Mental Health Therapist - BH Crisis Center - FT (Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm)

Location: UH Behavioral Health, Kansas City, Missouri. Department: Community Mental Health Center. Position Type: Full time. Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (40 hours/week).

About the role

Provides clinical screening, assessment, and service coordination within the Hospital Diversion/Emergency Room Enhancement Program, which serves as a short-term bridge to ongoing care for individuals with complex and intersecting behavioral health, physical health, substance use, and basic support needs. The primary responsibility is to determine an individual's appropriateness for program services, identify presenting needs and risk factors, and guide the development and delivery of individualized, short-term stabilization and care coordination services.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical screenings and risk assessments
• Develop diagnostic impressions utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
• Provide crisis intervention as appropriate
• Determine recommended services and referrals consistent with program criteria and the individual's identified needs
• Provide clinical guidance regarding service planning and interventions
• Collaborate with case managers to coordinate care, address barriers to treatment, and facilitate connections to appropriate community-based resources and ongoing supports
• Utilize sound clinical judgment, evidence-informed practices, and a person-centered, recovery-oriented approach to support stabilization and successful transitions from the emergency department or Crisis Center to ongoing treatment
• Perform outreach, follow-up, and case management activities to promote engagement in services, support continuity of care, and reduce barriers to treatment participation
• Collaborate with hospital personnel, Crisis Center staff, case managers, behavioral health and substance use treatment providers, and other community partners to coordinate services and support effective transitions across care settings
• Promote appropriate use of crisis and hospital services, strengthen connections to community-based care, and reduce avoidable emergency department utilization

Requirements

• Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, family therapy, or a related field
• One of the following Missouri licenses (or actively working toward it): LCSW, LPC, LMFT, PLPC, LMSW, or PLMFT
• If not yet licensed, agreement to begin the licensure process upon hire and follow all required steps under supervision
• Knowledge of mental health terminology, diagnosis, and treatment approaches
• Basic research skills and a solid understanding of mental health theory and practice
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work well in a team
• Good judgment, adaptability, and leadership qualities
• Completion of assigned training during onboarding
• If driving is part of the role, must meet company driving policy standards and maintain them