Emergency Services Mobile Co-Response Therapist - Rappahannock Area Community Services Board

OVERVIEW

Assesses the general psychological and medical status of individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis in the community and determines appropriate level of care on an emergency basis. Provides crisis intervention services in conjunction with local law enforcement with the goal of helping the person in a behavioral health crisis. Will co-respond with local law enforcement as part of a trained Co-Response Unit to persons in crisis. Work is performed under general supervision and is guided by agency policies and procedures, quality assurance, public and private payor guidelines, emergency mental health and diagnostic guidelines and professional practices and including ethical standards related to client interactions, judicial directives, law enforcement policies and procedures, state and federal licensure and accreditation regulations and guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides crisis intervention in conjunction with law enforcement to referrals to the program at the individual's home, clinic or in the emergency facility.
• Provides direct individual service including emergency intakes, individual evaluation, individual and family therapy.
• Assesses individuals for hospitalization, completes pre-admission screening assessments, evaluates and determines appropriateness for hospitalization.
• Supports law enforcement on implementing alternatives to incarceration for the subject population in collaboration with law enforcement, magistrates, courts, Pre-Trial Services, Probation and Parole and the Commonwealth's Attorney.
• Provides outreach, assessment, linkage to and coordination with other service providers
• Works in collaboration with the emergency services team to recommend and facilitate hospital admissions on a voluntary and involuntary basis.
• Coordinates services and is liaison with other agencies, to include: hospitals, courts, social services, state offices, and other community stakeholders.
• Conducts assessments by telephone, telehealth or by in-person interviews.
• Responds to program callers and phone inquiries.
• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the laws and legal procedures relating to the emergency mental health system; thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques involved in the diagnosis, risk assessment crisis intervention and general treatment of the substance abusive, mentally and/or emotionally disabled population thorough knowledge of community resources; considerable knowledge of law enforcement policies, procedures and methods; considerable knowledge of the medical procedures, treatment providers and other agencies in service to the individual population; some knowledge of grant administration; ability to develop, prepare, and present training and educational materials for adults; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff and with private and public community partners; ability to prepare and maintain detailed records and prepare related reports; ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writ­ing; ability to maintain individual records; ability to estab­lish effective working relationships with a variety of others; ability to plan the work of, train, supervise and evaluate subordinate professionals; ability to operate a vehicle; ability to conduct effective interviews, observe, assess and record individual behaviors and functioning.

TYPICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Master's Degree in the Behavioral Sciences and considerable therapeutic counseling experience including crisis intervention and hospitalization of individuals with behavioral health concerns individuals; or combination of education and experience to produce the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. State certification as a Qualified Pre-screener.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid state driver's license. Must be licensed or license eligible as LCSW, LPC, LMFT