Mobile Youth Crisis Clinician

Under the supervision of the Crisis Clinical Coordinator, the Crisis Clinician provides rapid response screening, assessment, and counseling intervention services to youth and families experiencing urgent psychological and emotional problems (e.g., aggressive and defiant behavior due to emotion regulation issues, suicidal/homicidal ideation, family conflicts). The role focuses on maintaining safety and implementing therapeutic treatment plans in a community-based setting.

Responsibilities

• Conduct risk assessments and use critical thinking to determine the least restrictive level of care.
• Utilize knowledge of warning signs and risk factors for suicide and harm to others.
• Develop safety plans and provide evaluations, diagnosis, and therapeutic crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and their families.
• Provide therapeutic recommendations and referrals for follow-up services.
• Communicate with the DPBHS team and other stakeholders to maintain a systems-based approach to crisis stabilization.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation from intake through discharge.
• Administer solution-focused and trauma-informed interventions to address problem-solving, communication, and relationship conflicts.
• Uphold professional standards, ethics, and the organization’s mission.
• Participate in a clinician on-call rotation, including after-hours telehealth (11 PM–7 AM, 2–3 days per month).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in a Human Services field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Travel to client locations as needed.
• Education/training in suicide risk prevention and intervention (preferred).

Skills

• Reliability and flexibility
• Customer service and professional communication (written and verbal)
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Assessment and intervention skills

Benefits

• Retention bonus: $625
• Competitive compensation with incentive pay for specific roles
• Flexible/hybrid work environment (community-based)
• Generous benefits and time-off policies
• On-call pay available
• Paid training

Schedule

• Weekday and weekend availability required.
• On-call rotation for after-hours telehealth (11 PM–7 AM, 2–3 days per month).

About the Organization

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (DGS) is the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services to children and families in Delaware. As the only statewide not-for-profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO, DGS operates offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford.

DGS offers a range of services, including outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and school-based services. The Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) provides 24-hour statewide crisis intervention. In 2021, DGS clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours, with over 93% of clients reporting improved functioning. Services are available regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.