Licensed Clinical Therapist (911 Call Center)
New Hanover County (NC) - Wilmington, NC
posted 4 days ago
About the position
New Hanover County is seeking to hire Licensed Clinical Therapists for a new mental health program within New Hanover County. Funded through the county's mental health fund, these positions will be members of the Public Health Department and work within the 911 Public Safety Communications Center location. The Clinician will triage 911 calls from individuals experiencing crisis, mental health and/or substance use needs to determine the appropriateness of a clinical intervention in addition to/in lieu of law enforcement and/or emergency medical services. The team will use evidence informed intervention models rooted in harm reduction and trauma informed response principles that will provide behavioral health crisis response services to New Hanover County. The 911 Call Center Clinician will provide outreach by phone and in person to individuals experiencing non-violent behavioral health while working with other Emergency Communications personnel to dispatch resources as appropriate. This position will also intervene with persons who have frequent contact with 911 dispatch to explore and link to other service needs.
Responsibilities
- Provide short-term crisis counseling to clients in behavioral health crises utilizing harm reduction and trauma-informed care principles in a variety of community settings.
- Support clients in urgent crisis situations requiring immediate attention over the phone by evaluating needs, assessing risks, supporting caller stabilization, and dispatching appropriate resources.
- Clinical Therapist may co-respond to calls as appropriate.
- Obtain information and effectively triage a call to the appropriate level of care.
- Perform lethality, environmental risk, and safety assessments and effectively relay this information to responding resources as appropriate.
- Engage with individuals that are intoxicated or under the influence of controlled substances.
- Engage with individuals that are experiencing acute mental distress.
- Refer and link patients, clients, or family members to community resources as appropriate.
- Develop appropriate follow up.
- Maintain confidentiality and respect the boundaries of clients experiencing emotional distress.
- Follow training and protocols to safely de-escalate behavioral health crisis situations over the phone.
- Obtain appropriate paperwork and maintain strict adhesion to confidentiality, documentation, and record-keeping requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned that may be inherent to the position.
- Perform work during emergency/disaster situations.
- Coordinate referrals to services and related agencies to meet the needs identified.
- Develop a personal knowledge of topics related to mental health, crisis interventions and evidence-based practices.
- Participate in training opportunities to maintain individual and organizational competency and professional licensing requirements.
- Attend staff and office meetings, and coordinate services with other community partners.
- Maintain timely and accurate documentation according to agency standards.
Requirements
- Experience and education sufficient to obtain one of the following licenses: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA).
- Must be able to obtain Division of Criminal Information (DCI) certification through the NC State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) in addition to other state requirements.
- Out-of-state candidates that hold a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license may be considered for hire but must apply to the LCMHC NC board to obtain an LCMHC license before being hired.
- Provisionally licensed candidates may be considered. Priority consideration will be given to candidates with full licensure.
- Must have excellent communication and decision making skills, and be able to work independently in a dynamic environment.
- Valid Driver's License and good driving record required at time of application.
- Valid North Carolina Driver's License required by first date of employment.
Nice-to-haves
- Bilingual candidates are eligible to receive additional differential pay of 5% when performing Spanish language interpretation during the course of work.
Benefits
- Employer paid 401k contributions.
- Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system.
- Flex time and telework availability, depending on your position.
- Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid holidays per year.
- Paid parental leave.
- Paid community services leave to give back to our community.
- Paid education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options.
- Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center.
- Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives.
- Opportunities to make a difference in your community.
