Clinician, TrueLife Recovery (Bilingual)

Lifeline Community Services, Inc.; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

Mileage reimbursement

Paid parental and bereavement leave

Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

Job summary

Lifeline Community Services in San Diego County seeks a TrueLife Recovery Clinician (LPHA) to deliver evidence-based counseling for co-occurring disorders and substance abuse. You will run individual, group, and family therapy, guided by trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches, and collaborate with SUD counselors on care planning.

The role requires bilingual English/Spanish, strong crisis response skills, and a commitment to cultural competency across diverse populations.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in counseling, social work or related field.
• Licensed LMFT, LCSW, LPCC or registered AMFT/ASW/APCC.
• At least 1 year of experience with co-occurring and/or substance abuse services.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Knowledge of CBT, DBT, Seeking Safety, or TF-CBT approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provides screening for new clients with co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Determines initial medical necessity for admission with a face-to-face interaction if SUD Counselor completed intake.
• Provides clinical/recovery services and conducts mental health assessments.
• Determines ongoing medical necessity by completing Diagnosis Determination Note and Justification for Continuing Services.
• Works with SUD Counselors to complete Level of Care (LOC) and individualized Treatment Plans.
• Provides psycho-educational groups to assist clients with co-occurring disorders to manage symptoms.
• Utilizes ASAM and other assessments for bio-psychosocial evaluations.
• Conducts groups, individual counseling, and family therapy following evidence-based models.
• Delivers SUD educational groups on physiology, psychology, social effects and coping strategies.
• Provides job preparation, education and discussion groups as indicated in treatment plans.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Crisis intervention

Strong written/verbal communication

Interpersonal sensitivity

Education

Master's degree in counseling, social work or related field

Licensed LMFT, LCSW, LPCC or registered AMFT/ASW/APCC

Job description

Clinician, TrueLife Recovery

Bilingual Required

About Lifeline Community Services

Lifeline Community Services is a premier nonprofit organization in San Diego County, dedicated to empowering individuals and families to achieve self-reliance and long-term stability. Our diverse service portfolio spans housing, behavioral health, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives, operating across multiple locations.

Position Overview

Lifeline Services is hiring a mental health clinician to support our growing team. The TrueLife Recovery Clinician, under the supervision of the TrueLife Recovery Program Manager, serves as the Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) and is responsible for the coordination of and delivery of clinical co-occurring and substance abuse services. The TLR Clinician will deliver individual, group, and family therapy services through a number of Evidence Based Practices (EBP)-via a strengths-based, trauma- informed perspective. The TLR Clinician will provide substance abuse and psychoeducational groups encompassing a variety of topics related to life domains, relapse prevention strategies and coping skills

Key Responsibilities

• Provides screening for new clients with co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Determines initial medical necessity for admission with a face-to-face interaction if SUD Counselor completed intake.
• Provides clinical/recovery services and conducts mental health assessments.
• Determines ongoing medical necessity by completing Diagnosis Determination Note, and Justification for Continuing Services within County timelines.
• Works closely with SUD Counselors to complete Level of Care (LOC) and individualized Treatment Plans within County timelines.
• Provides psycho-educational groups to assist clients with co-occurring disorders to manage mental health symptoms and the interaction of those symptoms with urges to use substances.
• Provides holistic client assessment through the use of approved instruments: Addiction Severity Index (ASI) Lite, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), and the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) for justice involved individuals.
• Utilizes the ASAM, the risk and needs assessment tool, to complete a comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment.
• Conducts groups, individual counseling, and family therapy sessions with content and approach following evidence- based practice models for substance use disorder counseling and criminogenic risk factors, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions, and Relapse Prevention.
• Provides SUD educational groups that address at least the following areas: SUD physiological effects, SUD psychological effects, SUD social effects, SUD pharmacological aspects, characteristics of families with SUD problems, wellness, diet and exercise.
• Provides job preparation, education and discussion groups to all clients needing these services as indicated on their Individual Treatment Plans.
• Provides family violence education, discussion groups and individual counseling sessions to clients needing these services as indicated on their Individual Treatment Plans, and assists with referrals if needed.
• Provides Tobacco Cessation education and nicotine testing to clients needing these services as indicated on their Individual Treatment Plans, and assists with referrals if needed.
• Completes all other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• Master's degree in counseling, social work or related field
• Licensed LMFT, LCSW, LPCC or registered AMFT/ASW/APCC.
• Must possess knowledge of and experience in substance abuse assessment and counseling including possessing at least 1 year experience working with co-occurring and/or substance abuse services.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Demonstrated knowledge, training, and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Interventions, DBT, Seeking Safety, or TF-CBT Approach highly desired.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate the interpersonal sensitivity and cultural competency needed for working with diverse populations.
• Be able to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations.
• Must have good driving record and willing to use own, properly insured, reliable vehicle for the job (mileage reimbursed).
• Employment subject to clearances, including background fingerprinting checks, driving record, tuberculosis testing, and drug testing.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Primarily based at North County Middle Schools and North County High Schools
• Requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods
• Involves routine movement throughout school facilites
• Occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 40 pounds
• Travel within San Diego County as needed, requiring the use of a personal vehicle
• Dynamic school environment with frequent interaction with students, faculty, and staff

Comprehensive Benefits:

• Competitive compensation and full employer paid benefits package, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision
  • Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).
• Paid parental and bereavement leave of up to 80 hours for qualifying events
• Mileage reimbursement

Professional Growth Opportunities:

• Access to training programs and leadership development resources
• Opportunities to contribute to innovative programs and initiatives that make a tangible difference

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

North County Lifeline DBA Lifeline Community Services ("Lifeline") is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, and discrimination is not tolerated. We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their best selves to work. We adhere to all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

In California, we extend these protections to include ancestry, medical condition, genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), familial status, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, and age (40 and above) among others, recognizing and valuing the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that all individuals bring to our team.

Lifeline is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) by providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and by ensuring that our employment practices do not discriminate against any individual.

We believe that diversity fuels innovation and creativity, and we are dedicated to building a team that reflects a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Lifeline's success is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and the collective contributions of all our employees.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Lifeline expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on any of the protected characteristics mentioned above.

Lifeline's leadership is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion and ensuring that our employment environment is free from discrimination and harassment. All employees are encouraged to report any instances of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in violation of this policy to a supervisor, HR representative, or through our reporting email.

By embracing diversity and promoting equality, Lifeline not only complies with all relevant legislation but also creates a richer, more vibrant work environment for all our employees.

Accommodations and Accessibility Statement

Lifeline Community Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and other applicable laws, Lifeline will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the organization.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] as soon as possible. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, assistance with completing the application process, providing documents in an accessible format, or arranging for an accessible interview location.

Our goal is to ensure that all individuals have equal access to opportunities and are able to perform their job duties safely and effectively. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all employees can thrive.

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients and maintaining the integrity of our workplace, North County Lifeline conducts comprehensive background and drug screening processes for all prospective employees. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Driving Record Check: Verification through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure a good standing driving record.
• Employment Verification: Confirmation of your employment history to verify your experiences and qualifications.
• Reference Checks: Contacting provided references to gain insights into your work ethic, professionalism, and suitability for the role.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Screening: A TB test to ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff, in line with public health recommendations.
• Drug Screening: A 10-panel non-DOT drug test to screen for the presence of common illicit substances, ensuring a drug-free workplace.
• Criminal Background Checks: Comprehensive checks through the Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and Child Abuse Index to identify any history that may impact your suitability for employment, particularly in roles involving vulnerable populations.

These screenings are a vital part of our hiring process and must be successfully completed for employment eligibility. North County Lifeline is dedicated to fair and responsible hiring practices and ensures that all screenings are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, respecting the privacy and rights of all candidates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this process, aimed at creating a safe and productive work environment for everyone.