Crisis Care Therapist

Job Description

Job Description

BASIC JOB FUNCTION:

The Therapist is responsible for providing direct clinical services for ABLE’s new 24/7/365 Mobile Crisis Care System, which serves the North Lawndale Community.

Mobile Crisis Care was developed to provide an effective, immediate response to individuals presenting with a mental health crisis anywhere, anytime. Mobile Crisis Care teams are dispatched into the community, at any location where the person is experiencing a non-violent crisis .Crisis services include assessment, treatment, stabilization, and linkage to appropriate services, diverting individuals from unnecessary Emergency Room or legal system involvement.

Therapist’s Key Responsibilities: (1) facilitate de-escalation, crisis assessments, safety planning, and coordination/provision of stabilizing therapeutic services; and (2) works collaboratively with a dyad to provide those services.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, experiences, skills, and/or ability required to perform the job. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

1. Knowledgeable of SAMHSA's National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care System.

2. Assist with triaging crisis-related needs presented by the resident and collaterals (e.g., community-based provider, police department, or hospital).

3. Provide crisis assessments, evaluations, and stabilization services to residents: individuals, couples, families, and groups in person or via telehealth.

4. Implement therapeutic interventions aligned with best-practices, such as solution-focused brief therapy.

5. Be adept at making complex level-of-care decisions for a wide range of residents.

6. Review and ensure the fidelity of intake appointments, client orientation, and mental health assessments for the Complete IM-CAT (Illinois Medicaid Crisis Assessment Tool) training

Essential Duties and Responsibilities continued…

7. Work closely with the supervisor to ensure that billable services are documented accurately and within assigned time frames.

8. Understand case management needs and facilitate linkages/referrals. This requires knowledge of federal, state, and local resources of various agencies providing services to the community.

9. Provide advocacy for residents and maintain communication with providers.

10. Complete and submit all required clinical documentation within required time frames.

11. Ensure that all clinical records are compliant and up to date.

12. Actively participate in weekly team meetings, case presentations, individual and/or group supervision.

13. Participate in agency and community meetings, as required.

14. Attend workshops and training for professional development as required by IDHS and I AM ABLE.

15. Gain knowledge about various agency-wide programs and functions to meet agency and client needs.

16. Maintain ongoing communication regarding the treatment process with the Program Supervisor.

17. Ability to work non-traditional hours.

18. Other duties as assigned by the Program Supervisor or CEO/President.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS :

1. Three [3] years post-masters experience providing therapeutic interventions (preferred).

2. Three or more years of experience working with populations exposed to trauma.

3. Strong knowledge of unique challenges associated with individuals experiencing homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug and/or alcohol abuse, disabilities, and/or other mental/emotional disorders.

4. Comfortable and experienced working in inner-city communities (highly preferred) .

5. Strong ability to work with others to achieve a shared outcome in an effective way.

6. Strong written and verbal communications skills.

7. Excellent time management skills.

8. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Data Entry software, and telehealth platforms.

9. Crisis experience, a plus.

10. IM-CAT and IM+CANS (Illinois Medicaid Comprehensive Assessment of Needs and Strengths) training, a plus.

EDUCATIONAL AND ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS :

1. Education: Master’s degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, community counseling, clinical mental health counseling, or a related field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

1. A valid driver’s license, current car insurance and access to a motor vehicle is required.

2. Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.

3. Ability to lift up to 10-15 lbs.

I AM ABLE is an equal employment opportunity employer dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of all its employees without regard to age, gender, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, political or union affiliation, maternity status, parental status, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.