Mental Health Worker

NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC.; Chula Vista (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation, Sick Time

403B Plan

LA Fitness family programs discount

CRUNCH Fitness discounts

Job summary

NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC. operates South Bay Clinic in Chula Vista, providing mental health services to youth ages 11-18 at a residential facility.

The role supports therapists and engages youth in individual and group settings, with Medi-Cal documentation and crisis support as needed. Eligible candidates will have a Bachelor’s in behavioral sciences and experience in mental health; bilingual skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in behavioral sciences required.
• Experience in a mental health setting is required.
• Bilingual/Bicultural is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build therapeutic relationships with clients to heal trauma and set healthy boundaries.
• Encourage positive participation in school and residential treatment.
• Assist in shaping client behavior through positive reinforcement.
• Document rehab services for Medi-Cal billing and progress tracking.
• Engage youth in life skills training and resilience-building activities.
• Collaborate with therapists, county personnel, and caregivers.
• Be available to assist with crisis assessment and intervention.
• Participate in supervision, meetings, and trainings.
• Demonstrate competency and utilize evidence-based practices.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Rapport building

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Sciences

Job description

Schedule: Monday-Friday 11:00am-7:00 pm (working FREE lunch with youth)

Do you want to work where you can make an invaluable impact on a teen who is struggling? Do you have a passion for helping youth navigate their world and make positive changes in their lives?

AND if you are considering going back to school to get a Master's in Marriage & Family Therapy, Social Work or Counseling, this role offers excellent real-world clinical experience and paid internships!!

New Alternatives, Inc. is a private nonprofit agency that has provided a wide range of services to children, youth and families in San Diego and Orange Counties since 1978. Therapeutic services include residential, outpatient, day treatment, crisis support, and in-home support services.

South Bay Clinic is an outpatient clinic that provides mental health services to youth ages 11-18 who reside onsite at the residential facility in Chula Vista. SBC serves clients primarily referred through Child and Family Well-being (CFWB) or Probation.

Responsibilities

• Build therapeutic relationships with the clients in order to encourage the healing of past relationship traumas and the development of healthy boundaries.
• Encourage and foster positive participation in school and the residential treatment program
• Assist in shaping client behavior through positive reinforcement and teach replacement behaviors for their mental health symptoms.
• Document rehab services through Medi-Cal billing for the purpose of tracking youth’s progress, engagement, and high-risk needs.
• Engage youth in life skills training, skill building, cultural humility, and increasing coping skills in individual and group settings
• Collaborate with therapists, county personnel, caregivers, and other individuals involved in the client’s treatment.
• Remain available to assist with crisis assessment and intervention, as needed.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, CFTs, and case consultation
• Participate in trainings, exhibit competency, and utilize evidence-based & promising practices, as deemed appropriate

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in the area of behavioral sciences.
• Experience in a mental health setting is required.
• Bilingual/Bicultural is a plus.

Preferred Qualities

• Creative and able to engage adolescents with challenging behaviors
• Effective crisis intervention and critical thinking skills
• Strong Organizational skills, strong communication skills, and able to work independently
• Knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed care and resiliency practices is a plus
• Excellent medical and dental benefits
• Vacation, Sick Time
• 403B Plan
• Family Fit Program through LA Fitness & Discounts at CRUNCH Fitness
• Extensive training and promotional opportunities
• Great clinical experience and training if you are considering a master's degree, paid internships available!
• $21-24 an hour, to start, based on education, experience and language capability