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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDER CLINICIAN

JOB SUMMARY:

The Clear Creek Health Assistance Team (CCHAT) comprises a Community Paramedic and a Behavioral Health Co-responder Clinician. The team operates within the 911 system and Community Integrated Healthcare Service (CIHCS) with the goal of reducing the detriments of a mental or behavioral health crisis and provide support to 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 and provides follow-up care through CIHCS enrollment and/or resource navigation utilizing local and regional resources. 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 and on-scene risk and needs assessments to identify problem and appropriate interventions such as mental health holds, safety planning and immediate resource navigation.
Collaborate with on-scene personnel to identify best disposition for call while advocating for the mental/behavioral health needs of the client.
Understand the criteria and procedures for Emergency Mental Health Holds within the State of Colorado, assess a person’s risk of harm to self or others or grave disability, and arrange needed resources or transportation if necessary. 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' on-going 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 CCHAT team protocols and best practices.
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 trauma-informed environment of wellbeing.
Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:

EDUCATION:

Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related degree from an accredited program.

Ability to be licensed as an LCSW/LPC/LMFT/LAC or another appropriate licensure in the State of Colorado within one year of date of hire is required.

Current License as an LCSW/LPC/LMFT/LAC or another appropriate licensure in the State of Colorado is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

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 assess crisis situations and intervene appropriately.
Familiarity with the DSM V and diagnostic techniques
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record

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

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; 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 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 are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job.

Work is performed in either office environment; or client’s home when appropriate. 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, exposure to extremes of temperatures, fumes, odors, dirt, dust. Must be able to drive, and occasionally will operate a county vehicle in poor driving conditions. Some extensive travel may be necessary. Work can be a stressful environment during peak activity periods demanding full attention and coordination of numerous tasks simultaneously.

Typical Physical Demands: Ability to sit, stand, bend and reach, drive, operate standard office equipment such as a phone, computer, facsimile, copier/printer, and other business machines. Occasional lifting up to 40 lbs.

Typical Mental Demands: Ability to give, receive and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials and articulate goals and action plans. Must understand people from all walks of life and be able to communicate effectively with them.

Working Conditions:

This position requires evening (until 7pm) and weekend hours. Some local travel (in a county vehicle) for prescheduled visits as well as Safe Transport to regional Detox/Mental Health facilities. Will ride with a Community Paramedic working with Clear Creek EMS in response to mental health related 911 calls and CIHCS visits. Due to the nature of 911 response, this position will be considered an essential service an require travel and response in inclement weather conditions.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS:

None.

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).