Mental Health Worker

Mcalister-Institute; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays incl. birthday

12 paid vacation days

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

403(b) Retirement Plan + 6% match

Health Insurance after 30 days

EAP

Job summary

McAlister Institute is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Worker to join our recovery-focused team in San Diego. The role focuses on individual and group counseling for clients with co-occurring disorders, developing personalized recovery plans, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive care.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in a relevant field and is license-eligible with the CA BBS or Psychology Board, with at least one year of co-occurring service

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in MFT, Social Work or Psychology from an accredited program.
• License-eligible status and registration with CA BBS or Board of Psychology (APCC/ACSW/AMFT; Psychology Associate).
• License-eligible practitioners must be in supervision and in good standing for 3+ years at hire.
• Psychological Assistants must be registered or eligible for registration.
• At least 1 year of co-occurring services experience and strong engagement skills.
• Experience with vulnerable populations including those with substance use and mental health challenges.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health interventions, including individual and group counseling.
• Assist in developing and implementing personalized treatment and recovery plans.
• Conduct assessments and monitor client progress.
• Maintain accurate documentation of client interactions and progress.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care.
• Educate clients and families about substance use disorders, recovery and mental health resources.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, or Psychology

Tools

EHR Systems (Welligent/SmartCare)

Microsoft Office

Job description

About this position

Join McAlister Institute, a 49-year beacon in San Diego's Recovery Community.

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Mental Health Worker, registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) or the Board of Psychology, to join our McAlister team. The ideal candidate will have experience working with diverse populations in outpatient programs. As a Mental Health Worker, you will work closely with individuals struggling with substance use, facilitate therapeutic interventions, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to create personalized recovery plans.

Benefits for YOU:

• 13 paid annual holidays, including your birthday; 12 paid vacation days, paid sick leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• 403(b) Retirement Plan + up to 6% Employer Match
• Health Insurance available the first of the month following 30 days of employment (Sharp)
• EAP

Key Responsibilities:

• Uphold and promote the mission, philosophy, values, and direction of McAlister Institute.
• Report directly to the Program Manager and receive supervision from the Clinical Supervisor.
• Provide mental health interventions, including individual and group counseling for clients with co-occurring disorders.
• Assist in the development and implementation of personalized treatment and recovery plans.
• Conduct assessments and monitor clients’ progress in their recovery journey.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions and progress.
• Facilitate therapeutic activities that promote coping skills, relapse prevention, and emotional well‑being.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care, including referrals to additional resources as needed.
• Educate clients and their families about substance use disorders, recovery and coping strategies, and mental health resources.
• Perform other assigned duties as needed.

Salary Information

$25 - $42Hourly Wage

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, or Psychology from an accredited graduate program.
• License-eligible status and registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology required (APCC, ACSW, AMFT; Psychology Associate).
• License-eligible practitioners must participate in supervision and be in good standing, clear of disciplinary actions for a minimum of three years at the date of hire.
• Psychological Assistants must be registered with the Board of Psychology or eligible for registration.
• At least one year of providing co-occurring services. Strong understanding of engagement, outreach, and motivational interviewing techniques.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals with substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
• Compliance with all agency and contract requirements related to trainings, public health, certifications, and reporting.
• Strong paperwork and computer skills, with exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team, with excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Maintains knowledge of legal guidelines pertaining to EMTALA/COBRA and abuse/neglect reporting.
• Knowledgeable about harm reduction, trauma-informed care, patient-centered care, and motivational interviewing.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population, including the impoverished, unhoused, and those suffering from chronic substance use and/or mental health challenges.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication, adaptability, and professionalism.
• Exudes a calm and competent manner, able to converse with medical professionals, lay persons, as well as persons or families and defuse crisis or high intensity situations.
• Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Proficient with EHR Systems (e.g., Electronic Health Records such as Welligent or SmartCare).
• Maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; effectively regulates emotions, especially under stress; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English strongly preferred.
• Must possess a valid and unrestricted California Driver's License, with a good driving record, free of any major infractions.
• On-site position.
• Ability to pass all pre-employment screening, including references, education verification, a criminal background check with at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

McAlister Institute is committed to creating a diverse environment and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, any other non-job-related factors, and other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal anti-discrimination law covering employment.

Reasonable Accommodations:

McAlister Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the [e-mail]., for more information. Please include your name and position you are applying for.

Work Authorization Requirement:

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. McAlister Institute does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Pre-Employment:

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from McAlister Institute employment as we are subject to County of San Diego contractual hiring requirements). A pre-employment physical examination, and post-offer background check is required. Candidates must have at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.

General Information & Considerations:

Placement on the pay range is based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, relevant years of experience and qualifications.

Current McAlister Institute employees may receive priority consideration for positions when they meet essential qualifications.