QMHP - Youth Crisis Outreach Team Specialist

About the role

The Youth Crisis Outreach Team (YCOT) Specialist works under the direction of the YCOT Supervisor. The YCOT Specialist plays a vital role in the implementation of the YCOT program, offering immediate support to youth along with their caregivers and families experiencing crisis situations.

Responsibilities

• Offer 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• Able 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.
• Good time management and organizational skills.