Co-Responder

DescriptionPosition Summary:

The co-responder will work within the Athens-Clarke County Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Unit providing community-based interventions and assessments of individuals who meet law enforcement for a behavioral health related call. The goals of this exciting position include decreasing admissions to jail and providing appropriate interventions to individuals in crisis. The co-responder will be partnered with a trained police officer to provide assessment and interventions at various locations in the community once the scene has been determined to be safe. This position works as an employee of Advantage Behavioral Health but will be embedded within the Athens-Clarke County Police department.

Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards:

Support and assistance to Responding Officers

Supports police officers responding to and consulting on behavioral health related calls. This may include via the radio and/or phone.
Communicates important safety information to officers when appropriate.
Once safety has been determined, will also provide on scene crisis response and/or assessment with a law enforcement officer.

Assessments:

Conducts comprehensive clinical assessments and inpatient psychiatric screens as a part of crisis intervention
Identifies individual needs and diagnoses substance use and/or mental health disorders; assesses individual risk for suicide and other safety related concerns
Determines the need for inpatient psychiatric treatment or outpatient services and supports.
Provides referrals; interprets and communicates relevant information to officers, families, and treatment providers.

Coordinate Referrals:

If releases of information have been obtained, provide PD information on the Advantage treatment history and diagnosis information.
Assist in a “warm hand” off to the Treatment Facility (ABHS or other treatment provider)

Internal Case Management

Assist in crisis follow-up and treatment coordination within ABHS and/or outside treatment providers.
This includes referrals to individual, group, PSR-I, Case Management, Day Programs, medical, ITP, and ACT, CST, and EPIC Services.
Communicating with treatment staff on individuals seen in crisis and providing any info that may help the treatment provider in follow-up.

Follow-up and Outreach

Provides follow-up and outreach to individuals and/or families who may be dealing with MH issues and it is determined that they could benefit from outreach and/or resources in the community.

Program related documentation:

Assist in program related activities to include data collection, reports, and other documentation.

Completes clinical documentation as required.
Attend required trainings for the project and ABHS.
Maintain regular contact with Project Director.

The frequency will be determined based on the needs of staff and the program

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in a related area from an accredited college or university AND eligibility to be licensed in the state of Georgia AND two years of supervised experience in assignment.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Full Licensure and/or certification in one or more counseling, or social work fields; or associate license with any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.