Crisis Counselor II/III

Job Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

JOB SUMMARY:

The Crisis Counselor II/III provides assessment and clinical services to individuals in the community, crisis stabilization, crisis intervention in the crisis care center, home, and community through mobile services. Assists in development of program and treatment protocols for the crisis stabilization program. Manage acute distress, rapid assessment, and provide effective communication and coordination of services among multiple systems. Provides professional clinical assessments and diagnosis of individuals displaying acute signs and symptoms of psychological distress. Formulates, writes, and implements clinical and diagnostic plans related to the needs of the individual. Coordinates appropriate services and interventions in order to stabilize the individual in the least restrictive manner. Works as part of a team to ensure services and resources are coordinated among providers as needed to help individuals served live and function optimally in the community. Completes GPRA’s/NOM’s and other assessments as required. Provides clinical services to individuals in the community, crisis stabilization in the crisis care center, home, and community through mobile services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide assessment, crisis intervention in the crisis care center, home, and community through mobile services, crisis stabilization, and short\-term crisis counseling interventions to meet the needs of individuals and/or families in the community. Includes the provision of professional face\-to\-face and/or telephone crisis intervention services for individuals (and concerned others) experiencing acute distress and psychiatric, substance abuse, or intellectual disorders. As appropriate works as part of the crisis services team to provide appropriate direct and client related services including crisis services and pre\-admission screenings. Manage ECO/TDO processes at the crisis care center as well as the emergency room setting. Demonstrate sound clinical judgment and strong risk assessment skills. Evaluate the need for immediate inpatient treatment or other appropriate less restrictive course of treatment.
• Assist individuals with crisis resolution and general problem\-solving. Develop effective and measurable individualized service plans for crisis stabilization and crisis intervention plans as quickly as possible from onset of crisis, to avert hospitalization. Monitor the plan to ensure all needed services are provided as stated in plan, and change plan as needed.
• Assist clients in maintaining stability following discharge from the program by providing short\-term crisis counseling, crisis, and case management services to clients until the client has established services in other agency programs or in the community.
• Respond in a timely manner to individuals receiving services, families, and representatives of multiple systems by providing and gathering necessary information, as appropriate. Interact with individuals and community partners in a manner that supports collaboration. Promote positive communication and collaboration among team members and other community resources needed to provide quality services. Serve on designated teams, committees and work groups.
• Demonstrate sound clinical judgement in evaluations and follow through. Staff cases as appropriate. Provide staffing consultation to others as requested. Provide emergency assistance (debriefings) to agency and community support staff in the event of an emergency situation. Maintain a good working relationship with both internal and external referral sources and provide community education or training as needed.
• Meet productivity standards for services provided. Document all required elements in the electronic health record (EHR) at the conclusion of the crisis situation. Complete all reports in a timely manner. Relay information on all face\-to\-face and telephone crisis case dispositions to appropriate agency programs and crisis services program staff to ensure appropriate follow\-up and aftercare arrangements. Complete GPRA’s and NOM’s and other assessments as required.
• Ensure that individual records are in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements including guidelines as they pertain to DBHDS Licensure Regulations, Waiver, State Plan and Clinic Options Medicaid. Complete administrative and other paperwork as required. Strive to promote continuous quality improvement of services through the timely completion of QA activities (ie satisfaction surveys, outcome measurement reports, etc.).
• Attend commitment hearings as agency designee and complete required reports. Conduct re\-commitment screenings or Mandatory Outpatient Treatment (MOT) initial treatment plans as assigned by director. Manage SA funds as directed.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Perform such other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Requires demonstrated knowledge of crisis intervention models and theories and resources available to help individuals with serious emotional and developmental disabilities, including individuals with co\-occurring disorders (MH/DD, MH/SA, and MH/DD/SA), and their families/care givers in the community.
• Clinical competence in managing suicidal individuals.
• Providing mental status examination, diagnosing according to DSM\-5, establishing least restrictive treatment, and providing Brief Treatment.
• Understanding of the use of psychotropic medications, drug overdose, common medical complications that may mimic psychiatric illness.
• Working knowledge of substances of abuse and the ability to assess the need for medical detox.
• Ability to work as part of a clinical treatment team is essential, as is the ability to cooperatively with emergency services and other agency staff and to appropriately interact with community referrals.
• Clinician must be able to respond to client emergencies both in person and over the phone and to provide clinical documentation of services provided.
• Working knowledge of Medicaid guidelines as they pertain to crisis stabilization, emergency, and community service provision.
• Basic knowledge of human rights, ethical, and legal concerns as they relate to providing clinical and residential services.
• Ability and willingness to work closely with other members of a multi\-disciplinary treatment team
• Knowledge and understanding of best practice treatment modalities for serious mental illness, intellectual and developmental, substance use and co\-occurring disorders to include behavioral supports and interventions.
• Knowledge of Substance Abuse Block Grant Requirements.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues around cultural competence and finds value in a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Job Requirements

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION REQUIRED:

Counselor II: Licensed Eligible Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Eligible Professional Counselor, Licensed Eligible Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Eligible Clinical Psychologist as approved by the Board of Counseling. Mandated prescreening status within three months of hire.

Counselor III: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Clinical Psychologist as approved by the Board of Counseling. Can also be Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist or MD/DO. Mandated prescreening status within three months of hire.

If a Board Executive Director has evaluated the transcript and experience of a potential Preadmission Screening Clinician with a master's degree other than one listed above that includes appropriate clinical training, a request may be submitted to DBHDS for review and a decision whether this requirement is met.

Per: Virginia DBHDS 07\-01\-16

Valid driver's license with a good driving record.