Crisis Response Clinician (Temporary)

FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY OF SAN FRANCISCO; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Felton Institute seeks a Crisis Response Clinician to serve in the Adult Division in San Mateo County as part of a joint BHRS/Belmont police program. The clinician responds to 911 calls, provides crisis evaluation, and coordinates care for individuals with mental health or substance use concerns.

The role operates in a co-response model with a police officer, offering office space, a cell phone, and a police radio. A 40-hour week is typical, with possible weekend shifts and on-site work.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field and active CA licensure/association status.
• Clinical assessment, diagnostic and evaluation skills.
• Experience with adult/youth clients with co-occurring disorders and serious mental illness.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Proven collaboration with multidisciplinary professionals.

Responsibilities

• Perform crisis evaluations and document behavioral symptoms.
• Determine hold status under W&I 5150 and follow procedures.
• Link clients to appropriate resources when 5150 not met.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and county peers on crisis response.
• Conduct risk assessments (suicidal/homicidal/grav Disability).
• Provide outreach counseling and connect clients to behavioral health resources.
• Utilize Trauma-Informed Care and evidence-based practices.
• Work weekends as needed.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Crisis intervention

Cultural competence

Communication skills

De-escalation techniques

Team collaboration

Bilingual abilities (preferred)

Education

Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Psychology, Counseling Psychology or related field

California State Licensure or registered as an associate

Tools

AVATAR/SOARIAN/CIRCE

Job description

Crisis Response Clinician

Adult Division

Agency Overview

Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services that transform lives. Our organization offers 60+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our programs combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where we encourage the use of professional development, that staff can utilize throughout their career.

Program Description

This is a partnership between San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) and the Belmont police department. This position requires a licensed or waivered/registered mental health clinician to respond to 911 calls that involve one or more individuals that may be exhibiting behaviors consistent with mental illness or substance abuse.

The position is a 40-hour work week. This position may require some work hours on the weekends. Work schedules will depend on the department’s highest call volume time. Clinicians will be provided with office space/equipment, a cell phone, and a police radio to respond to calls. This is a co-response model; a clinician and a police officer will be dispatched to the scene of all calls of those identified as suffering from a mental health crisis.

Specific Responsibilities

• Perform initial diagnostic evaluation during a crisis noting behavioral symptoms which may indicate organic and/or mental disorders in children, youth, or adults.
• Determine whether individuals are holdable on a W&I 5150 and follow appropriate procedures.
• Determine other resources to connect individuals to who do not meet criteria for 5150.
• Work closely with different law enforcement communities.
• Participate in monthly San Mateo County Field Crisis Consultation Committee (FCCC).
• Perform suicidal/homicidal/Grave Disability risk assessments.
• Conduct home visits and/or field-based services as necessary.
• Crisis Intervention responses situations deemed as necessary
• Provide outreach counseling and refer clients to appropriate behavioral health resources.
• Collect and evaluate medical or psychosocial data such as case histories, behavior patterns and family relationships of patients/clients.
• Follow up with individuals where appropriate who are reluctant to engage with resources.
• Work as a psychiatric team member with other treatment disciplines.
• Utilize Trauma Informed Care and other Evidence-based practices.
• Provide consultation and education services to community partners, other agency providers, and clients when appropriate.
• Ability to work weekends.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

• Master’s Degree (or higher) in Social Sciences, Psychology, Counseling Psychology or related field AND current California State Licensure or registered as an associate. Two years post graduate experience preferred.
• Solid clinical treatment, assessment, diagnostic and evaluation skills.
• Experience delivering services to adult and/or youth consumers who have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders with serious mental illness.
• Demonstrated expertise, skill and interest in working with a broad range of clients of diverse cultures and backgrounds, and an ability to provide culturally appropriate and proficient services.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with families, co-workers, other professionals, collaborative partners and the public.
• Extensive knowledge of available community resources within the County of San Mateo and its neighboring counties.
• Experience using electronic health/medical record systems (e.g. AVATAR/SOARIAN/CIRCE.
• PREFERRED: Fluency in any of the threshold languages: Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin) or Russian; and experience providing clinical services using bilingual skills.
• Experience with specific modalities harm reduction, contingency management, substance use disorder treatment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and motivational interviewing
• Outreach in settings that include shelters, SROs, hospitals, and other assigned areas.
• Charting and documentation experience under insurance payors such as medi-care, Medi-cal, and special population funding.
• Consultation and leadership experience in multi-level programming.
• Good negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Verbal de-escalation training and practice experience
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Additional Information

Reports to: Program Manager

Job Type: Temporary (6 months)

Work Schedule: Onsite

Salary Range: $120,000 - $130,000 Annually (will be adjusted based on 6 months duration)

IMP NOTE: Job responsibilities are subject to change according to program requirements