Crisis Clinician I - QMHP

Alleghany Highlands Community Services • Covington, VA

3d

About The Position

Alleghany Highlands Community Services (AHCS) is seeking a Crisis Clinician I to join its Crisis Receiving Center team. The position provides immediate assessment, intervention, stabilization, and care coordination for individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and co-occurring crises. As part of an interdisciplinary crisis team, the clinician supports individuals and families, identifies the least restrictive clinically appropriate level of care, and connects individuals with ongoing services.

The position is primarily based in the Crisis Receiving Center and may also involve services in hospitals, emergency departments, homes, community settings, law-enforcement or court-related settings, and other assigned locations. Crisis services operate around the clock, so schedules may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and approved backup/on-call coverage based on program needs.

Candidates offered a position must undergo a background check, including a social services review, and a drug screen. Virginia restricts the hiring of individuals with certain convictions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in a human services field, or other education meeting current Virginia requirements for the applicable QMHP/QMHP-T designation.
• Current QMHP or QMHP-T registration/designation.
• Human services experience sufficient to meet applicable QMHP/QMHP-T requirements.
• Ability to complete required DBHDS-approved preadmission screening evaluator and mobile crisis certification/training within the timeframe established by AHCS.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record when driving is an assigned essential function.
• Ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations, use sound clinical judgment, manage multiple urgent needs, and work independently and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong clinical interviewing, risk assessment, safety planning, documentation, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Direct crisis experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide face-to-face and telephone crisis assessment and intervention, including mental status and safety/risk assessments.
• Use de-escalation, brief crisis counseling, safety planning, and other approved crisis interventions.
• Conduct preadmission screenings and participate in Virginia civil commitment processes when certified or authorized, including evaluation for hospitalization, ECOs, TDOs, voluntary treatment, and least-restrictive alternatives.
• Provide observation and stabilization services within the Crisis Receiving Center and continually reassess clinical status and risk.
• Coordinate admissions, referrals, transfers, discharge planning, follow-up, and continuity of care.
• Collaborate with nursing and prescribing staff, peers, Emergency Services, Mobile Crisis, hospitals, law enforcement, courts, families, and community providers.
• Complete timely and accurate electronic health record documentation, crisis assessments, prescreenings, safety/crisis plans, and other required records.
• Provide mobile/community crisis response and other crisis coverage when assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time