Mental Health Clinician

YAI • Jackson Heights, GA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Mental Health Clinician role involves receiving referrals, conducting assessments (virtual and in-person), and determining individualized needs for youth entering the Children’s Crisis Residence. This position facilitates admissions, develops person-centered, trauma-informed individual support (ISP) and crisis plans, and collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team, families, and external providers. The clinician will regularly collaborate with program leadership and staff to maintain program excellence and ensure the health and safety of youth, delivering services in compliance with agency philosophy, department practices, and OMH requirements. Responsibilities include conducting clinical assessments, evaluating progress, designing data collection systems, ensuring the implementation of treatment plans by monitoring staff, and providing individual, group, and family therapy. The role also involves completing and maintaining clinical documentation, providing therapeutic support during youth crises, developing relationships with families and service providers, educating program staff, and participating in case conferences and meetings. The clinician will also serve as an Administrator-on-Call, coordinate discharges, and collaborate on incident reporting. Staying updated on best practices in mental health and counseling for children in crisis is essential, as is complying with all regulatory requirements, including HIPAA.

Requirements

• Current license and registration issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) such as Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
• Two (2) years of experience providing crisis intervention, therapeutic services and/or counseling to individuals with mental or behavioral health needs or any closely related mental health services to children.
• Satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training.
• All incumbents must hold a current license and registration in one of the professions listed above or another similar discipline which authorizes provision of direct services relating to the treatment of mental health, as authorized by NYS OMH.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to represent YAI with external partners and providers and to build positive relationships with staff at all levels, youth supported and with external stakeholders.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest levels of ethical standards and integrity, dedication to enhancing quality care and a desire to work with children.
• Ability to communicate clinical matters appropriately to individuals at all levels (families, therapeutic youth support specialists, program leadership, external providers, etc.).
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, especially during unanticipated challenges and in ambiguous situations relating to safety and security issues.
• Ability to respond to calls and programmatic needs beyond regular work hours/be on-call as needed, including as Administrator on Call on a regularly scheduled/recurring basis with other program leadership.
• Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office Suite and ability to quickly learn electronic systems including Workday and electronic medical record/documentation systems to complete tasks.
• Ability to report regularly to assigned Children’s Crisis Residence program(s) and to travel across New York City metropolitan area to conduct in-person assessments, evaluations or visits as required by caseload and/or as requested.
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position including frequent walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; use hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds on occasion; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per the person’s Individual Service Plan or crisis plan if/as needed, including lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff, which may include running.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Federal, State, Local and/or NYS OMH regulations relating to services for children.
• Experience working with children in crisis and/or with mental health needs.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Receives referrals and reviews application materials for potential intakes for Children’s Crisis Residence.
• Completes virtual and in-person assessments and collects information to determine individualized needs.
• Makes recommendations regarding necessary supports for youth.
• Facilitates admissions to Children’s Crisis Residence in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team, families, external providers, and case managers.
• Develops written, person-centered, trauma-informed individual support (ISP) and crisis plans that address the youth’s needs.
• Regularly collaborates with program leadership and staff, promoting and maintaining the excellence of the program.
• Protects the health and safety of youth supported by ensuring services are delivered in accordance with agency philosophy and department practices and in compliance with Federal, State, Local, and Office of Mental Health (OMH) requirements.
• Conducts clinical assessments of youth supported throughout their stay, evaluating progress and effectiveness of interventions.
• Designs effective data collection and charting systems that allow progress and other information to be monitored.
• Ensures appropriate implementation of person-centered treatment, therapeutic interventions, individual service plans (ISPs), and crisis plans by therapeutic youth support staff.
• Actively participates in the implementation of treatment, including facilitation of therapeutic activities for youth.
• Provides individual, group, and family therapy on an ongoing basis during the youth’s stay.
• Completes and maintains all clinical documentation and paperwork in appropriate systems on a timely basis.
• Provides therapeutic support during youth crisis, using de-escalation and intervention supports.
• Develops professional, empathetic relationships with families and service providers, acting as a representative of the program.
• Advocates for the youth we support and fosters communication between relevant supports.
• Provides education and information to program staff to ensure understanding and appropriate implementation of ISPs and crisis plans.
• Regularly participates in case conferences, discharge, and other meetings regarding youth with director and other applicable stakeholders.
• Serves as Administrator-on-Call (Available/On Call Supervisor) with other program leadership on an as needed basis.
• Provides on-call support to staff including answering calls and questions as needed.
• Reports to program to assist with significant issues, if required.
• Coordinates regularly with director and program team regarding discharges, receiving and sharing information regarding supports, effective interventions, and recommendations with families and external providers to support transitions.
• Collaborates with program leadership to ensure or assist with documentation and reporting of errors, incidents, and corrective actions.
• Stays abreast of updates and best practices in mental health and counseling, specifically those that relate to children who are in crisis.
• Identifies new methods, content, and information to incorporate into plans, practices, and/or to develop additional training and education for program staff.
• Complies with all Federal, State, Local, and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Ensures cooperation with appropriate entities in any inspection, inquiry, or investigation.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Benefits

• Consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran.

What This Job Offers

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