Crisis and Access Line Associate Clinician

Description

Crisis and Access Line Associate Clinician

Department: CRISIS Programs (Crisis Response Interventions Synchronizing Integrated Services)

Location: South Valley 2 Suicide Prevention –Hyrbid Option Available after 90 day in-person training

Reports to:  Crisis and Access Line Program Manager

Status: Full-Time, 2:30 pm-11:00pm

Pay Range:  $87,360 – 98,670/yr

FLSA: Exempt
 

Organization Information

WellSpace Health believes that everyone deserves to be seen, no matter who you are, where you come from, where you work or what place you call home. We see you and are here for you. To that end, we have committed ourselves to finding solutions for our community’s health and well-being to achieve regional health through high-quality comprehensive care.

Our focus has always been to offer a full range of quality medical care, dental care, mental health, and behavioral health services and enabling services to underserved people.  We do this by placing ourselves within the communities we serve and employing outstanding healthcare professionals who are devoted to our mission.

We are a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and are accredited by the Joint Commission for Ambulatory Care and Behavioral Health. We are also certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Care Medical Home and a Behavioral Health Home.

Position Summary

The Crisis and Access Line Clinician is responsible for answering crisis and access phone calls providing risk assessment, crisis intervention, triage, emotional support, safety planning, and linkage to appropriate resources for callers in mental health or substance use crisis. Responsible for screening youth and adults, and dispatching mobile crisis units when appropriate.  Keep accurate records, maintain the confidentiality of calls and callers, and assist with crisis center other clinical activities. Engage in ongoing training and regular clinical supervision to maintain quality care and adherence to standards of practice for the crisis center.  

Required Qualifications

• Registered in good standing with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as an ACSW, AMFT, APCC
• BBS registrants who have passed the CA Law and Ethics Exam are preferred.
• Two years of experience in a variety of clinical assessments, treatment planning, and counseling issues, including suicide risk, chemical dependency, co-occurring disorders, and trauma-informed care preferred;
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including weekends.
• Experience with brief interventions, including Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy preferred; 
• Successful completion of all crisis center and mobile crisis services benefit training and crisis line counselor exam with passing score and/or final evaluation before being released to work alone.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing and demonstrate a high level of listening skills.
• Ability to abide by standards of professional ethics and adherence to national standards, training, and practices in the field of suicide prevention.
• Demonstrated commitment to high-quality care for people who have been underserved and sensitivity when working with a variety of people from low-income populations with diverse educational, lifestyle, ethnic, and cultural origins, including people who have substance abuse disorders, HIV, physiological impairments, disabilities, and unhoused community members.
• Skilled in the use of technology, including multiple line telephones and Microsoft 365.  Experience with electronic health records is a plus.
• Compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations as they pertain to the position, including HIPAA, sexual harassment, Mandated Reporting, Scope of Practice, OSHA, etc.
• Fluency in additional languages is desirable.
• Commitment to HIPAA and ability to abide by standards of professional ethics and maintain confidentiality.
• Adherence to infection control procedures, including but not limited to standard precautions of temperature monitoring, hand washing, symptom self-monitoring, masking, and social distancing.
• Assist and support the Center/Department/Program to meet standards of High Reliability.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.

Essential Responsibilities

• Respond to Access and Crisis Line  callers, patients and staff.
• Provide risk assessment, behavioral health triage, youth and adult screening, crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, and warm referrals to callers consistently and non-judgmentally.
• Adhere to national standards, trainings, and practices and accurately assess individuals for suicide risk following evidence-based assessment protocols and practices; provide adequate and relevant safety/action planning for callers as needed. 
• Ensure compliance with established protocols to safeguard the well-being of callers.
• Identify and manage high-risk, high-needs callers with appropriate interventions. Effectively connect high-risk callers with appropriate mental health services, emergency resources, or follow-up care. Demonstrate skill in coordinating with external agencies, such as emergency services or mental health providers
• Provide timely and effective referrals to necessary services.
• Dispatch community mobile crisis teams according to established protocols.
• Provide Motivational Interviewing and Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for people with substance use disorders.
• Conduct follow-ups to ensure continued support and connection with resources. Implement structured follow-up procedures to monitor the caller’s well-being and ensure continuity of care. This may involve scheduling additional support or making referrals for ongoing treatment
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation of all interactions in accordance with WellSpace Health (WSH) and county regulatory policies.
• Adhere to billing standards and ensure documentation integrity.
• Document and maintain all data collection, reporting, and charting records in accordance with WSH and/or county regulatory policies and billing standards.
• Consult regularly with the Clinical Program Manager to support a trauma-informed approach and enhance cultural sensitivity and effectiveness in crisis intervention services.
• Provide callers with self-management skills and tools to enhance their participation in their own treatment and recovery.
• Understand community resources and referral process for County Access and Crisis Line callers.
• Offer and provide follow-up calls as clinically indicated or required by the program.
• Maintain confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements for all caller communications.
• Apply trauma-informed principles to ensure interactions are sensitive to the caller’s past experiences. Recognize signs of trauma and adjust responses to minimize re-traumatization
• Maintain ethical standards in all interactions, ensuring confidentiality, informed consent, and respectful treatment of all callers. Recognize and address potential biases in clinical judgment.
• Comply with all Mandated Reporter requirements and documentation.
• Ensure that all documentation reflects accurate, timely, and complete records of risk assessments, interventions, and safety plans. Follow organizational policies for documentation and data protection.
• Maintain a 60/40 hybrid work schedule, if approved for hybrid work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Successful candidate will receive regionally competitive salary, above average health benefits at reduced costs, company paid life insurance & long-term disability insurance, additional voluntary retirement plan with company match and no vesting schedule requirement.

• Paid bereavement and jury duty leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid time off
• Paid sick leave
• Flexible Spending Program
• Company paid malpractice insurance for all providers
• Professional development hours offered annually

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The work environment is characteristic of a medical clinic environment.  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands and arms to reach.  The employee is also required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.   The employee must also possess hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the phone.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves or their homes. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care.  The employee may also be exposed to bodily fluids (blood, urine) and hazardous chemicals.

WellSpace Health is committed to the principles of equal employment.  We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations.  It is the intent of WellSpace Health to maintain a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.  WellSpace Health is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

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

                                                          WellSpace Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualifications

Salary : $87,360 - $98,670