BEST Criminal Justice Diversion Police Co-Responder/Mental Health Clinician

BEST Criminal Justice Diversion Police Co-Responder/Mental Health Clinician

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. It´s a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care, BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to all—and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet – an integrated health care delivery systems that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

Position: BEST Criminal Justice Diversion Police Co-Responder/Mental Health Clinician

Department: BEST

Schedule: Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) Criminal Justice Diversion Police Co-responder provides direct services to children, adolescents, and adults in crisis.  This clinician will work collaboratively with the Boston Police and be available to assist BPD officers with calls for individuals exhibiting signs of mental distress, to provide assessments on-site, in the community, or at the police district and deliver rapid access to community mental health, substance abuse and psychiatry services, including urgent linkage to other components of the BEST system.

The Mental Health Clinician will work with therapists, counselors, human services professionals and social work professionals to assist with a variety of issues, including abuse, neglect, court-related problems, and other mental health concerns. Our goal is to deter residential/in-patient placement and to safely assist clients in returning to their homes and communities.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

CLINICIAN DUTIES:

• Utilizing the department’s assessment tool as a guideline assesses patient (and family or caretakers) to ascertain specific mental and social problems. Identifies those issues which must be addressed to formulate a plan.
• Provides on-going counseling services and/or psychosocial support to patient and family to reduce the impact of identified problems.
• Reports any and all suspected cases of abuse and neglect and follows up to ensure patient receives timely comprehensive consultations and compliance with legal mandates.
• Consults and collaborates with healthcare team members to insure that patient’s emotional and social needs are addressed.
• Ensures that inpatient and family remain apprised, involved, supported and treated through prescribed clinical relationship through at least weekly contacts and whenever a change in care or plan requires more contact.
• Provide collateral services necessary, including coordinating services with court personnel, medical providers, community agencies, voluntary support groups, etc.
• Documents each patient encounter in the medical record or the Department clinical record concurrently according to Department policies.
• Submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames.
• Promotes awareness of mental health issues, seeks to reduce the stigma of seeking assistance for mental health illness through education and links to services that are available in the community.
• May assist law enforcement or other agencies in providing analyses of behaviors and psychological assessment, as permitted by law.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Master’s degree in mental health field (social work, psychology, or relevant field) must be obtained by start date. Clinical licensure or eligibility is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Experience in delivering mental health services to traumatized children or families is a plus.
• Clinical counseling experience with families affected by violence or trauma
• Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve families affected by trauma or homicide
• Experience working with crisis intervention services desirable
• Ability to function and make decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work on an interdisciplinary team.
• Cultural sensitivity and comfort with a wide range of racial and ethnic populations.
• An organized work style, good follow through skills and ability to keep organized written documentation
• Demonstrated skills in the provision of services in a multicultural environment.
• Experience in health or hospital settings desirable
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served is a plus.
• Preference given to applicants who reflect the cultural and language diversity of the Boston Medical Center patient population.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans