CARE Clinician

The Cambridge Community Safety Department’s (CSD) mission is to provide additional services to enhance the community’s health and well-being. We value compassion in our prevention and intervention efforts. The Community Safety Department is guided by the following values: We are continuously learning, evolving and reimagining our approach in order to best meet the needs of the community we serve. We embrace a growth mindset and value curiosity, humility, and our shared humanity. We commit to living restorative practices such as building empathy, compassion, trust and mutual respect in all we do. We center relationships, partnerships, authentic collaboration and joy in our work. We are guided by the wisdom, insights, and experiences of those who came before us and those who are doing the work today to build solutions community-wide. We are intentionally laying groundwork for the future we envision. We are consciously not reproducing systems of oppression. We aim to create equitable, anti‑racist, and non‑discriminatory ways of serving our community. We acknowledge the historical implications of the criminal legal system and the harm it has done to our communities. With this understanding, we value the dignity and humanity of all people. The City established the CSD in response to a City Council policy order to develop an unarmed alternative response program, as well as in response to community concerns about supporting Cambridge’s most vulnerable residents and enhancing violence prevention efforts. The CSD’s CARE (Community Assistance Response and Engagement) team will respond to 9‑1‑1 calls for assistance that do not include scene safety concerns. The CARE team provides an alternative response model for non‑violent behavioral health crises with specialized field teams who serve as a primary response. These specialized teams employ their training as well as lived experiences to provide immediate and follow up support to individuals in crisis. The CSD will work toward operating 7 days a week and will respond to non‑violent behavioral health and/or homelessness crises. Teams will use their combined training, department policies, knowledge, and lived experiences to provide immediate support. This is a new Department that will be consistently adapting the model based on data collected over time. The CSD will embody a growth mindset with a culture of constantly learning and growing.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The CARE Clinician will provide clinical leadership and support for CARE Responders. The CARE Clinician will go out on calls with CARE Responders as well as triage requests for service that come from non‑911 referral sources. The CARE Clinician will also provide follow up services to community members with whom the Responders interact. The CARE Clinician will provide on call and back up coverage to CARE Responders in the field, as well as provide ongoing clinical leadership. The ideal candidates will bring flexibility, eagerness to learn and a willingness to shift approaches as new data is collected.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific duties/responsibilities include but are not limited to the following. Provide clinical leadership of CARE Responders. Support community members in urgent crisis situations requiring immediate attention over the phone. Provide guidance to Responders so they incorporate evidence‑based practices when developing treatment plans and selecting interventions. Assist Responders to ensure plans and interventions are based on each person’s assessed readiness and expressed interest. Accompany CARE Responders on calls. Obtain appropriate paperwork and maintain strict adhesion to confidentiality, documentation and record‑keeping requirements. Provide triage and telephone support for community members in behavioral health and/or homelessness crisis, intoxicated, or under the influence of controlled substances. Follow training and protocols to safely de‑escalate behavioral health crisis situations over the phone. Obtain information and effectively triage a call to the appropriate level of care. Maintain confidentiality and respect the boundaries of clients experiencing emotional distress. Develop appropriate follow up and safety planning with community members. Utilize harm reduction and trauma‑informed care principles. Perform other duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience/License/Certification: Graduate from an accredited Master’s of Arts in Psychology, Master’s of Education in Counseling, or Master of Science in Social Work (MSW) program. Current Massachusetts license LMHC, LMFT, LCSW, LICSW, or license eligibility. Minimum of 5 years relevant post‑graduate experience, preferably in mental health, community health or criminal justice setting. Minimum of 3 years of experience providing supervision or consultation in mental health crisis intervention. Must possess a Massachusetts valid driver’s license and successfully pass a CORI background check, driving history check, and drug screen. Must successfully complete and pass the CARE Training Academy within 120 days of employment. Available during the workday and while on‑call, at nights as needed. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Sensitivity to multi‑cultural populations and their experiences and perspectives. Ability to quickly create rapport with community members, and to navigate encounters with professionalism when attempts at rapport are challenging. Working knowledge of major mental illness, personality disorders, dementia, complex trauma, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, suicide assessment, safety planning and crisis de‑escalation. Ability and eagerness to spend time outdoors and in the community with vulnerable individuals, some of whom are experiencing homelessness. Ability to work independently yet collaboratively towards a common goal. Ability to learn and help navigate all applicable resources with patients/clients. Ability to maintain strong professional boundaries. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Some familiarity with psychiatric conditions, crisis de‑escalation, and recovery principles. Commitment to anti‑racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strong awareness of local social service providers/community resources. Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness. Experience working with individuals experiencing mental illness. Experience working with individuals experiencing substance misuse.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to climb stairs and move in any type of terrain. Occasionally lift or drag at least 125 lbs. Squat, stand, or kneel for prolonged periods of time. Maintain focus and composure when around bodily fluids. Ability to operate a cell phone, radio, and computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily in the field. Field work may include performing duties in hazardous areas, such as streets, medians, homeless encampments, wooded areas, alleys, confined spaces, and around potential biohazards such as used needles and human waste. This position involves exposure to individuals in varying degrees of distress.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please upload the following documents to complete your application: #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Cambridge