Foster Youth 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.

At WestCoast Children's Clinic, our STAT program is an innovative, model program providing mental health Screening, Stabilization, and Transition (STAT) services to children entering Alameda County's foster care system. Foster Youth Clinicians conduct thorough screenings and offer personalized therapeutic interventions, both at our Assessment Center and in the community. We support children and young adults of all ages, helping them navigate trauma and transitions with resilience. Additionally, we provide specialized support for those facing chronic placement instability, offering ongoing care for up to a year.

As a Foster Youth Clinician, you will:

• Conduct screening, evaluation, and therapeutic actions for children entering or transitioning within the child welfare system, collaborating with county social workers to advise on clients' mental health requirements.

• Deliver short-term therapeutic interventions directly to clients and offer supplementary assistance and advice to foster parents, relatives, and group home personnel to aid children in adjusting to and maintaining stability in their placements.

• Administer individual and family therapy, caregiver coaching, coordinated communications, and case management to children facing ongoing instability in their placements, spanning a duration of 3-12 months.

• Offer stabilization support services to children and Transitional Age Youth (TAY) within a face-to-face milieu setting.

• Provide services both at WCC program locations and within the community (including youth residences, neighborhoods, other organizations, and educational institutions), necessitating travel.

Our ideal candidate has:

• Master's or Doctoral degree in psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or social work (required)

• Current and valid licensure or registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) or Board of Psychology (BOP) (required)

• 1-2 years of post-graduate work with children and families, although recent graduates are also encouraged to apply.

• Demonstrated proficiency in clinical assessment/evaluation and treatment, as well as crisis intervention, particularly in cases involving complex and multiple diagnosis histories.

• Strong organizational skills, efficiency, and excellent time management abilities.

• Utilization of a trauma-informed and relational approach when working with youth.

• Familiarity with Medi-Cal reimbursement procedures and billing practices.

• Ability to assess needs and strengths, and provide crisis intervention and de-escalation in both small and large group settings.

• A clean driving record with the ability to travel as needed.

• Experience and understanding of developmental milestones and child development.

What will you gain?

• Receive individual clinical supervision by a dedicated supervisor and participate in a case conference

• Enhanced training and professional development support for recent graduates

• Be part of a compassionate, driven team that is social justice-focused: We have several Staff Affinity Groups such as Staff of Color, LGBTQ+, Equity and Inclusion, Health and Wellness

• Serve vulnerable kids and their families and create positive changes in their lives

• As a Joint Commission Accredited agency, we provide the highest standard of care and offer extensive clinical training and seminars led by field experts. Training includes CSEC, Telehealth, Complex Trauma/Trauma-Informed Care, Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS), Supervisor in training program, and much more!

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. 50% paid coverage for dependent medical and dental.

• Bilingual pay differential for qualified candidates (10% of yearly salary)

• Quarterly and annual incentive compensation plans, generous retirement plan contribution

• 403b retirement plan with ROTH and 403b contribution options

• Flex-spending options - Medical, Dependent Care and Commuter Plans

• 14 Paid Holidays, Self-Care Leave (additional PTO accrual with increased years of service)

• 20 days paid time off per year (equivalent to 4 weeks)

• Wellness Stipend ($100 per month), which can be used on a variety of expenses related to self-care and wellness

• Professional development stipend

• Weekly supervision and case conference

• CEUs for trainings

Position details and compensation:

This is a full time, exempt position and requires in-person work in the community and at the Assessment Center in Hayward, CA. Salary range is $72,000-$82,000+ per year (unlicensed starting at $72,000 and licensed starting at $82,000) PLUS 10% differential for alternative workweek (regular weekend shift required.), and 10% Spanish language differential, if applicable.

• SIGNING BONUS - $4,000 for Bilingual Spanish Clinicians*

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.