Lead Mental Health Clinician, VIVA Counseling Program

Company: North County Lifeline
Location: Vista
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Lead Clinician, VIVA About Lifeline Community Services Lifeline Community Services is a premier nonprofit organization in San Diego County, dedicated to empowering individuals and families to achieve self-reliance and long-term stability. Our diverse service portfolio spans housing, behavioral health, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives, operating across multiple locations. Position Summary VIVA Counseling is an outpatient child, youth and family therapy program that is part of North County Lifeline. The Lead Clinician serves both in a clinical and leadership role. The position provides individual family and group therapy to youth up to age twenty 21 and their families both in- person and via telehealth. The Lead Clinician also serves an important role as team's primary trainer of clinical documentation and administrative processes. If you have experience with Medi-Cal documentation, are highly organized and enjoy coaching others, this position is a great opportunity to get leadership experience while still serving clients. All clinicians receive supervision and associates earn hours towards BBS licensure. Lifeline is a non-profit that is well known for fostering a supportive team culture and for being an outstanding place to work and grow. Required Education and Experience Masters Degree in counseling, social work or related field, and BBS-registered AMFT, LMFT, ACSW, LCSW, APCC or LPCC. Experience with EHR preferred, but will consider candidate with experience in other EHRs. Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred but not required. Bilingual pay available. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: Possesses advanced knowledge that is primarily intellectual in character and includes exercising discretion and independent judgment Establish and maintains effective working relationships while showing open mindedness and a collaborative spirit. Compatibility with agency purpose, goals, philosophy, and approach. Demonstrates enthusiasm and passion for their work. Utilizes a creative approach to problem solving. Interactions with others reflect a spirit of honesty, humbleness, and self-awareness. Accepts constructive criticism with a positive attitude and willingness to implement change. Ability to work well independently and demonstrate appropriate initiative. Must demonstrate knowledge of trauma Informed, client driven, and culturally competent care. Compensation & Benefits Salary commensurate with experience. Bilingual English/Spanish compensation available for qualified candidates. Eligible for employer paid benefits including medical, dental, vision, & Life Insurance. Generous vacation, sick, and holiday time-off benefits. Flexible Spending Account and 403(b) Retirement Plan available. EOE Accommodations and Accessibility Statement Lifeline Community Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and other applicable laws, Lifeline will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the organization. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact humanresources@nclifeline.org as soon as possible. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, assistance with completing the application process, providing documents in an accessible format, or arranging for an accessible interview location. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement North County Lifeline DBA Lifeline Community Services ("Lifeline") is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and discrimination is not tolerated. We adhere to all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In California, we extend these protections to include ancestry, medical condition, genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), familial status, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, and age (40 and above), among others-recognizing and valuing the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that all individuals bring to our team. Pre-Employment Screening Notice As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients and maintaining the integrity of our workplace, North County Lifeline conducts comprehensive background and drug screening processes for all prospective employees. This includes: Driving record verification Employment history and reference checks TB screening 10-panel non-DOT drug screening DOJ/FBI/Child Abuse Index background checks These screenings are conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and reflect our dedication to building a safe, mission-aligned work environment. As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients and maintaining the integrity of our workplace, North County Lifeline conducts comprehensive background and drug screening processes for all prospective employees. This includes, but is not limited to: Driving Record Check: Verification through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ensure a good standing driving record. Employment Verification: Confirmation of your employment history to verify your experiences and qualifications. Reference Checks: Contacting provided references to gain insights into your work ethic, professionalism, and suitability for the role. Tuberculosis (TB) Screening: A TB test to ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff, in line with public health recommendations. Drug Screening: A 10-panel non-DOT drug test to screen for the presence of common illicit substances, ensuring a drug-free workplace. Criminal Background Checks: Comprehensive checks through the Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and Child Abuse Index to identify any history that may impact your suitability for employment, particularly in roles involving vulnerable populations. These screenings are a vital part of our hiring process and must be successfully completed for employment eligibility. North County Lifeline is dedicated to fair and responsible hiring practices and ensures that all screenings are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, respecting the privacy and rights of all candidates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this process, aimed at creating a safe and productive work environment for everyone.

Keywords: North County Lifeline, Norwalk , Lead Mental Health Clinician, VIVA Counseling Program, Healthcare , Vista, California