Clinical Mental Health Crisis Clinician

Job Description
The Hope Center, Eagle River Valley, is a new expansion of the Aspen Hope Center in the Roaring Fork Valley. The eight-year-old non profit agency is launching its newest project in Eagle County and beginning a co-response program with law enforcement and the Eagle County Paramedics.

The Hope Center Crisis Clinicians are held to the highest standard of professionalism, efficiency, compassion and teamwork. Their role is to provide care and immediate mental health services to the Hope Center clients. Primary function is to assess and triage individuals who present to the Center for help with mental health issues. The role of the clinician will be to insure continuity of care: an immediate and professional evaluation, collaboration with proper internal or external therapists, referral to other agencies, and advocacy for any treatment deemed necessary beyond the initial crisis.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Hope Center Crisis Clinician is the core staff member interacting with every client. It is therefore essential that all interactions are conducted in a professional, courteous and ethical manner. The clinicians are responsible for making sure each caller is treated with compassion and time is taken to determine the appropriate course of treatment.

Shifts are split between office and on-call
Understands that response time for a call is immediate
Conducts evaluations in office or on site (site response should be within 30 minutes)
Assesses nature of crisis calls and initiates appropriate response
Manages a 911 crisis scene when requested by first responders – this may be grief support or navigating the medics, officers, investigators, coroner and more while keeping community members in the loop of what is happening and helping them to cope
Where appropriate clinician will provide immediate crisis intervention services including suicide risk assessment, mental status exam and assessment of any other psychological and physical needs
Collaborates with family or other appropriate persons, relevant to the situation at hand
Completes proper paperwork and maintains strict adhesion to confidentiality
Contacts other first responder agencies (EMS, law enforcement, etc.) when necessary
Initiates M-1 for involuntary treatment only when necessary
Able to work beyond the initial crisis and continue to work collaboratively for days or weeks. This includes contact by phone and/or in person
Will assist in discharge planning for individuals following any inpatient care, and coordinate any outpatient follow up that is deemed necessary. Will maintain contact with patient for the first few days of returning home and to the community.
Clinician will choose a community activity that will be part of his/her position. Trainer for Suicide Awareness or other classes, group facilitator for a school or community group, etc. This can be chosen after hire.
Attends staff meetings with the medical director/executive director
Will establish and maintain strong inter-agency relationships, including local mental health professionals, human service agencies and psychiatric facilities throughout the state.
Communicates all shift activity verbally and in writing to the clinician taking over call during shift change
All documentation for shift activity is required to be completed and in the system prior to ending a shift. If a shift spans more than 24 hours, documentation for the day must be completed before the next business day
Participates in monthly supervision with clinical director
Attends relevant trainings as needed for continuing education
Clinician is versed in all policies of the Hope Center
Full Time Status Description:

A full-time Hope Center Crisis Clinician is salaried for 72 hours on call each week where by they take calls, provide assessments, triage clients, follow up with previous clients and conduct any other AHC business required. This on-cal/office mix is deemed equivalent to 40 hours of full time office work.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of DSM-IV TR and DSM 5 diagnoses and symptoms
Knowledge of local and agency resources for referrals
Skilled at assessing level of suicidality in individuals who present for help
Skilled at working with various types of individuals and knowing how to approach each one
Skilled in basic computer operations – Word, internet use and data management
Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives without supervision
Ability to maintain boundaries with clients, practitioners, agencies and community members
Ability to uphold confidentiality at all times and when sharing information with those who have signed releases, ability to use the minimum necessary rule is imperative
Ability to maintain composure, professionalism, and structure in any given situation
Ability to maintain communication with clinical team on a daily basis
Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems

Credentials and Experience

Masters degree in counseling, psychology, social work or related field
Colorado state license preferred (or at minimum, license eligible within 90-day probationary period))
Five years experience in crisis role or proficient in trauma and suicide assessments
Job Type: Full-time