Youth Crisis Counselor II​/III - School and Community Based

Youth Crisis Counselor II/III - School and Community Based

Category:
Clinicians (e.g., Licensed, Licensed Eligible, LBA, BCBA)

Youth Crisis Counselors provide professional crisis intervention services to youth, specializing in managing acute distress, rapid assessment, and effective communication and coordination of services among multiple systems. Youth Crisis Counselors provide professional clinical assessments and diagnosis of individuals displaying acute signs and symptoms of psychological distress that indicate their being a threat to harm themselves or others or their inability or incapacity to care for themselves.

Youth Crisis Counselors rapidly work to seek resolution of the crisis based on Virginia Code, Performance Contract, and agency/regional protocols. They interview individuals, family, and collateral contacts in order to collect, evaluate, assess, organize, and document consumer information. They formulate, write, and implement clinical and diagnostic plans related to the needs of the individual. They coordinate and/or provide appropriate services and interventions in order to stabilize the individual in the least restrictive manner.

Face-to-face assessments are conducted to determine immediate needs of individuals, assessment of mental status, capacity, and financial capability.

Youth Crisis Counselors provide crisis stabilization, crisis intervention, assessment and out-patient clinical services to youth in the schools and community. Youth Crisis Counselors work as part of the team to assure services and resources are coordinated among providers as needed to help individuals served live and function optimally in the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide professional face-to-face, telehealth, and telephone crisis intervention services for youth (and concerned others) experiencing acute behavioral health distress. Respond to youth and the community in a timely manner to evaluate the need for immediate inpatient treatment or other appropriate less restrictive course of treatment.
• Provide assessment/pre-admission screening, crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, and counseling interventions to meet the needs of youth and/or families in the community. Assist youth with crisis resolution and general problem-solving. Develop effective and measurable individualized service plans for crisis stabilization and crisis intervention plans, as quickly as possible from onset of crisis, to avert hospitalization. Monitor the plan to ensure all needed services are provided as stated in plan, and changes plan as needed.
• Communicate and collaborate quickly and effectively with youth receiving services, families, and representatives of multiple systems by providing and gathering necessary information, as appropriate. Communicate and work professionally and effectively as a team with co-workers and school personnel. Coordinate arrangements with various agencies / hospitals / individuals / family members regarding the disposition of emergency cases.
• Document all required elements accurately in the electronic health record (EHR) at the conclusion of service delivery. Complete all reports in a timely manner. Assure all consumer records are in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements, as well as meet licensure and reimbursement guidelines.
• Effectively and professionally provide written, oral, and interpersonal communication with co-workers and community stakeholders. Maintain a good working relationship with both internal and external referral sources and provides community education or training as needed. Relay information on all face-to-face, telehealth, and telephone crisis case dispositions to appropriate agency programs and Crisis Services program staff to ensure appropriate follow-up and aftercare arrangements.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with agency policy and procedures. Know, understand, and follow all Virginia statutes and established agency and regional protocols.
• Demonstrate sound clinical judgement and strong risk assessment skills in evaluations and follow through. Staff cases as appropriate. Provide staffing consultation to others as requested.
• Attend and participate fully in scheduled staff meetings. Remain current on all trainings and certifications required of DBHDS, MRCS, and DMAS. Complete required trainings in the Learning Management System (Relias).

OTHER DUTIES:

• Perform such other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Must be willing to respond to individuals in the community who are experiencing mental health crisis. This includes travel to homes, schools, and other community settings.
• Evening and weekend coverage may be required in certain circumstances.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Requires demonstrated knowledge of crisis intervention models and theories and resources available to help youth with serious emotional and developmental disabilities, including individuals with co-occurring disorders, and their families/care givers in the community.
• Clinical competence in…