Clinical Instructor or Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences (Practitioner)

The Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC is seeking several California licensed mental health therapists with expertise in treating eating disorders and body dysmorphia (PhD/PsyD, LCSW, LMFT) for a behavioral health practice to care for the student body population at USC. We are seeking candidates to join a diverse and dynamic multidisciplinary team who are strongly committed to providing excellent, multiculturally competent, clinical treatment to students. We are seeking candidates who are reflective of our diverse student population and who have strong clinical skills, are familiar with the duties associated with an outpatient clinic within the Keck Medicine of USC medical system, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, collegial, professional environment.

This is a full-time clinical faculty position with an academic appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and clinical service assignment in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services (PBHS) at University Park Campus (UPC). A generous benefits package includes: health, dental and vision coverage; significant retirement benefits (USC makes a 10% contribution when you contribute 5%), child care; tuition assistance for the faculty member and their eligible spouse and dependent children; tuition exchange for eligible faculty children; paid professional days; access to free continuing education credits through our Grand Rounds lecture series; generous paid time off and parental leave; life insurance, malpractice coverage, long-term disability coverage, pet insurance, and more, as revised from time to time (more information about benefits can be found here).

Description of the Faculty Practice

Located in a contemporary state-of-the-art facility in the Engemann Student Health Center on USC’s University Park Campus, the practice serves USC students who require outpatient mental and behavioral health services. A multi-disciplinary team comprised of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and case managers will accomplish the practice’s mission of providing access to the highest quality of mental health care for all students. The Eating Disorders Program consists of specialized eating disorder providers with expertise in leading evidence-based treatments for eating and body image disorders.

Essential Functions

• Reports to clinic/division leadership
• Conducts initial diagnostic evaluations and biopsychosocial assessments, develops treatment plans, and provides evidence-based, trauma-informed, and multiculturally-affirming psychological interventions to USC students
• Provides evidence-based individual and group therapy to USC students presenting with eating disorders and body dysmorphia concerns as well as other presenting problems
• Participates in and contributes as a member of the Eating Disorders Program
• Evaluates crisis situations and intervenes appropriately
• Provides after-hours on-call service, as assigned
• Completes timely documentation and billing in accordance with to clinic policies
• Maintains appropriate clinical records and complies with all relevant regulatory policies and procedures
• Participates in clinical outcome evaluation
• Collaborates and consults with other mental health and primary care providers involved in the care of the student
• Participates in multidisciplinary case conferences and clinic meetings
• Attends and contributes to department and division meetings, fostering clinical objectives and a consultative collegial environment
• Participate in all required peer review, performance evaluation, and merit review processes, as well as quality improvement activities

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Doctorate in Counseling or Clinical Psychology from an APA-accredited program, or Master’s degree in Social Work or Marriage & Family Therapy
• Licensed in California.
• Well-developed clinical skills and experience utilizing evidenced-based interventions for the treatment of mental and behavioral health conditions, including eating disorders and body image concerns
• Effectively works in a highly diverse, multicultural, and LGBTQIA+ affirmative environment
• Interest and skill in an integrated approach to care
• Willingness and ability to see a high volume of patients and meet departmental productivity standards
• Ability to make quick and accurate clinical assessments
• Flexible/comfortable adapting to a new and evolving clinical practice

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with university students
• 3 or more years of experience post-licensure treating eating disorders
• Strong diagnostic skills and knowledge of DSM5
• Resilient, self-aware, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Experience working with issues encountered in late adolescence, including identity issues (e.g., sexual identity, gender identity, racial/ethnic identity, etc.), sexual trauma, and substance use disorders
• Multicultural competency/humility and trauma-informed approach in working with students of color, students from all economic classes, first-generation students, LGBTQIA+ students, and international students
• Experience and commitment in working with minoritized individuals
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards of professional practice and to professional integrity 
• Desire to continue to grow as a professional; committed to excellence and lifelong learning
• Strong communication skills
• Bilingual or multilingual – Proficiency in Japanese, Farsi, or Mandarin/Cantonese is preferred but not required

Application Deadline: Until position is filled.

Starting Date: Negotiable

The Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences is committed to attracting and nurturing a diverse community dedicated to providing culturally informed, high-quality behavioral healthcare to a multicultural population. Both in our work environment and clinical practice, we embrace diversity across multiple dimensions. We aim to provide a safe, inclusive environment for our faculty, staff, residents, fellows, trainees, volunteers, patients, colleagues, and the multitude of stakeholders with whom we work. Through our clinical services, educational programs, research studies, and policy initiatives, we are committed to addressing health care disparities for historically underserved groups; to combating racism and anti-Blackness at all levels; and to promoting and ensuring social justice.

The annual base salary range for this position is $100,000-$146,000.  When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

University Description

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university what it is.

USC is one of the world’s leading private research universities with approximately 43,000 students from all 50 states and boasts one of the largest international student bodies in the country. USC is located in the heart of Los Angeles, a culturally rich metropolitan city, and is close to both beach and mountains with wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities.  The mild temperatures along with the city’s average of 329 days of sun per year makes Los Angeles a wonderful city to live and work.

USC strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. All genders, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, bicultural/multicultural and bilingual/multilingual individuals are encouraged to apply.

Application materials

CV, cover letter, and 3 letters of reference from current or former direct supervisors that speak to your competency and suitability for this position.