Behavioral Health Crisis Response Substitute Clinician

City of Boulder • Boulder, CO

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general direction, this part-time, as-needed position fills short-term staffing gaps at full operational capacity. As part of the City of Boulder’s Behavioral Health Crisis Response Team (BHCRT), the clinician responds to 911 and police non-emergency calls involving behavioral health concerns. Depending on the call, the clinician responds independently alongside other BHCRT staff or directly paired with Boulder Police Department officers.

The role provides in-person crisis response, clinical assessment and intervention, care coordination, referrals, documentation, transportation, and follow-up. The clinician works collaboratively with BHCRT case managers and participates in supervision, training, and team meetings. Responses take place in varied community settings, and may involve dynamic or adversarial crisis situations. The position requires a Colorado behavioral health license, a relevant master’s degree, at least two years of specified experience, and a valid driver’s license.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field.
• At least two years of experience in crisis intervention, suicide and risk assessment, verbal de-escalation, and differential diagnosis with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, substance use, and other at-risk populations.
• Current Colorado licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Psychologist (LP) through DORA.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally, particularly for documentation, care coordination, and crisis situations.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively with the public and colleagues and to complete work consistently and on time in accordance with team policies.
• Ability to demonstrate emotional regulation during difficult 911 responses and manage secondary trauma related to crisis work.
• Ability to practice within applicable laws and ethics, act with integrity, apply ethical principles to complex problems, and support change with flexibility.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently as a team member.
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to make appropriate referrals in crisis situations.
• Knowledge of major mental illness, personality disorders, neurocognitive disorders, complex trauma, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessment, safety planning, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, crisis de-escalation, Colorado statutory criteria for involuntary behavioral health care, and the impact of involuntary treatment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the records management systems used by the team.
• Skill in listening to colleagues and community members and making rapid, accurate diagnostic assessments, including distinguishing psychosis related to mental illness from psychosis related to substance use.
• Meet and maintain applicable federal, state, and organizational background-check requirements, including CJIS screening; successfully pass a background check before the first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.
• Ability to use computers, radios, and associated equipment; work in dynamic crisis situations and varied community environments; observe, track, and interpret behavior; and maintain focus and engagement for prolonged periods.
• Ability to work closely with others amid frequent interruptions and background noise, and potentially under adversarial conditions involving mental health or substance use crises.
• Ability to work in environments that may include unsanitary conditions, bodily fluids, drug residue, homes in significant disrepair, difficult-to-access locations, and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Related behavioral health experience as a mobile crisis clinician, co-responder, crisis clinician conducting level-of-care assessments, or in another modality serving an acute population in a high-intensity environment.
• Professional Spanish-language ability for communication purposes.
• Knowledge of and prior experience collaborating with Emergency Medical Services (EMS), police, or fire personnel.
• Knowledge of and prior experience with Boulder-area behavioral health treatment systems and supportive services.
• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential in addition to primary licensure.

Responsibilities

• Provide as-needed in-person responses to behavioral health concerns or crises in community settings via 911 dispatch.
• Conduct clinical interventions, including mental status examinations and suicide and risk assessments, and determine whether individuals meet criteria for involuntary treatment.
• Prepare mental health holds and other legal documents as needed.
• Make on-scene level-of-care decisions and coordinate with collateral agencies, including schools, hospitals, family members, and significant others, to facilitate referrals.
• Document all contacts according to team policies.
• Transport clients during calls for service or follow-up contacts in accordance with team policies and applicable laws.
• Provide telephone or in-person follow-ups to connect community members with behavioral health care and other community resources.
• Work collaboratively with BHCRT case managers to support clients with complex or ongoing needs.
• Participate in clinical supervision, training, and team meetings according to team policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level