Mobile Transitional Support Counselor

CRISIS SERVICES•Buffalo, NY

2d•$28 - $32•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you a compassionate, skilled clinician who thrives in the field and wants to make a meaningful impact during some of the most critical transition points in someone’s mental health journey? Crisis Services is seeking a dedicated Mobile Transitional Support (MTS) Counselor to join our Emergency Mental Health Response Services team and support individuals recently discharged from psychiatric inpatient care as they reintegrate into the community. This is an opportunity to directly influence client safety, reduce avoidable emergency department use, and ensure secure linkage to ongoing outpatient mental health services—work that truly changes lives. About the Role: As an MTS Counselor, you’ll provide short‑term, intensive, community‑based clinical support to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness following discharge from ECMC, Buffalo Psychiatric Center, and other inpatient settings. Working in partnership with a mental health peer specialist, you’ll deliver mobile interventions designed to reduce acute distress, stabilize symptoms, and maintain community tenure. You will be a vital connector—bridging gaps in care, building trust with clients, and ensuring they receive the support and services needed to thrive post‑discharge.

Requirements

Master’s degree and licensure in Social Work (LMSW or LCSW), or
Master’s degree and licensure in Mental Health Counseling (LMHC), or
Master’s degree and permit in Mental Health Counseling (LMHC-P), or permit-eligible, or,
Master’s degree and permit in Social Work (MSW-P) or permit eligible.
Minimum 1 year of supervised clinical experience (pre‑ or post‑graduate) with individuals in a mental health setting.
Experience working with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.
Familiarity with a variety of clinical tools and interventions, including CBT, DBT, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, and conflict resolution.
Strong understanding of HIPAA, confidentiality, and ethical practice.
Excellent communication, organization, time‑management, and problem‑solving skills.
Ability to collaborate across systems and provide compassionate support in the field.
Clean driving record and reliable vehicle required.

Responsibilities

Provide brief, intensive clinical interventions for a rotating caseload of recently discharged individuals.
Partner with a mental health peer to deliver collaborative, trauma‑informed support.
Conduct inpatient engagement prior to discharge to build rapport and support transition planning.
Perform home visits and telephonic follow‑ups to stabilize clients until outpatient linkage is secured.
Assess suicide risk, dangerousness, mental status, and other behavioral indicators; facilitate referrals to higher levels of care when needed.
Maintain working knowledge of Erie County’s mental health and human service systems to coordinate effective referrals.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, case conferences, and supervision.
Provide outreach presentations or staff training as assigned.
Assist with training new staff or students as needed.
Serve on-call according to program needs and collective bargaining agreements.
Participate as a disaster worker in the Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) if activated.
Maintain required licensure, certifications, and a valid NYS driver’s license with reliable transportation.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive pay including regular annual increases
Paid training and professional development opportunities
CWA Local 1122 union membership
Generous paid time off and paid meal breaks
Employee self-care and wellness supports including Calm app subscription for all employees and their family members
Quiet Room, Exercise Room and Lactation Room onsite
Great health insurance coverage w/generous employer premium contribution
$300/year Flexible Spending Account provided by agency
Access to dental, vision and other ancillary insurance coverage options
403(b) plan w/employer match after one year of service
Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness program