Mental Health Specialist - Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH)

Job SummaryIn partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health through the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, St. Joseph Center will provide interim housing opportunities designed to meet the immediate needs of individuals experiencing homelessness who are living with behavioral health conditions and/or substance use disorders. The BHBH Program offers a safe, private, and secure environment where participants are empowered to stabilize, build self-sufficiency, and transition from homelessness to permanent housing. Under the supervision of the Program Manager and with clinical oversight from the Clinical Supervisor, the Mental Health Therapist provides direct mental health and substance use services to adults experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges. Working within a trauma-informed, harm-reduction framework, the Mental Health Specialist engages residents in therapeutic support, crisis intervention, and care coordination. As part of a multidisciplinary team, the Mental Health Specialist helps residents achieve greater stability, build life skills, and move toward recovery and permanent housing.ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESKey areas of Responsibility:Apply a harm reduction and Housing First approach to client care, ensuring a “no wrong door” philosophy is upheld across all services.Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments and deliver evidence-based interventions for individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI).Collaborate with shelter staff and partners to develop and implement individual and group service plans for residents at interim housing sites.Provide therapeutic services that promote clients’ independence, daily functioning, and meaningful engagement in the community.Offer case management support as needed to assist clients in navigating services, resources, and referrals.Cultivate and maintain strong community partnerships and effective working relationships with external service providers to enhance care coordination and access.Essential Duties:Clinical Assessment & Treatment PlanningBuild trust and rapport with individuals.Assess individuals and complete assessments, re-assessments, and client treatment plans as required by the agency and funders.Implement client treatment plans, emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing mental health issues, medication management, and other risk factors.Provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goals.Identify potential risk areas and implement appropriate measures to reduce them by providing stabilizing services.Direct Clinical ServicesProvide skill-building, rehabilitation, and therapy services to individuals.Utilize a trauma-informed lens when working with clients.Utilize a harm reduction model when working with clients with substance use issues.Utilize evidence-based practices and best practice models to meet each client’s individual needs.Link clients to psychiatry services and other supportive services internally or externally.Documentation & ComplianceProvide complete documentation, meeting medical necessity standards, of all services and plans provided to clients.Document all services within 24–48 hours and meet the expected weekly billing productivity.Manage clients’ electronic health records and keep them up to date.Collaboration & CoordinationCoordinate services and collaborate with treatment teams and other service providers involved in clients’ care.Participate in treatment team meetings and other community meetings.Participate in individual clinical supervision, group supervision, and administrative supervision.Community Engagement & Other DutiesPerform education in the community and other duties within one’s scope of practice when assigned.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.