Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) is San Diego’s leading provider of comprehensive mental health and substance abuse care. As a part of our Behavioral Healthcare system, API operates a free-standing 66 bed psychiatric hospital in La Mesa, California with four Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Programs. These programs emphasize symptom management, community integration, and prevention of hospitalization or re-hospitalization.

Joining Alvarado Parkway Institute means not only a rewarding career with a supportive and collaborative team, but you will also enjoy a competitive compensation package that includes a market-led base salary, and a comprehensive benefits package along with wellness benefits, employee recognition program, 401k plan, generous paid vacation, employee wellness activities, tuition reimbursement, and community involvement initiatives. 

API is committed to improving mental health and quality of life by helping people maximize their potential.  If you value working each day to serve the needs of the Behavioral Healthcare community, making an impact in the lives of so many who need treatment and support, consider joining our team of compassionate healthcare professionals.  Work where you can make a positive impact and lasting difference in people’s lives!  

 As a Counseling Trainee you will provide direct services to patients that are hospitalized due to currently experiencing acute mental health symptoms.  These services include group and individual therapy, danger to self or to other assessments, addictive disorders assessments and developing behavior plans for patients engaging in harmful or self-destructive behaviors. Counseling Trainee will be provided with individual supervision, didactic training, and group supervision weekly. 

Requirements:

• Must have an undergraduate degree. 
• Must be enrolled in a graduate degree program that is either a MA in Counseling, Psychology or Marriage and Family Therapy.  
• Must be enrolled in a practicum class at the same time you are accruing trainee hours for graduation.  
• It is a 12-month commitment 
• Required to be present 20 hours a week.  

Conditions of Employment

In compliance with API’s policies and guidelines, all API employees are required to adhere to the following:

Background/Reference Check & Licensures/Certifications

• Completion of a satisfactory background and reference checks.
• Employee signed employment non-compete/confidentiality agreement
• Individuals whose position may require licensure, registration or certification must maintain such as current and valid. It is the employee’s responsibility to send updated copies to Human Resources before the expiration date. It is the employee’s responsibility to notify Human Resources of any changes or proposed changes in status to licensure, registration, or certification. Failure to do so could result in employee suspension.
• CPR certification if applicable to position

Covid-19 and Flu Vaccinations; Medical

• Provide a copy of COVID-19 Vaccination OR have Exemption Request (Deferred Pregnancy, Medical, or Religious) approved by the API HR Director; and those who have an approved Exemption must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and observe all other infection control requirements, including face coverings.
• Annual Flu vaccination is required as a condition of hire and ongoing employment. Only those who are allergic to the vaccine or meet contraindications as indicated on the current CDC Vaccine Information Statement shall be exempt from this condition of hire and ongoing employment but are required to wear a mask while inside an APIU owned or operated building or vehicle during influenza season, Employees must provide physician documentation to support any reported allergy or contraindication. Flu season typically runs between November and March.
• Pass drug and alcohol test
• Clear TB skin test or Chest X-Ray at a Concentra Occupational Health Clinic
• Complete a satisfactory physical examination at a Concentra Occupational Health Clinic designed solely to determine your ability to perform the duties of the position being offered.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in Article 2.5 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act [11164 – 11174.3] as a condition of employment.

Covid-19 Booster 

Effective January 7, 2022, in accordance with CDPH Public Health Orders, all healthcare workers (HCW), including Medical Staff who are booster-eligible, must be boosted or provide an Approved Exemption by February 1, 2022. Employees who are not yet booster-eligible and/or have an Approved Exemption must begin testing weekly through API’s Covid-19 Testing Clinic.

EEO Statement

API provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.