Mental Health Counselor (CTI) - Community Support Program

Scope of Position

The Licensed Mental Health Counselor will serve as a key member of the Governor’s Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Team, a time-limited, evidence-based program designed to support individuals during critical life transitions. This role focuses on promoting community integration, self-advocacy, and long-term stability by connecting participants to essential resources such as behavioral health care, housing, and benefits.

Essential Position Functions

• Conduct assertive outreach and engagement using strength-based approaches, starting during inpatient or emergency department visits;
• Collaborate with local hospitals, treatment providers, and family members to identify individuals in need of care;
• Assess participants' health and social needs using CTI’s assessments and risk tools, focusing on those at high risk.
• Participate in hospital discharge planning to connect participants to appropriate community resources;
• Provide after-hours (24-hour) coverage on a rotating basis;
• Offer short-term therapeutic counseling and support pre- and post-discharge;
• Collect and report data to inform future care delivery, working with team leaders and data analysts.
• Resolve clinical issues impacting participants' ability to access and retain community services;
• Build relationships with community providers to ensure appropriate service connections during transitions;
• Assist with appointment navigation, including accompaniment, re-engagement in care, and overcoming barriers.
• Facilitate crisis interventions, referrals, and hospitalizations as needed;
• Conduct psychosocial assessments to determine medical, psychiatric, housing, and social needs;
• Gather historical and collateral information to support participants' health needs;
• Monitor and document participant progress toward care plan goals.

Qualifications

• Licensed master’s degree or higher in social work, mental health counseling, nursing, or psychology.
• Experience with individuals with SMI, co-occurring SUD, and/or homeless populations is preferred, but not required.
• Knowledge of community and homeless resources is a plus.
• Familiarity with counseling principles for mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Understanding of treatment, rehabilitation, and community support programs for individuals, families, and staff.
• Skills in crisis management, de-escalation, and identifying potentially violent behavior.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and adjust treatment interventions to meet individual needs.
• Strong report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in Health Information Technology and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.