Co Responder - Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LCSW / LPC / LMFT / LAC)

Employment Value Proposition: Mental Health Center of Denver provides you with the support you need to help you develop a career in helping others succeed. We innovate, adapt, and leverage the diverse perspectives of the people on our team and the people we serve in everything we do.

Meet the Hiring Manager:

POSITION SUMMARY: The Co-Responder program consists of a partnership between the Denver Police Department (DPD) and the Mental Health Center of Denver (MHCD). The Co-Responder program supports an overall effort to expand specialized law enforcement and behavioral health strategies tailored to meet the needs of people with behavioral/mental health concerns in the Denver community. The Co-Responder Unit aims to reduce the number of people with mental health issues in the jail system; to improve information sharing and coordination, as appropriate, across systems and service providers; and to reduce overall costs relating to people with mental or behavioral health concerns, including the use of emergency services. Clinicians work in close partnership with the Denver Police Department, responding to calls involving people who suffer from mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use issues. Clinicians are trained to assist people in crisis and provide the most effective services for resolution. Clinicians and officers collaborate to provide treatment in a format that best decreases current stressors and replaces them with long term community-based supports. Co-Responders also help identify community resources, alternative treatment options, and long-term community supports in any area identified by the individual. Co-Responders may work with one of the following agencies:

• Denver Police Department
• Denver Fire Department
• Denver Sherriff Department
• Support Team Alternative Response (STAR) Program
• Regional Transit District (RTD) CHROME Team

STARTING SALARY:

LCSW - $28.13/hr. - $33.76/hr.

LPC/LMFT - $27.14/hr - $32.59/hr

LAC - $21.57/hr - $25.90/hr plus $1.00/hour LAC differential

MH Therapist II (Master's level) - $22.52/hr - $27.02/hr

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Respond to mental Health related 911 calls and provide psychological evaluations/problem identification, crisis interventions, referrals and linkage to resources for consumers who are not arrested.
• Provide case management services to clients as needed or assigned as part of response to mental health related 911 calls.
• Develop crisis related treatment plans.
• Provide psychological consultation while responding to mental health related calls.
• Coordinate client's use of other city programs and outside community resources.
• Coordinate medication/medicinal needs of clients with psychiatrists, nurses, and other medical sources as part of crisis resolution.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records consistent with MHCD standards.
• Participate in team/department meetings, in-services, and supervisory sessions as required.
• Perform 27-10 (M-1) "mental health hold" evaluations in the community while responding to mental health related 911 calls.
• Maintain a trauma informed environment of wellbeing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS - Sherriff Co-Responders

Work within the Civil Division of the Denver Sheriffs Department to provide crisis intervention, crisis de-escalation and service coordination to individuals in eviction proceedings and individuals on court ordered medications.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS - RTD CHROME Team

Respond to mental Health related calls with the Regional Transportation Departments (RTD) Security officers and provide psychological evaluations/problem identification, crisis interventions, referrals and linkage to resources for consumers

EDUCATION: Master's Degree in social work, psychology, or similar field. Current license as a LCSW/LPC/LMFT in the State of Colorado, or masters with LAC and/or ability to obtain LPC/LCSW licensure within 6 months of hire in the State of Colorado.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of two years experience in clinical social work. Experience working with moderate to severe and persistently mentally ill populations.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge or ability to learn and practice trauma informed principles and practices.
• Knowledge of methods of psychotherapy.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to assess crisis situations and intervene appropriately.
• Familiarity with the DSM V and diagnostic techniques.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work flexible and on-call hours which may be required.
• Must have valid drivers license and good driving record.
• Spanish speaking preferred
• LAC or CAC III preferred

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist with program supervision of students/volunteers as determined appropriate.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to sit, stand, bend and reach, drive, operate standard office equipment such as phone, computer, facsimile, copier/printer, and other business machines. Occasional lifting up to 40 lbs.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS: Ability to give, receive and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials and articulate goals and action plans. Must understand people from all walks of life and be able to communicate effectively with them.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT: May require occasional evening, weekend or on-call hours. Some local travel depending on position. Will ride with Denver Police Department (in coordination with 911 communication center) in response to low-level mental health related 911 calls.

DENVER SHERIFF DEPARTMENT: May require occasional evening, weekend or on-call hours. Some local travel depending on position. Will ride with Denver Sheriffs in response to evictions and probate court pick up orders.

DENVER FIRE DEPARTMENT: May require occasional evening, weekend or on-call hours. Some local travel depending on position. Will ride with Denver Firefighters in response to mental health related 911 calls. Will also field referrals from Denver Fire and follow up as needed.

STAR PROGRAM: May require occasional evening, weekend or on-call hours. Some local travel depending on position. Will ride with EMS (in coordination with 911 communication center) in response to low-level mental health related 911 calls.

RTD CHROME Team: May require occasional evening, weekend or on-call hours. Some local travel depending on position. Will ride with Denver Police officers in response to mental health related 911 calls.