OVERVIEW

Provides direct care involving the general psychological and medical assessment, crisis intervention and/or referral of children and adolescents in psychiatric/behavioral crisis on an emergency and 24/7 basis at the individual's home, clinic or emergency facility. Work is performed under general supervision and is guided by agency policies and procedures, quality assurance, public and private payor guidelines, diagnostic guidelines and professional practices and including ethical standards related to client interactions, state and federal regulations and guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides crisis intervention and stabilization services to children and adolescents and their families and caregivers.
2. Completes pre-screenings, risk assessments and evaluates individuals for hospitalization commitments and treatment and coordinates actions with law enforcement, judicial authorities and medical treatment providers.
3. Arranges hospital admissions on a voluntary and involuntary basis and follows up with hospital staff.
4. Provides direct individual service including emergency intakes, individual evaluation, individual and family therapy.
5. Classifies and refers new individuals to the appropriate agency treatment unit.
6. Coordinates services and liaises with hospitals, courts, social services, state offices, and others in the communities.
7. Responds to program callers and phone inquiries.
8. Prepares documentation and inputs psychological and service data into the electronic records system.
9. Provides expert testimony in court and legal proceedings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of the mentally ill, emotionally disturbed and/or substance abusive children and adolescents including crisis intervention and stabilization principles and practices, thorough knowledge of the theories and principles of child and adolescent psychology, physical and intellectual development; thorough knowledge of the principles of crisis theory relevant to children and adolescents and family dynamics; thorough knowledge of the medical providers, social services and other agencies and community organizations providing services to the individual population; considerable knowledge of individual manage­ment guidelines for Virginia; considerable knowledge of the laws and legal procedures relating to involuntary hospital admission; ability to establish and maintain rapport with the individual population; ability to conduct effective interviews, observe, assess and record individual behaviors and functioning and determine clinical and legal disposition; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff of other private and public agencies and organizations; ability to confidently provide expert testimony in both oral and written formats; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to operate a vehicle; ability to function calmly in stressful situa­tions; ability to prepare and maintain detailed records and prepare related reports.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid VA driver's license. VA licensed or licensed eligible as LCSW, LPC, or LCP. State certified Pre-Screener.

TYPICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Master's Degree in the Behavioral Sciences and some clini­cal work experience in therapeutic counseling to children and adolescents in psychiatric/behavioral crisis including crisis intervention and hospitalization.