Position: Clinician/Therapist, Rue Ferrari Expansion
Reports to: Senior Director, Clinical & Peer Support
Location: Santa Clara County
Employment Type: Regular Full Time, Exempt
Compensation: $93,012.19/Annually
ABOUT HOMEFIRST
Established in 1980, HomeFirst™ is a nonprofit organization passionately working to end homelessness. We serve the Bay Area community through low-barrier programming and systems leadership – meeting each person where they are by offering support and resources that address immediate and long-term housing needs. With nearly 45 years of experience, we view housing as a fundamental human right and understand that solving homelessness requires a collaborative effort.
OUR VALUES
- Kindness: We act with empathy toward others.
- Passion: We ignite change to fulfill our mission.
- Excellence: We deliver exceptional service to our communities.
POSITION OVERVIEW
HomeFirst is hiring therapists to provide remote, in-person, and hybrid behavioral health services. Clinicians at HomeFirst provide clinical leadership in the following areas: comprehensive domain-based assessments and treatment/care plans; group and individual therapy focused on the diverse mental health and substance challenges. As well as wellness support and engagement activities including case conferences and other interventions to ensure quality services for participants across select HomeFirst’s programs. Our behavioral health services expand on the agency’s core principles: Housing First, Low Barrier, Trauma-Informed, and Harm Reduction by providing individualized therapeutic supports. Part time work may also be available, with prorated expectations regarding the quantity of services. Some of the HomeFirst programs served by the behavioral health department are:
- Emergency Shelters
- Permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing
- Emergency interim housing and bridge housing communities
- Outreach to homeless encampments
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
This role reports to Senior Director, Clinical & Peer Support.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct Services (70%)
- Provide clinically appropriate interventions for a caseload of participants served by HomeFirst housing programs, sufficient to ensure a minimum of 3 sessions provided per day.
- Participant outreach, engagement, & wellness support activities based on collaboration program and department leadership.
- Provide ongoing care for enrolled clients including planned support for potential crises
- Provide time-limited support and referrals in response to emergency mental health and substance-related situations to non-enrolled program participants.
- Conduct ongoing re-assessments of the clients’ needs and monitor progress to self-sufficiency as clinically indicated
- Utilize administrative and clinical supervision appropriately, maintaining open lines of communication and providing updates on clients’ treatment and timely communication related to any high-risk or complex circumstances.
- Independently complete comprehensive assessments, to inform accurate diagnoses, and treatment/care planning for all enrolled participants. Behavioral health staff are responsible for working within their legal and ethical scopes with the oversight of clinical services for non-licensed staff.
- Meet regularly with program leadership to monitor utilization (therapy enrollments and wellness groups) to support consistency, satisfaction, and effectiveness of behavioral health services.
Documentation (20%)
- Provide accurate DSM 5 diagnoses, as clinically appropriate
- Maintain accurate records of client services for all program participants
- Complete progress notes within 3 business days for all services rendered
- Maintain an up-to-date calendar that accurately reflects provided services (retrospectively) and anticipated services (proactively)
- Ensure records comply with all applicable standards and are audit-ready
General (10%)
- Participate in ongoing review and adjust services, as needed, to align with best practices
- Provide leadership, coaching, and training on mental health related topics for program /agency staff
- Know and implement agency and program policies and procedures
- Promptly report suspected cases of abuse/neglect and other high-risk situations, consistent with agency expectations and other standards (legal, ethical, etc)
- Maintain professional relations and conduct
- Attend all meetings relevant to this position, including team meetings, required agency training, as well as no and low-cost training to support professional development.
- Assist with other duties assigned
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge:
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge
- Understanding of issues facing the unhoused and formerly unhoused populations
- Knowledgeable of DSM 5 diagnoses including PTSD, Schizophrenia and related disorders, as well as social (non-symptomatic) determinants of health
- Ability to apply effective therapeutic interventions, Evidence Based, and promising practices
- Crisis intervention skills, trauma informed approaches, aware of no and low cost behavioral health services.
Characteristics
- Demonstrated ability to quickly build trust and rapport in interpersonal relationships
- Demonstrated ability to independently develop and maintain priorities and meet established deadlines
- High level of flexibility and ability to prioritize independently
- Exceptional organizational skills.
- Strong sense of accountability.
- Ability to present oneself and the agency professionally to internal and external audiences.
- Ability to independently work as a member of a team and can set and meet individual goals.
- Comfort in working with people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
- Enjoy providing hands-on instruction on life skills
Other:
- Able to perform sedentary work
- Able to lift up to 30 lbs. on occasion
- Ability to use keyboard and read computer screens for extended periods
- Able to stand/sit for extended periods, kneel, reach and bend related to the completion of duties
BENEFITS
HomeFirst provides comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage and additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a 401(k)-retirement plan with generous matching, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and workers’ compensation. Employees enjoy 12 holidays, sick leave, and PTO starting at 15 days annually, increasing with tenure, plus 4 hours of civic engagement leave annually to volunteer.
ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY STATEMENT
At HomeFirst, diversity, equity, and inclusion guide our services, workplace, and decisions. Recognizing housing as a social justice issue, we prioritize equitable practices, honor lived experiences and uphold dignity for all. By fostering belonging, accountability, and continuous improvement, we embed DEI values in our processes, recruitment, and leadership, striving for excellence at every level.
HomeFirst is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst Services participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.
HomeFirst Services is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.
