization in conjunction with Program Director, Lead Clinician, and other staff, if require
11. Maintain up-to-date on policies related to mental health support per ORR regulation
12. Completes all mandated paperwork per State and county requirements
What you bring to VDM
1. A master’s in social work (MSW) or a related field, such as psychology, sociology, or another relevant behavioral science degree, plus two years of clinical experience is required.
2. A bachelor's degree plus 5 years of clinical employment experience is acceptable.
3. Must be licensed or eligible for licensure
4. Bilingual in any language preferred.
5. Ability to hear and verbally communicate with other
6. Must be able to learn/use necessary computer programs
Salary: $74,529 annual
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Our nationally recognized clinical programs have been awarded a Gold Seal by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation possible. In addition, our educational facilities are fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and our graduate degree program is recognized worldwide for its high quality of instructions.
Vista Del Mar is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Vista Del Mar will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as part of this commitment.
Candidates must possess a Master's in Social Work or a related behavioral science degree with two years of clinical experience, or a Bachelor's degree with five years of clinical employment experience. Licensure or eligibility for licensure is mandatory, and bilingual proficiency is preferred.
Market context
In California, behavioral-health roles tied to substance use disorder counseling and case management are typically supported by ongoing community and treatment-program demand. These positions are competitive because employers often look for a high school diploma, at least 2 years of SUD counseling or case management experience, and current Registered or Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor status. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit and note that professional development and paid continuing education are listed as benefits.
