PACE Clinical Therapist (Central Valley PACE - Merced/Modesto)

Under the supervision of the Medical Director, the Clinical Therapist is responsible for developing and implementing personalized care plans to ensure high-quality, team-based behavioral health services for participants. Key responsibilities include conducting initial assessments, providing clinical interventions, treatment recommendations, and coordinating referrals for participants and their families. This role requires physical presence at a Central Valley PACE center and the flexibility to travel for participant visits as needed. This role collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to provide evaluation, individual, family, and group therapy, as well as case management for older adults with mental health and behavioral needs.

Compensation: $94,000.00 - $ 100,500.00 Salary

Location: Merced and Modesto Central Valley PACE Centers 

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments, including diagnosis, care planning, and meeting regulatory documentation requirements.


• Provide solution-focused interventions, including therapeutic, monitoring, or crisis support for participants and their caregivers.


• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team (IDT), external providers, and caregivers to support participants at risk for psychiatric hospitalization, ensuring care continuity and coordination.


• Monitor participants’ responses to psychotropic medications and collaborate with psychiatric consultants as needed.


• Educate the IDT on managing behavioral complexities and navigating placement challenges.


• Facilitate individual and family therapy for participants and their caregivers.


• Lead therapy groups tailored to participants’ needs and therapeutic goals.


• Participate in IDT meetings, case conferences, and organizational events as required.


• Provide crisis intervention and management to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.


• Perform intake assessments for participants with psychiatric, psychological, or behavioral needs.


• Deliver case management services, including service plan development and intensive care coordination.


• Assist in developing and implementing behavioral management programs and mental health policies.


• Provide supervision for license-eligible staff and support quality control for mental health services.


• Plan and deliver staff training seminars and develop training materials in the area of mental health.


• Maintain familiarity with therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.


• Other related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

• May be occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds and push up to 50 pounds (on wheels).


• Must be able to hear staff on the phone and those who are served in-person, and speak clearly in order to communicate information to patients and staff.


• Must have vision with or without lenses that is adequate to read memos, a computer screen, personnel forms, and clinical and administrative documents.


• Must have high manual dexterity.


• Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouching, reaching, kneeling, twisting/turning.

Work Environment

• Exposure to biohazards, including infectious material and waste and any other conditions common in a health care environment.


• Moderate pressure to meet scheduled appointments while dealing with frail and confused participants.


• Subject to unpleasant odors.


• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Education/Experience Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.


• Valid CA Driver's License, acceptable driving record, vehicle insurance and reliable transportation.


• Bilingual (English/Spanish preferred)


• Proficient in Microsoft applications and use of electronic health data systems, at a minimum level have good computer literacy including internet navigation and research skills.


• Demonstrates ability to be culturally sensitive and respect diversity, work effectively with individuals of different cultures and socio-economic status; passion for service; self-starter and highly organized; ability to prioritize, and complete a large volume of work within strict time deadlines; provide prompt, efficient and responsive customer service.


• Individual therapy skills for geriatric participants, analytical thinking and problem solving abilities.


• Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by Central Valley PACE and approved by CMS before working independently.

Education/Experience

• Master's Degree in Behavioral Health (i.e., MSW) or Doctorate in Psychology (PhD).


• A current unencumbered license from the State of California, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Clinical Psychologist (Ph.D).


• Minimum of three (3) years of behavioral health experience conducting therapy, completing behavioral health assessments, and managing care planning needs.


• Minimum of two (2) years of experience with a frail or elderly population.


• Current BLS CPR Card certified by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.