Mental Health Associate

Maricopa County • Phoenix, AZ

3d • $25 - $42 • Onsite

About The Position

Make a meaningful impact on both the criminal justice system and the community by supporting individuals incarcerated in the Maricopa County Jail. Help promote rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society! In this role, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated team of mental health professionals within a nationally recognized, accredited organization. You'll tackle complex situations, manage emergencies, and analyze critical data to prioritize effective treatment interventions.
Join our dynamic multidisciplinary Mental Health team and play a pivotal role in transforming lives and shaping a better future. Apply today!

Requirements

• One year of full-time behavioral health work experience
• Bachelor's degree in behavioral health, social services, or a related field
• Must successfully complete a thorough background check
• Travel or floating to various clinical locations is required within a 5-mile radius
• Must be able to respond to emergencies
• Must maintain CPR certification and get on the floor to perform CPR/chest compressions, push medical equipment, climb stairs, and lift patients on a gurney
• Must be able to work inside a jail and stand/walk/bend for extended periods of time throughout the shift
• Must be able to pass a fingerprint/security clearance process and maintain MCSO jail access
• This position requires accurately handling a high volume of work, communicating with a culturally diverse patient population, and adapting to frequent changes, interruptions, and unscheduled tasks

Nice To Haves

• Master of social work, counseling, or related field; LMSW, LAC, LAMFT, or LBSW
• Bilingual in Spanish/English
• Experience with triaging internal and external referrals
• Experience with coordinating the completion of Mental Health Petitions with community providers and testifying in court

Responsibilities

• Responds to Health Needs Requests (HNRs) by conducting a face-to-face encounter with patients to assess their mental health needs, triage these requests, and prioritize the urgency of subsequent follow-up appointments
• Monitors any changes in the mental health status of patients housed in segregated areas by conducting regular rounds
• Maintains a working knowledge of community resources and develops re-entry plans to support patients when released from jail
• Completes special needs treatment plans (SNTP)
• Evaluates patients for substance use disorders using brief screening tools, such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Drug Screening Questionnaire (DAST)
• Requests mental health treatment records from outside agencies and organizations
• Responds to grievances submitted by patients
• Creates psychoeducational packets containing information about mental health, puzzles, a calendar, and informative news articles, etc
• Completes biopsychosocial and suicide risk assessments under the supervision of an independently licensed mental health professional
• Completes routine clinical documentation, such as consent forms for treatment, treatment refusal forms, and notes completed for non-face-to-face interactions
• Works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team members regarding patient care
• Coordinates and documents mental health care with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)
• Maintains HIPAA patient confidentiality in the management of information

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

What This Job Offers

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