Clinician Fully Licensed

Claratel Behavioral Health•Decatur, GA

About The Position

The Co-responder Program is a collaborative service of Claratel Behavioral Health and the local Police Department that responds to people experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises. Its goals include providing community-based crisis intervention, connecting people in crisis with community resources, reducing hospitalizations, and reducing arrests or incarceration for people in need of treatment. The Clinician provides on-site field assessment, crisis intervention, education, support, and follow-up coordination. The role evaluates safety risks to self or others and determines whether involuntary admission is needed, completing a 1013 or 2013 as appropriate and indicated by licensure level. The Clinician conducts homeless outreach and community engagement, works with community partners and law enforcement, and receives supervision from the Program Manager. The work is primarily in the community alongside law enforcement. The Clinician rides in a police vehicle with a CIT-trained police officer to respond to crisis calls, and may need to wear an agency-branded shirt and fitted bulletproof vest where applicable. The role involves potential exposure to highly stressful and emotional situations, as well as moderate walking, standing, and stair climbing.

Requirements

Current Georgia license as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or a master’s-level Counselor or Social Worker committed to obtaining the applicable license (Senior) within six months of hire.
At least two years of mental health or substance use disorder experience in assessment, crisis intervention, and stabilization.
Knowledge of signs and symptoms of withdrawal and acute psychosis.
Basic computer and typing skills.
Training in CPI and current CPR.
Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Professional and effective communication with police officers, staff, clients, clients’ families or significant others, and the public.
Training in MindSet Safety Management and current CPR.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a psychiatric hospital, crisis stabilization unit, ACT team, or co-responder program.

Responsibilities

Provide screening, clinical assessment, mental status evaluation, therapeutic intervention, clinical education, and disposition for individuals and families in the community responding to behavioral health crisis calls.
Conduct homeless outreach and community engagement, and engage with community and law-enforcement partners.
Evaluate individuals’ safety risks to themselves or others and initiate a 1013 or 2013 as appropriate.
Provide therapeutic de-escalation as needed.
Make timely, sound decisions based on standards of care and practice, and follow through with appropriate interventions during emergencies.
Coordinate with a receiving facility when an individual needs crisis stabilization.
Make follow-up wellness calls and community visits with clients.
Complete electronic documentation for each call and follow-up visit.
Communicate effectively with high-acuity clients and people under the influence, as well as individuals, families or significant others, staff, and public safety officers.
Participate in a rotating on-call schedule to provide telephone support to officers in the field.
Perform duties from a recovery-oriented, client-centered, and trauma-informed perspective.
Participate and contribute to departmental meetings, team huddles, rounds, supervision, and other meetings as needed to support cohesive operations.
Participate in specialized training to enhance professional growth and development.