Co-Responder Therapist-Licensed (S0324)

Axis Health System; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 34,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical (HDHP or PPO)

Health Savings Account

Dental

Flexible Spending Account

Vision

Dependent Care Account

Life Insurance

Short Term Disability

Pet Insurance

Long Term Disability

401k offering up to 4% match

College Invest plans

Annual Wellness Benefits

Professional development benefits

3 weeks of All Paid Leave (APL)

Personal Days

9 Company Paid Holidays

Loan Repayment Programs

Job summary

Axis Health System in Durango, CO seeks a Co-Responder Therapist to collaborate with law enforcement and EMS, addressing behavioral health crises and linking individuals to services. You will de-escalate, assess risk, provide brief counseling, and ensure continuity of care with strong documentation and teamwork.

The role emphasizes crisis intervention approaches, community resourcing, and partnership with responders to improve outcomes for diverse populations served.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a recognized mental health field.

Responsibilities

• Respond to behavioral health crises as first responder with law enforcement/EMS.
• De-escalate, perform risk assessment, and provide brief counseling.
• Link community members to appropriate services and resources.
• Document care and maintain continuity of care with partners.
• Collaborate with first responders and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal skills

Documentation

HIPAA compliance

Self-direction

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in mental health

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Durango, CO 81301, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Graduate Degree, Salary Range: $24.50 - $39.21 Hourly, Travel Percentage: Road Warrior, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: Health Care, Co-Responder Therapist – Licensed- Full Time – La Plata County, CO

Position Summary

The role of the Co-Responder Therapist is to work in collaboration with a law enforcement officer or emergency medical technician to respond to community members whose need for urgent intervention was reported through the Emergency Communication Center (911). The team(s) specialize in de-escalation, problem-solving, risk assessment, and community resource linkage. Co-responder teams have demonstrated improved interactions between law enforcement, first responders, and the people they serve. Communities have also recognized savings by connecting people to appropriate services and resources, rather than using more costly, higher-level interventions.

It is the role of the Co-Responder Therapist to act as a first responder to issues related to behavioral health crises which may include mental illness, substance use, and social determinants of health. The Co-Responder Therapist will utilize a working knowledge of crisis intervention approaches to provide intervention, support, risk evaluation and triage services for all populations utilizing the 911 system within the jurisdictional limits of the partner agency and program specifications. They will actively participate in patient continuity of care, brief counseling, referral, and prompt documentation. This includes an intense focus on community resourcing and linkage, requiring strong interpersonal skills and collaboration.

Qualifications

Candidate should hold a Bachelor's degree in one of the recognized mental health professions, and have a minimum of (2) two years’ experience in mental health field. They will also have experience in an emergency service setting or demonstrated competency. Preferred experience: Master's degree in one of the recognized mental health professions and be Colorado License Eligible/Licensed LPC, LMFT, LCSW or PsyD in the State of Colorado. Crisis intervention experience preferred.

Driver’s License

Must have current driver’s license and ability to be commercially insured and maintain a driving record that allows insurability with Axis Health System commercial insurance agency.

They must also be able to complete and apply training with law enforcement agency including basic tactical intervention, scene safety, basic firearm safety, defensive driving, use of CAD and radio systems.

Salary

• Co-Responder Therapist-Unlicensed: Base Rate $24.50 ($22.00 + Locale $2.50) - $27.64, per hour (non-exempt/hourly)
• Co-Responder Therapist-Licensed $34.38 (Base Rate $31.88 + Locale $2.50) - $39.21 per hour (non-exempt/hourly)

There is a locale differential at our Durango worksites. Pay range considers preferred experience and preferred education as described above.

Full-Time Benefits

• Medical (HDHP or PPO)
• Health Savings Account
• Dental
• Flexible Spending Account
• Vision
• Dependent Care Account
• Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Pet Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• 401k offering up to 4% match
• College Invest plans
• Annual Wellness Benefits
• Professional development benefits
• (3) weeks of All Paid Leave (APL) for first 2 years with full-time employment.
• Personal Days
• (9) Company Paid Holidays
• Loan Repayment Programs

Physical Demands

This community-based position functions in partnership with first responders on patrol or at a dispatch location. The employee will spend most of a workday in a vehicle issued by the first responder partner. The employee must be able to sit for longer periods of time in a vehicle and tolerate the movement of driving. Office space is available as needed for administrative activities.

Employee may occasionally be required to exert moderate levels of physical energy when response conditions require self-defense, ambulation assistance, or physical safety intervention. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Employee is frequently required to walk, sit, stand, or kneel and occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop.

May be exposed to stressful situations that involve enraged, distraught and/or intoxicated individuals with possible mental health issues.

Possible potential exposure to communicable disease.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Skills

• Must be knowledgeable regarding patient health information and HIPAA compliance.
• Must be organized and demonstrate the ability to follow guidelines.
• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must demonstrate the ability to be self-directed.
• Must demonstrate the ability to follow the organization’s confidentiality and security rules.
• A working knowledge of crisis intervention approaches and their applications to clients with emotional, behavioral, and substance abuse problems.
• Working knowledge of Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and DBT coaching skills.
• Ability to perform mental status evaluations, differential diagnosis, and service coordination duties.
• Ability to assess level of risk and treatment approaches and their applications to clients with emotional, behavioral, and substance abuse problems. Make appropriate clinical judgment for resolution of client emergencies to a safe outcome.
• Ability to deliver services in various community locations.
• Working knowledge of involuntary mental health holds (27-65), and alcohol and drug Emergency Commitments (EC) and Involuntary Commitments (IC).
• Working knowledge of HIPAA and 42 CFR, Pt. 2.
• Knowledge of community health and behavioral health resources and their eligibility criteria.
• Working knowledge of Windows based computer applications to include MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and Internet access.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including calculator, copy machine, fax, and multi-line telephone. Interpersonal and communication skills to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external customers.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload in a sometimes-hectic environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to follow established universal precautions and report potential exposure to a communicable disease immediately
• Must have current driver’s license and ability to be commercially insured and maintain a driving record that allows insurability with Axis Health System commercial insurance agency.
• Travel required

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Annual Flu immunization, Annual TB screening, de-escalation training within 90 days of hire, BLS certification required upon hire.

About our Axis Health System

We are the leading provider of behavioral health and integrated (primary, dental, and behavioral health) care on the Western Slope of Colorado. As a therapist in our clinic, you’ll have access to a wide range of resources for your patients. We have recovery groups, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), specialized mental health outpatient programs, primary care, diabetes education, crisis services, resource navigators, insurance enrollment specialists, tele-video systems to access our locations across the region and more. We work to make sure you have what you need at your fingertips to be successful in your position and support your patient in their road to recovery.

About Durango/Pagosa Springs

If you’re interested in Rocky Mountain wildlife, white water rafting, hiking in to discover nature’s most beautiful waterfalls, or a breathtaking car ride on the San Juan Skyway, then Durango and Pagosa Springs are the place for you! As with so many areas on the Western Slope, you have now entered an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Just minutes from zip lining through the treetops, to soaking in the Piedra River Hot Springs, located in the national forest, after a day of hiking any one of the many trails, and when the season is right, you can be snowboarding or camping in the mountains that surround this beautiful area. Take a ride on the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train and enjoy the stunning views of the San Juan National Forest. You’re also a mere 35-minute car ride to Mesa Verde National Park. Just outside the doors of our clinics, you’ll find beautiful parks with walking paths and opens spaces to enjoy. Durango has an airport located minutes from our clinics which has service to Denver, Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth daily. Learn more about our area here: Visit Durango, CO | Official Tourism Site of Durango, Colorado