Team-Based Care Mental Health Clinician

WestCoast Children’s Clinic, located in Oakland, California, is a non-profit community psychology clinic that provides mental health services to Bay Area children, youth and families. Working at WestCoast Children’s Clinic means being part of an organization that is client-centered, trauma-informed, collaborative, and committed to justice and equity. 

EMPOWR (EMbracing, Progress and Opportunities, We Rise) aims to support transitional aged youth (TAY, 16-24) attain mental health support, housing stability, employment and education gains, and community connections. The program provides community-based therapy, case management and care coordination, and peer and family support through a team-based model. The whole team collaborates on one shared caseload, providing youth with an entire team of support, and allowing staff to share in the successes and challenges of their clients.

Who are we?

West Coast Children’s Clinic (WCC) aims to improve the well-being of children and families who live at the intersection of racism, poverty, and systemic indifference. Working here means being part of an organization that is client-centered, trauma-informed, collaborative, and committed to justice and equity. We integrate direct service, training, policy, and research to root our work in the experiences of children and families and advocate for system changes that will improve the lives of young people

EMPOWR Clinicians deliver community-based, intensive strategies to address any current need for stabilization, crisis intervention, and individual trauma-focused treatment while coordinating care within a team-based setting. 

EMPOWR Mental Health Clinicians provide:

• Community-based trauma-informed psychotherapy and intensive clinical case management to TAYs (transitional age youth) struggling with independent living and transitioning into adulthood
• Intensive mental health services and clinical case management as part of a collaborative service team 
• Individual or family intensive mental health services and clinical case management as part of a collaborative service team
• Mental health screening to assess cognitive, emotional and social functioning and needs; facilitate the identification and engagement in mental health service
• Risk assessments, crisis intervention, stabilization, and safety plans
• Coordinated services with other agencies and resources to address youth's needs, including housing, medical, mental health, education, employment, independent living skills, advocacy, placement stability, and enrichment activities. 
• Stabilization and comprehensive care to Alameda County foster youth and young adults in a milieu environment as they await and prepare for transition to foster placements.

Benefits:

• 100% Employer-paid medical and a variety of different plans (base plan, Kaiser HMO), dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees
• Quarterly and annual incentive compensation plans, generous retirement plan contribution
• Bilingual pay differential for qualified candidates (10% of yearly salary)
• 403b retirement plan with ROTH and 403b contribution options
• Flex-spending options - Medical, Dependent Care and Commuter Plans
• Three weeks of PTO in year one (additional PTO accrual with increased years of service)
• 12 Paid Holidays per year, plus 4 days of Self-Care Leave
• Professional development stipend
• Weekly supervision and case conference
• CEUs for trainings
• Wellness Stipend ($100 per month), which can be used on a variety of expenses related to self-care and wellness

Position Requirements:

• A Master's or Doctoral degree in psychology, counseling, marriage, and family therapy or social work 
• Current and valid license or registration with the CA BBS or BOP (Open to recent graduates.) 
• At least 1-2 years of direct clinical experience working with transition age, high-risk, high mental health needs, and system-involved youth in a community-based setting. 
• Direct, personal experience with foster care, social services, juvenile justice, mental health, residential treatment or group home placements, wraparound services, or other related community resources is highly desirable
• Knowledge of Alameda County community resources for TAY youth.
• Demonstrate clinical skill in assessment/evaluation and treatment, crisis intervention while working with complex, multiple diagnosis histories.
• Well-organized, efficient, and excellent time management
• A trauma-informed and relational approach to working with youth
• Work with Medi-Cal reimbursement procedures and billing
• Ability to assess needs, strengths & provide crisis intervention and de-escalation in small and large group settings.
• Clean DMV record; travel is required.
• Passionate about working with foster youth, families & young adults who have complex traumatic histories.
• Highly Motivated to work from a team based approach. 
• Values humility, compassion, self-care, and ongoing personal growth .
• Ability to travel by car to meet with clients, generally within a 90 mile radius of the WCC office. Clean CA DMV record, current car insurance and a vehicle; travel is required.

Position details and compensation:

Salary range is $72,000-$82,000+ per year (unlicensed starting at $72,000 and licensed starting at $82,000). Added 10% Spanish language differential, if applicable.

Join us and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families in the Bay Area.  

WCC is passionate about leading and encouraging open conversations around race, gender, power, and privilege and how these impact community mental health. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diminishing the influence of privilege and discrimination in our field and our workplace, whether due to differences concerning age, citizenship, color, disability, marital or parental status, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.