BEST Criminal Justice Diversion Police Co-Responder/Mental Health Clinician

Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) Criminal Justice Diversion Police Co-Responder/Mental Health Clinician - Psychiatry  

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. It´s a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care, BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to all—and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet – an integrated health care delivery systems that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

Position: BEST Criminal Justice Diversion Police Co-Responder/Mental Health Clinician

Department: Psychiatry  

Schedule: FT, 40 hrs, Sunday-Thursday, 730am-330pm

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) Criminal Justice Diversion Police Co-responder provides direct services to children, adolescents, and adults in crisis.  This clinician will work collaboratively with the Boston Police and be available to assist BPD officers with calls for individuals exhibiting signs of mental distress, to provide assessments on-site, in the community, or at the police district and deliver rapid access to community mental health, substance abuse and psychiatry services, including urgent linkage to other components of the BEST system.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Under the direction of the Clinical Director of BEST, identifies appropriate inpatient settings for patients requiring admission to inpatient facilities.
• Works with the patient, the patient’s family and referring agents, to facilitate the admission of the patient into the appropriate unit.
• Maintains an up-to-date roster of area inpatient psychiatric units for adults, children and adolescents and maintains a liaison relationship with these facilities.
• Develops and maintains a liaison relationship with MBHP, DMH and with all referring agencies.
• Refers patients to appropriate outpatient facilities if appropriate, and maintains an up-to date listing of, and liaison with, outpatient facilities, residential facilities, shelters and half way houses.
• Informs referring source as to final disposition of cases.
• Reviews findings with senior clinicians or Clinical Director. Consult with providers as needed regarding client assessments and crisis interventions.
• Maintains documentation and records for all cases in accordance with program requirements.
• Contributes to organization and administration of teaching programs.  Participates in all required orientation and training programs.
• Completes required paperwork (i.e., evaluation forms) in a timely fashion to meet all hospital, state and federal regulations.
• Attends appropriate clinical and staff meetings.
• Maintains competency in the field via ongoing continuing education and by maintaining applicable licenses up-to-date.
• Performs other related duties as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, education, counseling, or related field Preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

LCSW/ LICSW or LMHC license eligible preferred

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in delivering mental health services to traumatized children or families is a plus.
• Clinical counseling experience with families affected by violence or trauma
• Experience working with crisis intervention services desirable
• Experience in health or hospital settings desirable

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve families affected by trauma or homicide
• Ability to function and make decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team.
• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations.
• An organized work style, good follow through skills and ability to keep organized written documentation
• Demonstrated skills in the provision of services in a multicultural environment.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served is a plus.

Preference given to applicants who reflect the cul