Contract Clinician Flexible schedule; hybrid in-person/virtual

First Responder Mental Health Clinician

We are seeking an experienced, trauma-informed clinician to provide mental health services to first responders on a contract (1099) basis. This role involves delivering culturally competent mental health support tailored to the unique needs of police, fire, EMS, dispatchers, and related emergency personnel. Services may include individual therapy, crisis intervention and wellness support.

As an independent contractor, the clinician maintains responsibility for their schedule, documentation practices are required, and adherence to all professional and ethical standards.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Services

• Provide individual counseling, short-term therapy, and ongoing wellness support to first responders and their family members.
• Conduct mental health assessments, screenings, and treatment planning as appropriate to scope of practice.
• Facilitate group debriefings, critical incident stress management (CISM) interventions, and post-incident support.
• Offer stress management, trauma exposure, and prevention of burnout and compassion fatigue.
• Maintain appropriate clinical boundaries while supporting a high-risk, high-stress population.
• Carry a caseload of consistent clients.
• Oversee the daily treatment experience of each of his/her clients.
• Maintain appropriate documentation as required.
• Conduct assessments of clients at the time of admission and reassessments as required.
• Conduct mental status examinations.
• Provide appropriate treatment recommendations based on a review of the client's history, signs, and symptoms.
• Provide individual, couple/family, and group psychotherapy as needed.
• Ability to demonstrate respect for cultural and lifestyle diversity of clients and staff.
• Crisis intervention services.
• Treatment Planning.
• Complete Additional Sessions Requests forms as required.
• Participates in quarterly staffing meeting.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain timely, accurate, HIPAA-compliant documentation, including progress notes, assessments, treatment plans, and billing records.
• Adhere to federal, state, and local laws regulating clinical practice, including ethical codes and confidentiality laws.
• Knowledge of current legal standards pertaining to professional practice, reporting requirements, professional boundaries, and related issues.
• Maintain proof of independent malpractice insurance as required for 1099 contractors.
• Maintain proof of State License
• Maintain proof of Driver License

Collaboration & Communication

• Coordinate care with agency leadership (when authorized) to support workforce wellness and early intervention.
• Participate in meetings, training, and team case reviews as requested.
• Build trusting relationships within first responder culture while maintaining neutrality and client confidentiality.

Professional Standards

• Demonstrate cultural competency in first responder mental health, trauma, operational stress, and organizational dynamics.
• Maintain professional licensure, continuing education, and knowledge of evidence-based practices relevant to trauma and emergency services.
• Uphold contractor responsibilities such as managing personal schedule, maintaining required materials, and submitting invoices for services rendered.

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to actively listen
• Solid relationship building capabilities
• Conduct mental status examinations and current re-assessments as required
• Provide appropriate treatment recommendations based on a review of the client's history, signs, and symptoms
• Ability to demonstrate respect for cultural and lifestyle diversity of clients and staff
• Knowledge of current legal standards pertaining to professional practice, reporting requirements, professional boundaries, and related issues
• Ability to work as an integrated part of a treatment team
• Ability to manage crises and assess risk.
• Excellent management of caseload (including groups, individual sessions, and family contact/sessions).
• Strict adherence to HIPAA guidelines regarding patient confidentiality.
• Ability to establish appropriate boundaries with clients and staff.
• Commitment to cultural diversity and sensitivity.

Qualifications

Required

• Specific Qualifications may vary based on client
• Master's degree or degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related behavioral health field
• Active, unrestricted clinical license (e.g., LPC, LPCC, LMFT, LCSW, Psychologist).
• Minimum 23 years of clinical experience, preferably with trauma, crisis, or high-stress populations.
• Experience with evidence-based practices such as CBT, EMDR, ACT, TF-CBT, or similar trauma-oriented modalities.
• Strong skills in crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Ability to work independently as a contractor and manage one's own administrative tasks.

Preferred

• Previous experience working with first responders, military, or other high-risk occupational groups.
• CISM, ICISF, or peer-support experience or certification.
• Familiarity with first responder culture, shift work, and operational stressors.
• Bilingual abilities (Spanish or other languages).

Contract Terms

Status: Independent contractor (1099); not an employee.

Hours: Flexible; determined by client demand and contractor availability.

Compensation: Competitive hourly rate/ session rate (to be outlined in contract).

Insurance: Contractor must maintain active malpractice and general liability insurance.

Location: Agency offices, telehealth, onsite at first responder facilities, or community settings depending on assignment.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods during sessions.
• Ability to respond to crisis or critical incidents as needed (sometimes outside standard business hours).
• Must pass background checks if required by agency or first responder departments.

Work Arrangement: Flexible schedule; hybrid in-person/virtual depending on agency needs Service Population: Law Enforcement, Fire/EMS, Dispatch/Communications, and other First Responder personnel. Contractors will service Buellton CA, South San Francisco, Olympia WA and Tucson AZ.