BEST Criminal Justice Diversion Police Co-Responder, Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30a-3:30p

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 Department 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.

Essential Responsibilities / Duties

• Respond to 911 calls with the Boston Police Department, where behavioral health concerns have been identified.
• Identifies the factors contributing to the individuals' crisis and completes a crisis evaluation.
• Determines the most appropriate clinical level of care necessary and communicates these recommendations to first responders, the individual, and as relevant, their family or community providers.
• Develops and maintains a liaison relationship with community providers in the areas of mental health, substance use, homelessness, etc.
• Refers patients to appropriate outpatient services if appropriate, and engages in a warm hand-off to receiving providers.
• Completes thorough and accurate documentation in a timely manner.
• Provides case consultation as necessary, to first responders and community providers.
• Maintains documentation and records for all cases in accordance with program requirements.
• Attends all individual supervisions, and clinical and staff meetings.
• Maintains competency in the field via ongoing continuing education and by maintaining applicable licenses up-to-date.

Education

• Master’s Degree in social work, counseling, or related field required by start date.
• LCSW/LICSW or LMHC license eligible required.

Experience

• Experience in crisis response across all age ranges is a plus.
• Clinical counseling experience with individuals experiencing behavioral health crises preferred.
• Experience working with crisis intervention services and community resources desirable.
• Experience working with first responders is desirable.

Knowledge And Skills

• Knowledge of community resources and agencies that serve individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
• 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.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills (beyond that of English) appropriate to the patient population served is a plus.

Compensation Range

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being. NOTE: This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.