Youth Crisis Counselor

 YOUTH CRISIS RESPONSE COUNSELOR

Classification: Full-time (40 Hours), exempt Reports to: Youth Program Supervisor Work Location: 100% In-Person

This position operates as an essential employee. All members of Harford Crisis Response (HCR) are the frontline, first response workers for mental health in Harford County. HCR employees are employed through the Office on Mental Health/Core Service Agency of Harford County, Inc. (OMH/CSA). The Youth Crisis Counselor shall minimally have a graduate degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, or a related field with preference given to those with licensure of LMSW or LGPC equivalent or greater. All direct care workers are cross trained to provide multiple types of crisis response as part of HCR’s mission to make timely and effective crisis care available and accessible to the community.

Requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to operate agency vehicles as a condition of employment.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides crisis interventions to clients experiencing mental or behavioral distress to deescalate situations. Priority of intervention response is given to clients in crisis ages 0-21.
• Provides in person, community based, crisis interventions to clients experiencing mental or behavioral distress to deescalate situations; utilizes the least invasive intervention; participates in active rescue as required and as a last resort
• Answers hotline calls and provides phone counseling services
• Enters timely, accurate and complete documentation of hotline calls, dispatches, and other client and collateral contact in the electronic health record
• Works effectively as a collaborating member of the care team, including case debriefing with partner or other team members as needed
• Establishes routines and procedures for daily client follow-up
• Interviews clients, reviews records, conducts assessments, and confers with community providers to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients
• Collaborates with community providers to plan and coordinate treatment
• Refers clients to community resources for housing and treatment to assist in recovery from mental illness or substance use, following through to ensure service efficacy
• Educates clients about mental health, substance use, and available community resources
• Monitors, evaluates, records, and provides follow-up on client progress with respect to agency mission and treatment goals
• Assists clients in adhering to treatment plans by scheduling appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing additional support, as needed
• Completes assigned training
• Contributes to a culture of “yes” and “no wrong door” at Harford Crisis Response
• Assists with daily office upkeep tasks with the team
• Follows guidelines and protocols established in the Program Handbook and Agency policies
• Provides afterhours coverage, as assigned
• Is available to work evenings and weekends, as assigned
• Provides training internally and externally on best practices in youth crisis response services
• Provides outreach and support internally and externally related to youth crisis and behavioral health care
• Assists in tracking and reporting data associated with positional grant funding
• Adheres to privacy standards including professional guidelines, HIPAA, and limits to confidentiality (i.e., mandated reporting).
• Participates in at least biweekly supervision
• Provides Holiday coverage, as assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned

Performance Standards

• Demonstrates outstanding interpersonal skills
• Ensures timely and accurate resource referrals, case follow-up, and documentation
• Demonstrates knowledge of community relationships with agency and externally
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates ability to resolve problems and to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Demonstrates knowledge related to crisis response and youth behavioral health needs and care

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds at times.
• The ability to wear personal protective equipment in accordance with agency COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

There are potential risks to crisis response work including but not limited to:

• Entry into environments with poor sanitation standards
• Entry into environments with insect or rodent infestations
• Exposure to people displaying volatile, unpredictable, or aggressive behavior, and/or to highly charged emotional situations
• Exposure to weather conditions including snow, rain, and heat
• Exposure to persons with infectious diseases

Employee Benefits: 

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance 
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Employee Discount Program
• Clinical Licensure Reimbursement Program