Co Responder - Mobile Response Team

Caring. Hope. Giving back. Our mission at the Bert Nash Center as the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) of Douglas County is to advance the health of the community through comprehensive behavioral health services responsive to evolving needs and changing environments. We accomplish this by believing in our team. Each person that works for the Bert Nash Center contributes directly to the success of our clients, organization, and community. Our values of compassion, integrity, equity, and hope reflect in everything we do.

This full-time position has a schedule aligned with the Lawrence Police Department (LPD) Mental Health Team (MHT) schedule, currently Tuesday – Friday from 7 am – 5:00 pm.  This position requires a flexible schedule for calls pertaining to high distress individuals, provides consultation for community-based interventions and mental health and/or substance abuse related assessments of individuals who encounter Lawrence Police Department's Mental Health Team.  Ability to support the Mobile Response Team in meeting scheduling requirements that ensure operation of crisis services 365 days a year will incorporate working holidays falling within schedule with holiday compensation. Position will remain open until filled. 

Salary is commensurate with experience and will involve shift differentials.  This position is full-time, salaried, exempt, and eligible for our benefits. Bert Nash offers excellent benefits which include medical, dental, vision, KPERS retirement, life insurance, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing free counseling and resources, and generous PTO. 

OVEWRVIEW:

The Co-Responder serves as a QMHP that works in conjunction with an assigned specially trained LPD Officer as part of a joint operation named the MHT.  The purpose of the Co Responder embedded within the MHT is to provide an alternative response to LPD calls for service involving individuals potentially or perceived to be experiencing a mental health crisis.  This collaboration ensures a balance of effective behavioral health service provision to the community and decreasing unnecessary trips to the emergency rooms, avoiding preventable arrests, and reducing repeat mental health calls for the LPD by connecting people to the appropriate resources. 

The Co-Responder will respond in person to 911 behavioral health calls alongside LPD once safety has been determined on scene and can involve high risk individuals. The Co- Responder will assist in de-escalation; assess the immediate needs of the individual (suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, psychosis, psychiatric services, housing, food, medications, medical issues etc.) with the goal of crisis stabilization.  The Co-Responder reviews police reports flagged for mental health, determines appropriate next steps including follow up needs after the initial call to ensure the crisis has resolved, and if additional resources are needed; this could also be after other 911 calls, like domestic violence, fatalities, or traumatic experiences. All in person interventions will be accompanied by a LPD Officer.

The Co-Responder role is perfect for a clinician who has a strong passion for Public Service and improving the intersections between law enforcement, behavioral health, and community members. The goals of the program include decreasing unnecessary trips to the emergency rooms, avoiding preventable arrests, and reducing repeat behavioral calls for the LPD by connecting people to the appropriate resources.

REQUIREMENTS:

This role requires ability to work with persons with severe and persistent mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, and/or substance abuse issues, especially those experiencing a psychiatric crisis; and possess demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to react effectively in a variety of human service situations.  This role requires working closely with law enforcement and crisis intervention personnel to problem solve complex situations and develop plans for immediate and appropriate interventions.  Ability to assess for, recognize, and effectively respond to potential or actual risks is essential.

This role requires a Master's in a human Services field with State of Kansas licensing as a Social Worker (LMSW, LSCSW), Psychologist (LMLP or LCP), or Professional Counselor (LPC, LCPC).  Applicants who meet full Kansas licensure requirements may be considered if Kansas licensure is obtained by time of an employment offer and licensure is pending confirmation at the time of employment.  Prior experience in delivery of crisis intervention or emergent

A qualified candidate for the role will have consistent application of professional, ethical, and clinical judgement; excellent organizational and clinical skills; the ability to be responsible working independently and in tandem with others; positive interpersonal skills with ability to promote and maintain a high performing team environment and dynamic; and ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.  A qualified candidate would be required to pass all Bert Nash personnel and licensing requirements with the addition of a background investigation conducted by the LPD.  Familiarity with law enforcement culture is helpful for effective interface.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Understand and follow all safety protocols determined by LPD as well as safety guidelines and policies of BNC and Mobile Response Team.

Ability to interpret written materials, write reports and business correspondence, and effectively present and respond to questions.

Maintain method of accurate data collection to demonstrate program accountability for stakeholders and to contribute to program development.

Develop reliable working relationships with personnel from multiple systems to maintain effective communication with law enforcement, behavioral health service agencies, and community partners.

Work closely with law enforcement and multidisciplinary partners to problem solve complex situations and develop plans for immediate and appropriate interventions.

Conduct comprehensive assessment of individual risk for suicide and other safety related concerns; determine appropriate level of care (may include involuntary screening) and need for medication evaluation of referrals, and ongoing provision of services, and/or crisis intervention.

Strive to develop intervention plans that prevent or reduce admissions to restrictive settings when other interventions can meet the needs.

Conduct hospital admission screens and follow the admission process as needed.

Testify in Court when involuntary hospitalization is required to assure safety.

Coordinate care, treatment needs, and further behavioral health follow-up in consultation with BNC Mobile Response Team (including leadership), Crisis Continuum, and appropriate treatment team members as needed.

Submit accurate documentation and service records, shift status reports, timesheets, and all work-related paperwork in a timely manner and in acceptable format as determined by agency, state, and team requirements.

Complete any occurrence/incident reports per BNC and MRT procedures.

Respond to community requests for critical incident debriefings, education, and training opportunities as coordinated through BNC and LPD.

Attend team and agency meetings as coordinated through BNC and LPD.

Receptivity and acceptance of feedback/coaching to promote professional and performance growth and development.

Complete all required BNC trainings and onboarding within 90 days, maintain Kansas licensure, fulfill BNC and LPD required duties in a timely manner.

Facilitates trainings with respective Police Departments regarding role and mental health related topics; participate in presentations in the community regarding the Co-responder program.

Assist in program related activities to include data collection, reports, conferences and relevant trainings

Additional responsibilities may be assigned as circumstances warrant.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

This job operates largely in a community setting including periods of time within a police patrol vehicle and in professional settings including Lawrence Police Department Headquarters and BNC.  This role routinely uses standard office and mobile equipment such as computers, phones, printers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.  Must be able to perform the day- to day physical requirements of the position, including sitting for long periods of time, frequently moving around the building and community, the ability to drive distances in the light and dark with valid driver's license and reliable transportation, ability to lift up to twenty-five pounds, and data entry into various computer software programs.