Youth Crisis Counselor

YOUTH CRISIS RESPONSE COUNSELOR (PART-TIME)

Classification: Part-Time (Up To 29 Hours), Non-exempt

Reports to: Youth Program Team Supervisor

Work Location: 100% In-Person, Bel Air, MD 

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 PT Youth Crisis Response 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. 

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

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

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 

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 0-18.

•  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, and 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 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

•  Complies with all mandatory reporting laws

•  If applicable, maintains professional licensure according to regulations established by professional board

•  Participates in at least monthly 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 work collaboratively as part of a team

•  Demonstrates knowledge related to crisis response and to youth behavioral health needs and car

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.

Employee Benefits: