BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDER CLINICIAN

JOB SUMMARY:
 

The Clear Creek Health Assistance Team (CCHAT) comprises a Community Paramedic and Behavioral Health Co-responder Clinicians. The team operates within the 911 system and Community Integrated Healthcare Service (CIHCS) to reduce the detriments of a mental or behavioral health crisis and support other vulnerable populations in Clear Creek County. The team responds to appropriately screened 911 calls to provide trauma-informed, client-centered responses to individuals in crisis. The team also partners with local Law Enforcement (LE) agencies to respond to crisis calls for service that require an LE presence. CCHAT response includes welfare checks, trespassing, suicidal parties, and other appropriate call types. To help reduce the reliance on emergency services, the CCHAT team also receives after-hours referrals from EMS/Fire/LE/Community Partners. It provides follow-up care through CIHCS enrollment and/or resource navigation utilizing local and regional resources. The CCHAT program is a division of Clear Creek Emergency Medical Services. The Behavioral Health Co-responder Clinician assists the CCHAT Program Director in developing/maintaining community partnerships and developing/updating program protocols in line with best practices. The clinician is experienced, creative, and adaptable to help provide unique solutions to each client. The clinician thinks critically, demonstrates safety, and works well in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

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

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 SPECIFIC TO THIS POSITION
 
 

N/A

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.




The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties, and responsibilities.  Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).