Crisis Clinician

Title: Crisis Clinician FLSA status: Full-time, exempt* 
Salary Range: $75,000-81,000 Reports to: Crisis Supervisor
Location: Basalt, Colorado (This position is located on the Western Slope of Colorado.)

Overview:
Aspen Hope Center is a private non-profit agency, established in 2010 to fill the gaps in mental health service, primarily immediate access to care. Opening with a 24-hour HopeLine, mobile crisis  and co-response team, and intensive stabilization program, the agency was the first-of-its kind in the state and remains the only freestanding crisis agency in Colorado. Serving individuals of all ages, Aspen Hope Center is widely respected for its integrity and honesty in work. Launching a successful school-based program and consulting with other counties and communities to stand up mobile crisis teams, Aspen Hope Center is proud of all the work that has been accomplished.

Job Summary: 
Aspen Hope Center crisis clinicians are the core staff member interacting with every client. Therefore, it is 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.

A crisis clinician’s role is to provide care and immediate mental health services to anyone who calls. Primary function is to assess and triage individuals who present with any type of mental health crisis – as defined by the caller. The role of the clinician will be to ensure continuity of care: an immediate and professional intake or evaluation, collaboration with proper agencies, referral to appropriate type and level of service, and advocacy for any treatment deemed necessary beyond the initial crisis. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Has set office and on-call shifts for answering calls via office landline or cell phone and provides appropriate information and referral to caller

• Understands that response time for a call is immediate. Clients should not have to leave messages

• Is available for on-site evaluation at the start of shift and response time should be within 30-60 minutes

• Assesses nature of the call and initiates appropriate response, intervention and level of service

• 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

• When on scene 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

• Staff cases, when necessary, with the admin on call

• Obtains proper paperwork and maintains strict adhesion to confidentiality

• Determines type and level of care for the individual assessed and documents accordingly

• Contacts other agencies (EMS, law enforcement, etc.) when necessary

• Initiates M-1 for involuntary treatment only when necessary

• Provides individual who was assessed (and/ or their family) with necessary written information for follow up and education, also for any consent that may be done with the agency or therapist receiving the individual for treatment

• Attends staff meetings with the clinical director/executive director

• Will establish and maintain strong interagency relationships, including first response agencies, 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 during shift change 

• All clinical 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

• Attends relevant trainings as needed for continuing education 

• English/Spanish bilingual abilities are a plus

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, conditional/provisional license or license eligible within 90-day probationary period)

• Experience in crisis role or proficiency in trauma and suicide assessments

Benefits for Full-time Employees:

• Paid time off

• Medical, dental and vision insurance available

• 403b contribution with discretionary employer match

• Employee wellness stipend

*A full-time Aspen Hope Center crisis clinician is salaried for 72 hours on call each week whereby they take calls, provide assessments, triage clients, follow up with previous clients and conduct any other business required. This time is deemed equivalent to 40 hours of full-time office work.

This job description is not an employment contract, nor is it intended to show every detail of the duties and requirements of the job. The job description is intended to provide a listing of primary responsibilities and tasks. The job description may be augmented by performance expectations and additional duties, which may be assigned either in writing or verbally at any time by management.

It is the established policy of Aspen Hope Center to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons and to administer all aspects and conditions of employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, severe or morbid obesity, marital status, ethnicity, alienage or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Aspen Hope Center takes allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation very seriously and will promptly conduct an investigation when warranted.Equal employment opportunity includes, but is not limited to, employment, training, promotion, demotion, transfer, leaves of absence, and termination.

Status: Full-time (A full-time Aspen Hope Center crisis clinician is salaried for 72 hours on call each week whereby they take calls, provide assessments, triage clients, follow up with previous clients and conduct any other business required. This time is deemed equivalent to 40 hours of full-time office work.) 
Salary range: $75-$81,000
Reports to: Crisis Supervisor