Youth Behavioral Health Liaison

Position Summary

Works cooperatively with Community partners to address specific behavioral health needs of vulnerable youth while resolving potential barriers to treatment. Provides outreach to youth identified by law enforcement and court system needing mental health services. Assists with coordination of care and linkage of services for identified youth and families. Works to divert from inpatient hospitalization residential treatment centers, and detention centers while supporting youth in natural family and/or community-based setting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

- Provides linkage to community-based services to high risk youth consumers as identified by court system and law enforcement, utilizing independent judgment and decision-making regarding appropriate treatment needed.

- Provides active outreach to youth who may be reluctant to engage in services and begins to develop a working alliance towards understanding their individual concerns and needs.

- Provides Crisis intervention to youth consumers who are experiencing a psychiatric or substance related crisis and utilizes professional judgment in determining intervention needed including the need for hospital evaluation.

- Ensures outcomes data is completed accurately and timely each month.

- Completes initial phone calls and follow up contact to parents/guardians of youth who have had recent law enforcement and/or court contact.

- Collaborates with the agency Youth Crisis team and community partners such as local hospitals, Children’s Division, Division of Developmental Disability and other youth serving organizations.

- Assists in facilitation of Youth CIT courses for area Law Enforcement.

- Completes progress notes in AVATAR within 72 hours of service provided which clearly reflect interventions provided and necessity of those interventions.

- Works independently to problem solve issues related to community resources to assist with basic needs as well as emergency situations, advocate for consumers in regards to receiving proper health care.

- Maintains knowledge of agency technology programs and/or systems needed to do the job and uses them effectively.

- Maintains required training and certifications.

- Maintains required agency productivity standards.

- Attends and participate in weekly team meetings and agency staff meetings.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Education:

- Master’s degree strongly preferred.

- Bachelor’s degree in human services field required.

- Annual TB screening required

- CPR/First Aid Training required

- Driver’s license and minimum state-mandated auto-insurance required.

Experience Required:

- Minimum of 2 years position related experience.

- Experience with youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Required Knowledge:

- Knowledge of crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques and assessment of suicidality in youth.

- Knowledge of the criminal justice system and community resources used in the provision of services.

Skills/Abilities:

- Ability to take initiative and communicate effectively.

- Ability to build therapeutic rapport with youth and adults.

- Ability to communicate effectively and handle confidential information appropriately.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. In addition, the clinician will be required to frequent drive within various locations within the catchment area.