Mental Health Therapist 1 – University of California, Davis – Davis, CA

The vision of the Department of Pediatrics is the healthiest future for all children and families, with a mission dedicated to creating a healthy future for all children through outstanding patient care, transformative research, innovative medical education and community-based advocacy. As part of this mission, the purpose of the CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center is to provide culturally responsive, trauma informed patient care (mental health services), teaching and research on behalf of abused/neglected and at-risk children. The CAARE Center specializes in treating childhood trauma, offering evidence-based treatment within a multidisciplinary setting that values staff wellness. Mental health services are provided to children ages 0 to 21 through various service contracts and grants across settings, including outpatient clinics, pediatric clinics, juvenile hall, and community settings.

Job Summary

We offer exceptional employment benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans, generous paid vacations and holidays, excellent retirement savings and investment plans, continuing education, and reduced fee and scholarship programs.

THIS IS NOT AN H1- B OPPORTUNITY

Responsibilities

We acknowledge that our society carries within it historical and deep-rooted injustices and biases. Children and families are impacted by systemic, cultural, social, and economic factors, and face barriers and challenges when seeking mental health services. UC Davis Health and the CAARE Center values the diversity and intersectionality of the clients and families served, and the importance of hiring professionals that share these identities. We believe that diversity strengthens the foundation of our medical center and fulfills our commitment to address the health disparities in mental health care. We endeavor to foster mutual understanding and respect among the many parts of our whole, and therefore are committed to outreaching and welcoming providers from varied backgrounds who share our values on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The CAARE Center has increased compensation for his position and is offering competitive salaries combined with exceptional employment benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans, generous paid vacations and holidays, excellent retirement savings and investment plans, continuing education, reduced fee, scholarship and loan repayment programs. The CAARE Center has some flexibility in work hours, supports professional development, and offers weekly supervision and training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, PC-CARE, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. All therapists are trained in at least two evidence-based treatments and supervision is provided for those accruing hours towards licensure.

The therapist in this position will be trained in Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE), a brief dyadic intervention. Their primary role is to provide PC-CARE to children and caregivers (biological or foster) in the Child Welfare System, families experiencing homelessness, and families referred from schools, and to provide consultation/liaison and brief assessment services within a pediatric primary care clinic for children in foster care. This therapist will also provide crisis intervention services and individual, group, dyadic, and/or family therapy to children and/or families experiencing homelessness. They will also be trained to train other mental health professionals and paraprofessionals in PC-CARE and members of the child-serving workforce in an adaptation of PC-CARE.

Required Qualifications

• Applicants are encouraged to upload license and certification if required of the position.
• Valid driver’s license and regular access to a car
• Registration eligible or licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, or with the Board of Psychology or waiver eligible with doctorate
• Must have a Master’s degree in psychology, social work, sociology, or other related fields.
• Minimum of one year of experience in a mental health setting serving the mental health needs of children and families.
• Knowledge of and ability to effectively use DSM-5.
• Good writing, verbal, and planning skills to write clear and concise reports using applicable computer software.
• Organizational skill to organize a variety of concurrent activities, set realistic goals and objectives, plan ahead and meet deadlines without compromising quality.
• Skills to conceptualize clinical situations and demonstrate application of theory in case management and psychotherapy.
• Knowledge of community resources, especially resources relevant to young children and their caregivers.
• Interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills to clearly, effectively and diplomatically interact with a diverse group of individuals at all levels within the organization to convey instructions, directions and information appropriately and accurately while and promoting the goals of the organization.
• Interpersonal skills to use clinical supervision to enhance professional growth and examine clinical work.
• Ability to apply cultural competency standards to clinical care.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish
• Training and experience providing evidence-based treatment protocols such as Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE) or Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
• Experience providing in-home or community based early intervention programs that promote child development and/or mental health
• Knowledge and understanding of individual, infant, child, and family development; human behavior and communication; the influence of culture and values in clinical practice; case management; and research, with a special emphasis on early childhood development.
• Knowledge and understanding of infant and young children’s mental health issues.
• Knowledge of and skills to provide case management, individual, group, conjoint, family, and evidence-based treatments.
• Knowledge of current treatment literature and its applicability to mental health therapy.
• Knowledge of suicidal behavior and skills to assess lethality and develop appropriate treatment plan
• Knowledge of child, elder abuse, and domestic violence reporting requirements, and other significant legislation and laws regulating mental health practice, (e.g., Tarasoff, patient confidentiality, etc.) with the ability to make appropriate interventions based on law and policy

Special Requirements

• Participate in DMV Pull Notice if driving is required.
• This position may be subject to a criminal background investigation, drug screen, Live Scan fingerprinting, medical evaluation clearance, and functional capacity assessment.
• The University of California has implemented a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Policy (ucop.edu) covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, employees must submit proof of vaccination or a University-approved exception or deferral.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At UC Davis, we’re solving life’s most urgent challenges to bring a fuller, healthier, and more resilient world within reach. We grow from every challenge we take on and we don’t just maintain – we improve.

We recognize that creating an inclusive and intellectually vibrant organization means understanding and valuing both our individual differences and our common ground. The most comprehensive solutions come from the most diverse minds and you belong here.

As you consider joining UC Davis, please explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education, and our latest efforts to outgrow the expected.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.