Behavioral Health Support Team Clinician

Description

SUMMARY:

Mental health specialist in a co-responder model who works with the Blaine County Behavioral Health Support Team (BHST) Officer. Teamed with the BHST officer, delivers on-site assessment and crisis intervention services for police calls when a community member is experiencing a mental health crisis. Connects people to appropriate services and offers follow-up clinical support as needed. Provides clinical consultation to patrol deputies and other stakeholders. The clinician also collaborates with community partners and contributes to ongoing program development efforts. Requires a high degree of independent decision-making and program administration.

$95,000 - $112,000 DOE.

$20,000 longevity bonus available.

Eligible for patient incentive bonus.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Master’s in counseling, social work, or an equivalent field. Current State of Idaho Master of Social Worker or Professional Counselor license in good standing required, or license eligible and minimum one year post graduate experience. Must have a valid Idaho driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

· Knowledge and understanding of evidence based clinical social work and mental health counseling principles, methods, procedures, and standards for children and adults. 

· Interviewing, rapport building, and psychological/developmental evaluation skills. 

· Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records.

· Knowledge of community mental health resources. 

· Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, and maintaining a respectful atmosphere. 

· Ability to develop and sustain collaborative working relationships with other members of the Sheriff’s Office staff and work as part of a team to accomplish program goals.

· Ability to work independently, multi-task, plan, and organize work. 

· Ability to maintain strong professional boundaries.

· Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures for the age groups being treated. 

· Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials. 

· Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments. 

· Ability to maintain emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses. 

· Ability to evaluate the progress of therapeutic programs and to make individual modifications. 

· Knowledge and understanding of crisis assessment, intervention techniques as appropriate for community members in a crisis condition, and for those with serious mental health symptoms. 

· Knowledge of the principles and methods of social and vocational rehabilitation as they relate to mental health clinical practices. 

· Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.

· Ability to determine appropriate level of care needed based on presenting symptoms/behaviors and communicate this appropriately to law enforcement, families, and individuals. 

· Knowledge of legal and ethical issues related to patients' rights. 

· Knowledge of community support services, treatment services and funding agencies. 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Position requires: a) provision of intensive, integrated professional mental health services and treatment planning in a community and law enforcement environment; b) provision of professional leadership in the determination of appropriate therapeutic approaches and methods; c) planning and implementing outreach/education programs, workshops, and activities; e) establishment and maintenance of case files and related documents for clinical and legal purposes.

1. Assist patrol deputies with mental health related calls for service; provide screening, crisis assessment, brief therapeutic interventions, and referrals to treatment for community members as appropriate.

2. Assist in formulating safety plans for community members who are at risk of harm due to mental or behavioral health crisis.

3. Provide clinical follow-up services, by phone and in person, to high-risk jail releases and public BHST interactions. 

4. Collect data about patients through interview, case history, psychological screenings, and/or observational techniques; evaluate data to identify causes of problems and to determine proper therapeutic approaches or referral to other specialists. 

5. Consult with other therapists, related professional and paraprofessional staff, as appropriate, in the performance of therapeutic and/or casework.

6. Refer clients to appropriate service agencies as required, when appropriate provides case management to connect individuals      to services and resources they need for stabilization.