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Position Summary:
- LFS Crisis Response Co-Responders are embedded within the co-located law enforcement agencies. They accompany or are requested by officers responding to calls for or from citizens who appear to have a mental health or substance use concern.
Job Duties:
- Provide emergency crisis coverage to law enforcement for adults/youth exhibiting a behavioral health crisis. Respond with coverage within the identified time frame.
- Provide on-site, or if requested, by phone or telehealth, mental health assessments and clinical recommendations to law enforcement or other identified partners and the individual or family in crisis.
- Assist in de-escalation, with the goal of crisis stabilization, hospital, and jail diversion as appropriate.
- Evaluate and assess the severity of behavioral health symptoms.
- Services provided on the scene identified by the partner organization.
- Provide short-term post-crisis stabilization therapy for consumers willing to engage in services.
- Assist clients in identifying natural support and community resources to ensure stabilization.
- Complete risk assessment, screening, and make recommendations to law enforcement or identified partner agency regarding placement needs to ensure safety.
- Develop safety, treatment, and intervention plans as appropriate.
- Provide crisis safety plan for individuals not requiring Emergency Protective Custody (EPC) or hospital placement.
- For identified on-call or occasional staff only: provide coverage for identified times including the period of 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Calls from law enforcement must be answered within 2 minutes and be on site with law enforcement within 30 minutes (Douglas County) or 60 minutes (other identified counties).
- Complete necessary program documentation within the identified program time frame.
- Maintain programmatic direct service unit expectations if required.
- Create and continuously review and update program participants' symptoms and behaviors and adjust treatment/program and safety plan and required documentation accordingly.
- Provide behavioral health consultation (collaborate and coordinate multi-disciplinary team-based care with other LFS programs, outside agencies, and medical health homes).
- Provide on-call services on a rotational basis as required by the program.
- Maintain accurate, written clinical records of services provided per established agency, COA, HIPAA, and CCBHC standards. Complete documentation within established timeframes, including collecting appropriate signatures, registration forms, etc. Sign off, discharge per program plan.
- Timely completion of any provider enrollment forms and reports needed for third-party payers or other outside entities.
- Provide consultation and support training efforts for law enforcement to include ride along's, shift change updates, and involvement with the Crisis Intervention Officer Training.
- Develop a positive working relationship with area agencies, including but not limited to, County Boards of Mental Health, Probation, Diversion, State Criminal Justice System, helplines, and DHHS.
- Assist in the promotion of agency mission, services, workshops, and classes.
Requirements
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize.
- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
- Ability to guard confidentiality, including but not limited to client information and agency business.
- Ability to ensure services provided are billable and coded properly.
- Awareness and sensitivity of the organization's constituents, the populations served by employees, and ability to integrate cultural considerations into service delivery.
- Ability to document concurrently using electronic software or willingness to learn.
- Ability to deliver services to clients using an interpreter or via telehealth platforms.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
- Ability to seek guidance in handling difficult client situations and establish priorities for the position.
- Knowledge of assessment techniques and determination of mental health status using the DSM criteria guidelines.
- Participate in the peer review process, routine clinical supervision, and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities.
- Regular and predictable attendance, and promptness for work.
- Commitment to uphold the mission, vision, and values of Lutheran Family Services.
- Support Lutheran Family Services in the organization's objective to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplace.
Education and Experience:
- Master's degree from an accredited University in a Human Service program that provided preparation for professional counseling.
- Bilingual in English and another language is preferred (desired languages mirror the languages spoken by our client populations, including but not limited to Spanish, Karen, Pashto, Dari, Burmese, Somali, Arabic, Russian, etc.).
- Valid Nebraska Driver's license, proof of liability insurance, and ability to drive for work.
- Demonstrated skills and competencies to work with individuals with a variety of behavioral health, including but not limited to persons of diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Obtain and maintain appropriate licensure within a reasonable timeframe (see licensing requirements below).
License Requirements:
- Therapist I: Provisional License - Mental Health Professional (PLMHP) required.
- Therapist II: Provisional License - Mental Health Professional (PLMHP) AND Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counselor (PLADC) OR Provisional Master Social Worker (PMSW) required.
- Therapist III: Fully licensed with two full licenses (Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and/or Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LADC) required.
- Therapist IV: Fully licensed with one independent license preferred (Licensed Independent Mental Health Professional (LIMHP) and/or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Fully licensed with 5 years of experience and two full licenses required (Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and/or Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LADC)).
Position Competencies:
- Verbal & Written Communication
- Empathy
- Responsibility for Self-Development
- Taking Initiative
- Humility
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Hybrid work environment with laptop (office and field setting, including zoom/telehealth, office locations, and/or in-home).
- Reliable transportation (work-related travel between sites as needed).
- Ability to work a flexible work schedule, including evenings, weekends, or on-call or as needed for client care, program demand, and supervisor request.
- Occasional lifting of office items up to 25 pounds.
Lutheran Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of age, race, religion, color, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
