POSITION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide routine and emergency mental health assessments, diagnostic assessments, stabilization, crisis intervention, and treatment planning of clients in the community, at the CRU Residential Unit, and on the Hotline. As an appropriately degreed/licensed member of the Crisis Services staff, this clinician serves with others as a Health Officer for the County. All job functions are performed under the supervision of the Clinical Manager.

Available shifts: 2:00pm-12:30am or 5:00pm-3:30am (4 ten hour shifts)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Respond to routine and emergency requests for service. Triage telephone calls and walk-ins. Gather information for telephone intake screening and emergency assessment and provide information and referral to persons requesting information. Provide telephone support and crisis intervention to clients who call the hotline.
• Perform crisis intervention for clients and their significant others. Provide face-to-face counseling to clients and significant others to promote stabilization of a crisis situation. Provide rape crisis intervention when Rape Crisis volunteers are not available.
• Perform mental health assessments. Perform pre-hospital screenings, diagnostic assessments and intake screenings in response to requests for outpatient services. Determine the needed interventions to ensure safety of clients and others based on the mental status assessments. Assess clients when placed on the unit for 23-hour monitoring.
• Manage the care of clients on the residential stabilization unit. Provide one-on-one crisis intervention to clients, monitor self-medication of clients, monitor behavior and mental status of clients on the unit, develop treatment plans within 24 hours for clients, and document client progress in chart. Manage the medication room and monitor client self-medication. Coordinate the stabilization unit treatment plan with Center service providers. Lead the groups on the CRU unit and Partial Hospitalization groups, and assist clients in obtaining personal care items.
• Transport clients to community sites as needed.
• Carry out duties as a health officer in Lorain County. Assess the mental status of persons to determine the safety of clients and others according to the emergency medical certificate guidelines. Make outreach as needed to assess and intervene with clients reported to be in crisis.
• Work with families, significant others, other community agencies and law enforcement officials as needed to assess and intervene with clients reported to be in crisis.
• Oversee and guide the treatment interventions of mental health technicians. Provide clinical consultation to technicians.
• Provide group counseling to the Residential Unit clients and clients from the community.
• Provide critical incident debriefing, support and education to the community.
• Attend meetings at the Center as required and assigned.
• Train students and new staff working in ESS.
• Complete all necessary paperwork on time and follow Center procedures and clinical standards in performing all job duties. Complete and tabulate report items (e.g. contact sheets, shift reports, crisis alert, pre-hospital screenings).
• Consult with MD’s and other providers as needed regarding client assessments and crisis interventions.
• Ensure competence and annual certification in the following areas: CPR, First Aid, Physical Crisis Intervention, and Rape Crisis training.
• And all other tasks as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

The employee must have a good working knowledge of DSM V, mental health assessments, crisis intervention techniques, and psychotropic medications. Must have good oral and written communication skills and the ability to resolve conflicts in working with community agencies, multidisciplinary teams, and in dealing with the public on the hotline calls.

WORKING CONDITIONS

In addition to an office setting, a significant part of the work is performed in the community during outreach, i.e., client’s home, school, shelter, emergency rooms, etc. Because of the variety of environments and physical conditions that will be encountered, this individual must be able to successfully interact and navigate in all types of facilities and weather conditions. This individual may periodically be required to lift and/or carry up to 10 pounds.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

Must have a Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health related field and LPC or LSW license in the State of Ohio. Two years' experience in the mental health field is preferred. Basic computer skills required, including familiarity with Windows and Microsoft Office. The necessity for travel in this job requires that the employee possess a valid Ohio driver’s license with less than 6 points in a 36-month period, have proof of adequate personal automobile insurance, and use of a personal vehicle. Bilingual (English/Spanish speaking) a plus. Experience with EMR (Electronic Medical Records a plus).

Education

• Bachelors or better in Psychology or related field
• Bachelors or better in Social Work or related field

Licenses & Certifications

• LPC
• LSW