Mental Health Clinician

Job Title

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Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Receives referrals and reviews application materials for potential intakes to Children's Crisis Residence, completing virtual and in-person assessments and collecting information to determine individualized needs and 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, developing written, person-centered, trauma-informed individual support (ISP) and crisis plans that address the youth's needs in accordance with the agency philosophy and OMH guidelines and assisting with intake-related needs.
• Regularly collaborates with the program leadership and staff, promoting and maintaining the excellence of the program and protecting 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 and 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 (ISPs)and crisis plans by therapeutic youth support staff by regularly monitoring implementation, data collection and charting and reviewing and assessing responses to therapeutic interventions; modifies plans and interventions accordingly to increase effectiveness and to address new and changing individual needs.
• Actively participates in the implementation of treatment, including facilitation of therapeutic activities for youth and regular observation of program staff providing support or collecting data to provide feedback and ensure consistency in documentation and data collection.
• Provides individual, group and family therapy on an ongoing basis during the youth's stay based on individual needs and may provide additional support or share clinical information with new providers following discharge.
• Completes and maintains all clinical documentation and paperwork in appropriate systems on a timely basis and in accordance with all relevant laws, rules and/or regulations and established processes, including but not limited to written plans, treatment, therapy or session notes, assessments and data collection results and all interactions with other departments and/or external entities regarding youth supported.
• Provides therapeutic support during youth crisis, using de-escalation and intervention supports or supporting program staff in implementation of crisis plan to support deescalation through effective techniques, redirecting and/or prompting youth.
• Develops professional, empathetic relationships with families and service providers, acting as a representative of the program, advocating for the youth we support and fostering communication between relevant supports.
• Provides education and information to program staff to ensure understanding and appropriate implementation of ISPs and crisis plans, consistent and complete data collection, charting, etc. in accordance with all requirements and regarding other clinical matters relating to individual children, including updates or changes to plans and regarding mental health or crisis, in general.
• Regularly participates in case conferences, discharge and other individual-specific and interagency meetings regarding youth with director and other applicable stakeholders including external providers, providing insights and receiving updates regarding youth supported.
• Serves as Administrator-on-Call (Available/On Call Supervisor) with other program leadership on an as needed basis and 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 in compliance with all applicable requirements, including making applicable notifications for emergencies and incidents.
• Stays abreast of updates and best practices in mental health and counseling, specifically those that relate to children who are in crisis and 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) and ensures cooperation with appropriate entities in any inspection, inquiry or investigation.
• Performs all other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• 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); and
• 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; or
• Satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training. However, 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.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• 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.

Compensation

• $75,000.00 Annually

All qualified applicants will receive 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. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.