Job Overview
The Misdemeanor Incompetent to Stand Trial (MIST) Program serves defendants in Los Angeles that are facing misdemeanor charges but found to be incompetent to stand trial. This population is often chronically homeless with mental health disorders and, without alternative resources must remain in the County Jail until their maximum sentence is served or are restored to competency. The Los Angeles’ Health Agency’s Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) has addressed the needs of this population through a diversion program that places them in residential community settings. The goal of MIST is to have these individuals treated in the community, while still under an active Court order. Once they are restored to competency, they can then continue to attend Court dates.
The HealthRIGHT360 (HR360) MIST programs consist clients in a private, co-ed residential setting and will include an on-site Master’s level clinician, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Psychiatrist, Case Managers, Facility Monitors, Administrative Staff and a House Manager. The program operates on Harm Reduction and Housing First principles. Harm Reduction is a set of policies, programs and practices that aim primarily to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences of the use of legal and illegal psychoactive drugs. The Housing First model is an approach that offers housing as quickly as possible for individuals experiencing homelessness, and then provides the supportive services and connections to the community-based supports people need to keep their housing.
The Clinician must attend weekly supervision to maintain Academy of Certified Social Workers registration in accordance with BBS standards under supervision of a licensed clinician. Duties include assessment, treatment plan development, individual and group therapy, facilitating evidence-based curriculum, crisis intervention, designing and facilitating social activities, conferencing with a case management team, and discharge planning towards permanent housing and continuing care. The Clinician will work with staff to integrate effective Harm Reduction and Housing First principle into the program structure. The Clinician will work collaboratively with the program’s staffing pattern to provide client-centered clinical services throughout the various stages of engagement including assessment, crisis intervention, treatment planning, client education, supportive individual and group therapy, and maintaining accountability and consistency, and developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of community service and treatment agencies. Other comparable duties may be assigned as well. The Clinician will provide clinical intervention and/or conflict resolution while adhering to all State, Federal and County documentation standards and HIPAA regulations. The program clinician will provide services in the various HR360 MIST program sites.
