Clinician Fully Licensed

Claratel Behavioral Health•Decatur, GA

About The Position

The Clinician works in Claratel Behavioral Health’s Co-responder Program, a collaboration with the local Police Department that responds to people experiencing mental health or substance use crises. The program provides crisis intervention in the community, connects people to community resources, and aims to reduce hospitalizations and arrests or incarceration for individuals needing treatment. The Clinician conducts on-site clinical assessments, crisis interventions, and mental status evaluations; provides education and support; assesses safety risks; and coordinates follow-up care and community referrals. When indicated and appropriate to the clinician’s licensure level, the clinician completes 1013 or 2013 paperwork. The role also includes homeless outreach, community engagement, work with community and law-enforcement partners, follow-up calls and visits, and participation in a rotating on-call schedule. The position receives supervision from the program manager. Work takes place primarily in the community alongside law enforcement. The clinician rides in a police vehicle with a CIT-trained officer to respond to crisis calls and wears an agency-branded shirt and, where applicable, a fitted bulletproof vest. The role may involve 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 a Senior license 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 the signs and symptoms of withdrawal and acute psychosis.
Basic computer and typing skills.
CPI training and current CPR certification.
Training in MindSet Safety Management and current CPR certification.
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.
Successful completion of a criminal history background check; pre-employment drug screening may be required, and the posting also states that pre-employment drug screening and a successful criminal history background check are required.

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 1013 or 2013 paperwork as appropriate.
Provide therapeutic de-escalation when needed.
Work autonomously and make sound decisions based on standards of care and practice.
Respond effectively to emergencies and follow through with appropriate interventions.
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 clients who are high acuity or under the influence.
Communicate clearly and professionally with 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.
Support professional growth and development through specialized training.