Clinical Navigator (Unlicensed)

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

7d • $33 - $42 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) is seeking a Clinical Navigator (Unlicensed) to join the Clinical Homeless Outreach Team (C-HOT). This co-responder program partners clinicians with specialized officers from the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) through the Denver Police Department (DPD) to divert individuals from unnecessary legal system involvement and/or hospitalization into a coordinated system of care. The program addresses 311 calls with a behavioral health focus, providing assessments, crisis intervention, and de-escalation for populations with high acuity and severity in health needs. This position is a limited term position with an expected end date of 7/31/2027, with the potential for extension. The role involves working primarily in the field, with occasional office meetings. The position requires a pre-employment drug screen.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage and Family Counseling, Counseling, or a closely related field.
• One (1) year experience of in crisis intervention, suicide and risk assessment, verbal de-escalation, and differential diagnosis working with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, substance use, and other at-risk populations or One (1) year experience in a co-response related position.
• Must obtain Basic life CPR and First Aid certification within the probationary period.
• Must pass an initial pre-security clearance screening and maintain CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) Security and Privacy certification as a condition of employment.
• Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.
• Cover letter

Nice To Haves

• Experience with crisis intervention, suicide risk assessments, safety planning and crisis de-escalation, trauma-responsive care, and level of care determination.
• Experience working with unhoused community members, individuals with problematic substance use, individuals diagnosed with a severe and/or persistent mental illness, or those experiencing an active crisis.
• Compassionate about working with the unhoused population with ability to build rapport quickly
• Experience working in or with the criminal justice system.
• Experience working in co-response or crisis settings
• Strong situational awareness and ability to de-escalate situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, internal and external agency leadership, coworkers and other first responder agencies (PD, EMS, Fire)
• Comprehensive knowledge base of crisis services and mental health/substance use related resources and criteria to access resources within the Denver metro area
• Possess a proactive mindset, capable of making informed decisions to drive program expansion and foster partnerships with community-based organizations
• Enjoyment from working outside of the typical office space

Responsibilities

• Perform outreach activities to unhoused individuals within the City and County of Denver that are affected by behavioral health issues or substance abuse along with DPD's HOT officers.
• Engage individuals in trauma-responsive, person-focused crisis support and de-escalation, and collaborative problem solving to meet self-identified needs of community members.
• Provide on-scene behavioral health evaluations, crisis interventions, safety planning, and referrals to appropriate resources and services.
• Provide expert clinical judgment in the field to inform LE partner (and other first responders when applicable) and provide the most appropriate intervention at the time of contact.
• Complete accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting to ensure proper monitoring and application of the program.
• Facilitate the entire referral process for client including providing recommendation of best suited behavioral health services based on client need, transporting individuals to service, and conducting warm handoff to service provider.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation and data standards in recording daily activities, client interactions, and outcomes for client engagements as it relates to set program systems and platforms.
• Provide follow-up based on clinical acuity when appropriate and necessary.
• Participate in team/department meetings, in-service trainings, clinical supervision and supervisory sessions as required.
• Operate outside, in potential inclement weather conditions including extreme heat or cold.
• Operate a city vehicle.
• Lift equipment and samples weighing up to 30 lbs.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

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