QMHP - Youth Crisis Outreach Team Specialist

The Youth Crisis Outreach Team (YCOT) Specialist works under the direction of the YCOT Supervisor. The YCOT Specialist will play a vital role in the implementation of the YCOT program, offering immediate support to youth along with their caregivers and families experiencing crisis situations. The purpose of the YCOT Specialist is to provide crisis intervention, screening, referral, relapse prevention, and follow-up/case monitoring services for youth and families who are experiencing crisis situations within LifePath Systems catchment area. This role involves trauma-informed interventions, crisis resolution, and ongoing support to ensure the well-being and mental health stability of the individuals served. Work involves developing and maintaining professional contact with youth and their families, and service providers for medical, social, educational, psychiatric and related service needs to specifically reduce youth crisis experience. This position’s actions and work must align with LifePath Systems values and goals, regulations, and policies and procedures, and meet all documentation standards and regulatory requirements.

• Develop and maintain professional contact with youth served and their families, as well as partner providers for medical, social, educational, psychiatric and related service needs to specifically navigate crisis resolution. The YCOT Specialist Provides on-site and off-site emergent/urgent screening assessments with rapid crisis intervention and crisis management to youth and family experiencing a behavioral or emotional crisis with the potential for life threatening behavior and/or acute psychiatric crisis.
• Provide trauma-informed interventions and strategies to de-escalate youth in psychiatric crisis.
• Collaborate with the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Crisis Intervention Services (CIS), Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) to facilitate stabilization in the least restrictive environment.
• Coordinates and provides appropriate referral and linkage services after staffing with YCOT supervisor/or designee. Develop and implement relapse prevention and safety planning strategies for youth and family in crisis.
• Ensure ongoing communication with the individuals served and their families to provide support and guidance.
• Collaborate with Emergency Department, Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or Local agencies for youth and family to divert from inpatient and law enforcement interventions.
• Ensure a seamless connection and coordination with community mental health resources and clinics to facilitate continued support beyond the crisis period.
• Responsible for coordination, planning, and implementation of the Safety Plan as required for appropriate level of care.
• Seek clinical consultation as needed from the YCOT Supervisor and/or supervisor identified.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting metrics to the YCOT supervisor
• Make accurate and effective assessments and recommendations regarding the youth's mental health needs in compliance with rights and preferences as well as all relevant State and Federal statutes, and Lifepath Systems policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain rapport with persons in crisis using modalities such as Motivational Interviewing and other relevant and appropriate methods to communicate and relate with callers in order to resolve crises.
• Hours and shift assignments: Position requires a flexible schedule due to a variety of rotating shifts including evenings.
• Duties and projects may be assigned or changed to meet program and community needs.

Travel is required and can vary from 20% to 100% per day within LPS catchment area.
This role may be required to use a fleet vehicle and and/or a personal vehicle for program needs. This may include, but not limited to field & home visits, off-site meetings, co-located sites and/or pick up items for program needs, etc. If your program requires transport of individuals, this would only be allowed with a company vehicle and approval from management.

Specific Targets: Include completing assessments as soon as possible and within the required response time based on the urgency level of each case. Ensure documentation is completed concurrently and signed by the end of shift. Assigned follow ups are completed at 24 hours, and up to 90 days if clinically necessary, but no less than 30 days. Shift report is communicated at the end of each shift. 90% of full chart reviews receive a score of 80 or higher.

 

Hiring for shifts MON-FRI 12PM-8PM

Hours may vary; flexibility is needed with hours.

Education, Training, & Experience (including licensure & certification)

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related behavioral health field.
• Minimum of two years of experience in community mental health working with youth and family having severe persistent mental illness and substance use disorders that includes crisis services.
• Master’s degree in human services field preferred.  
• English/Spanish bilingual preferred.
• Must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license. 
• Experience in providing psychosocial education, skills training, or assessments, particularly with the target population.
• Experience with participating in a treatment team that develops and monitors treatment plans for persons with severe persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.

 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Can think clearly and logically, to deal with potentially dangerous and/or emotional situations, and utilize de-escalation techniques.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and strategies.
• Knowledge of community resources, of case management principles, objectives, standards, and methods; and of program policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and strategies.
• Write clearly and professionally on all services and internal communication
• Can think clearly and logically, to deal with potentially dangerous and/or emotional situations, and utilize de-escalation techniques.
• Respond to individuals with patience, empathy and understanding 
• Work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively as needed and have effective communication with supervisory staff and community partners when necessary. 
• Organized, detail oriented, computer proficient, and able to prioritize appropriately.
• Microsoft Office Suite skills - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., with an ability to become familiar with company-specific programs and software.
• Experience in working case-management with youth and family or field crisis response teams.
• Ability to assess individual’s needs, to coordinate services, to communicate effectively and to train others.
• Have the knowledge of the social services system and the ability to connect individuals with appropriate services.
• Have good time management and organizational skills.