MENTAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDER CLINICIAN

JOB SUMMARY FOR MENTAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDER CLINICIAN:

The Community Crisis and Health Assistance Team (CCHAT) is Clear Creek County's Alternate and Co-responder program serving vulnerable populations throughout the county. Staffed with Mental Health Co-responder Clinicians and Community Paramedics, the team has three functions: 1 - Provide alternate response (without other emergency service providers) to appropriately screened 911 calls offering trauma-informed, client-centered responses to individuals in crisis. 2 - Partner with three Law Enforcement (LE) agencies throughout the county to provide co-response to calls for service that require LE presence and have a mental health or other crisis related component. 3 - Through a Community Integrated Health Care Services license (CIHCS), bridge gaps in access to healthcare and address the non-medical factors that affect a person's health and safety for medically fragile vulnerable populations. In all functions, the team provides follow-up, care coordination, and resource navigation, to help reduce or eliminate further contacts with emergency services. The mental health clinician is experienced, creative, and adaptable to provide unique solutions to each client. The clinician thinks critically, demonstrates safety, and works well in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

Benefits: Retirement, Health, Vision, Dental, Retirement, Voluntary Life, Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital), Life & AD&D Ins, Short-term & Long-term Disability, PTO, Sick Leave, and Education Assistance.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES FOR MENTAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDER CLINICIAN:

•

Respond to mental and behavioral health-related 911 calls to provide crisis de-escalation, on-scene risk, and needs assessments to identify the problems and appropriate interventions such as mental health holds, safety planning, and immediate resource navigation.

•

Collaborate with on-scene personnel to identify the best disposition for a call while advocating for the client's mental/behavioral health needs.

•

Understand the criteria and procedures for Emergency Mental Health Holds within Colorado, assess a person's risk of harm to self or others or grave disability, and arrange needed resources or transportation if necessary. The CCHAT team provides secure transportation for appropriate cases.

•

Respond to referrals from EMS/Fire/LE/Community Partners via phone and/or in person; Enroll appropriate clients in CIHCS services for ongoing care.

•

Provide ongoing resource navigation in the days and weeks following a client contact.

•

Coordinate care for clients' ongoing bio-psycho-social needs with local and regional providers as part of crisis resolution and CIHCS enrollment.

•

Assist community paramedics by providing social/mental health assessments for all clients enrolled in CIHCS services and responding to scheduled visits.

•

Assist in developing/maintaining community partnerships by attending community meetings, events, etc.

•

Maintain accurate and timely clinical records consistent with standards.

•

Participate in team/department meetings and trainings.

•

Maintain licensure if applicable, including necessary CEs.

•

Maintain a trauma-informed environment of well-being.

•

Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDER CLINICIAN

•

Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related degree from an accredited program.

•

Preferred License as an LCSW/LPC/LMFT/LAC or another appropriate licensure in Colorado.

•

Minimum two years of experience in crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation, working with individuals experiencing moderate to severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorders, and working with diverse and at-risk populations on resource navigation.

•

CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIAL LICENSES:

LAC or CACIII preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES FOR MENTAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDER CLINICIAN

•

Knowledge or ability to learn and practice trauma-informed principles and practices.

•

Knowledge of methods of psychotherapy

•

Knowledge of community resources

•

Ability to always demonstrate good clinical judgement

•

Ability to assess crises and intervene appropriately.

•

Familiarity with the DSM V and diagnostic techniques

•

Practical written and verbal communication skills

•

Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

•

Must have a valid Colorado Motor Vehicle Drivers' License, and proof of automotive insurance

•

Must pass a background check: Criminal & Traffic

•

Required legal authorization to work - United States citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States

SUPERVISORY:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDER CLINICIAN:

The physical requirements described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee must frequently sit and stand for long periods, use hands and fingers to handle or feel, and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, bend, twist, stoop, or kneel. Must be able to respond to the customers' needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination-dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects in a range from 25 up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must possess the mental and emotional resilience to handle potentially unsafe and/or difficult situations. The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. When appropriate, work is performed in either an office environment or a client's home. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax/scan machines. Possible exposure to conditions relating to loud noise, all types of weather and non-weather conditions, extreme temperatures, fumes, odors, dirt, and dust. Must be able to drive and occasionally operate a county vehicle in poor driving conditions. Some extensive travel may be necessary. Work can be a stressful environment during peak operations.

POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS .