Licensed Therapists for High Risk Team in Counseling and Mental Health (CMH) / Clinical Instructor or Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences (Clinican Educator)

Los Angeles, California

USC Student Counseling Services is actively recruiting full-time licensed therapists (PhD/PsyD/LCSW/LMFT/LPCC) to join a diverse and dynamic multidisciplinary team who are strongly committed to providing excellent clinical treatment, training, and outreach services regarding mental health and wellness. We are seeking licensed therapists with expertise in dealing with clients at risk or in crisis, and candidates who have strong clinical skills, are familiar with the duties associated with a university counseling center, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, collegial, professional environment. We are specifically seeking candidates who are available during weekend hours to provide coverage to students in crisis.

Description of USC Student Health and Counseling and Mental Health

USC Student Health provides a comprehensive campus health program including mental health services, medical services, prevention and health promotion, health communications, the student health insurance plan, and public health services to improve the health of the USC population. Mental Health services support students so that they may achieve their academic and personal goals through the Department of Psychiatry’s Counseling and Mental Health division (CMH). CMH services include: individual, couples and group counseling; assessment and referral to other professionals and institutions; crisis intervention; biofeedback; psychiatric evaluations and medication follow-up; consultation; outreach and prevention; and training and supervision. 

Position Description [Purpose, Scope, and Duties]

CMH High Risk Team clinicians/therapists provide individual treatment, group therapy, routine and urgent intake, triage, case consultation, third party consultation, and after hours coverage to USC students. They provide specialized psychotherapy and case management services to students who meet risk criteria and perform student welfare checks for mental health concerns alongside the USC Department of Public Safety. They supervise interns and practicum students; present didactic training in seminars for social work/psychology practicum interns on theories, interventions or diagnoses; and provide psycho-educational workshops to USC faculty, staff, and students.

The anticipated schedule for this position includes at least one weekend shift (i.e., Saturdays from 12:00 – 8:30pm and/or Sundays from 12:00 – 8:30 pm). An example schedule may be Tuesdays through Saturdays (with Sunday and Monday off) or Sundays through Thursdays (with Friday and Saturday off).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s or higher degree in social work, marriage & family therapy, counseling, psychology, or related field
• Licensed in the state of California
• Flexible schedule and ability to work on weekends
• Experience in dealing with students/clients at risk or in crisis
• Expertise in short term treatment, including: brief psychotherapy, stabilization and referral of serious mental illness, and crisis
• Resilient, self-aware, and can thrive in a fast paced, demanding environment
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and multicultural competency in working with students of color, students from all economic classes, first generation students, LGBTQ students, and international students

Preferred Qualifications:

• Work experience in college counseling centers
• LPS designation
• Excellent diagnostic skills
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills in group process work and training
• Experience working with issues encountered in late adolescence, including: transgender identity, men’s issues, sexual trauma, eating disorders, and substance use disorders
• Commitment to the highest ethical standards of professional practice and to professional integrity 
• Desire to continue to grow as a professional and committed to excellence
• Bilingual or multilingual

Application Deadline: Until position is filled.

Starting Date: Negotiable

This is a full-time 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 Counseling and Mental Health on the High Risk Team. Salary range is $95,000-$130,000 with additional compensation provided in recognition of the after-hours coverage demands of the role. A generous benefits package includes: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term care, disability, malpractice coverage and more; significant retirement benefits (USC makes a 10% contribution when you contribute 5%); tuition assistance for you and your family; paid professional days and parental leave; access to free continuing education credits through our Grand Rounds lecture series; and generous paid time off. More information about benefits can be found here.

Apply here and upload:

A cover letter expressing interest/fit for this position, and specifying training/expertise in working with students/clients in crisis or at risk 3 letters of recommendation, 2 of which should be from current/former direct clinical supervisors and speak to clinical expertise/skill

The annual base salary range for this position is $95,000-$130,000.  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.

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.

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.

USC is one of the world’s leading private research universities with approximately 48,500 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.

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.