Childrens Jefferson County Family Court Mental Health Liaison

JEFFERSON BLOUNT ST CLAIR MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY • Birmingham, AL

4h • Onsite

About The Position

This position involved providing direct services to children with emotional/behavioral disturbances and/or substance abuse issues, along with their families, who are involved with Jefferson County Family Court. This employee is responsible for clinical assessments of client needs, and to advocate for appropriate services and/or least restrictive alternatives. The Mental Health Liaison will work closely with the Family Court Judges, Probation Staff, Youth Detention Staff, as well as the Court Mental Health Unit Staff, and will be located in the Family Court building.

Requirements

• Masters Degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy, who by education and training, is qualified to perform diagnostic assessments. Licensure or license eligible is preferred .
• Two years experience working with seriously emotionally/behaviorally disturbed children and/or children who suffer with substance abuse issues, and their families in a community setting
• Valid Alabama driver’s license and driving record acceptable to agency automobile insurance carrier for inclusion on agency policy. Suitable automobile to permit required travel. Must show and maintain car insurance equal to or in excess of the State of Alabama standards for automobile insurance coverage.
• Knowledge of special needs and behavioral characteristics of severely emotionally/behaviorally disturbed children
• Knowledge of substance abuse characteristics of children who suffer from drug and alcohol abuse or dependence
• Knowledge of the community and available community resources
• Knowledge of psychotherapy principles and techniques
• Knowledge of psychotropic medications, including their use and side effects
• Ability to perform individual assessments and provide therapy
• Ability to make clinical decisions/recommendations in crisis situations
• Demonstrate communication skills – both expressive and written
• Ability to document activities and maintain records in an electronic medical records system
• Ability to organize and manage one’s own activities with minimum direct supervision
• Ability to work flexible hours due to the special needs of the children and their families

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the use of AVATAR (electronic medical record system) and CANS (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strength Assessment) tool is highly desired

Responsibilities

• Interviewing, evaluating, and assessing mental health and/or substance abuse issues and appropriate needs of all client’s referred by Jefferson County Family Court or Youth Detention Center
• Working closely with the staff at Family Court, Youth Detention Center, and other community resources in order to provide or access appropriate services to meet the client needs (mental health services, school systems, etc.), and advocating for their services
• Provide crisis intervention services to clients who report suicidal/homicidal ideations, or those who have attempted self-harm, or in the event of a tragedy
• Consult with Coordinator, JCL, Probation Officers, Detention Specialist, or other staff as necessary
• Provide coverage for Family Court, as necessary, in the absence of the Coordinator or JCL
• Provide accurate documentation of charts on a daily basis, to include clinical assessments, referrals, progress, and follow-up
• Completing required documentation to meet service delivery accountability requirements
• Provide weekly schedule of hours to Coordinator
• Perform all administrative duties as required

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time