Mental Health Co-Responder

The University of Arizona, Campus Health Service (CHS), seeks a qualified candidate for the position of Mental Health Co-Responder. The position is responsible for responding to mental health crises on the U of A campus and surrounding community. Co-Responder is a specialized clinical position serving as a mental health consultant and liaison for the U of A Police Department (UAPD) both internally and with campus and community partners. Co-Responder clinician will be paired with UAPD officers to provide mobile crisis response for behavioral health crises/mental health welfare checks. The Co-Responder provides culturally responsive crisis assessments, disposition planning, and follow-up care coordination. This position will consult and provide support to Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) during portions of their shift. This is a new position for the university and will require flexibility and eagerness in developing and sustaining this new program. The hours of operation for this position are Mon. - Fri. 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM and may be subject to change.

CAPS is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice. To support the mental health and wellbeing of all students by creating an environment of trust, respect, and openness. We are dedicated to honoring individual differences and experiences We recognize that mental health is deeply impacted by experiences of marginalization and oppression and strive to work with our clients in a culturally informed and sensitive manner. At CAPS and CHS, we believe that cultural responsiveness requires continuous learning, both personally and as an organization, and are committed to making CAPS a safe, affirming, and welcoming space for staff and for all U of A students. The CHS was the first fully accredited college health service in the nation and in the Princeton Review, the CHS has been ranked in the top 4% for Best Health Services for the past nine years. The CHS is committed to positioning itself as an exceptional student health center by fostering an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse backgrounds of our employees and the community we serve. It is a diverse organization of over 150 employees who are committed to improving the health and safety of college students. For more information on the CHS, please go to https://www.health.arizona.edu.

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• Provide
  a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach to crisis outreach,
  crisis de-escalation, and clinical assessment as a Co-Responder with
  UAPD during mental health calls or welfare checks.
• Advocate for any student, staff/faculty, or non-affiliate who presents on campus and is experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Respond to requests for welfare checks and/or emergent/critical mental health concerns.
• Provide
  an alternative mental health response to law enforcement in supporting
  persons on campus when there are no safety concerns for an intervention.
  
• Provide
  follow-up coordination of care for students seen in crisis to ensure
  they are connected with appropriate mental health and University of
  Arizona supports and services on and off campus.
• Collaborate
  as needed with University of Arizona partners including the Office of
  Public Safety and Campus Life Departments (Dean of Students Office,
  Survivor Support Services (survivor advocacy), Housing & Residential
  Life, Disability Resource Center, and Fraternity & Sorority
  Programs).
• Facilitate
  voluntary hospitalizations and evaluations for involuntary petitions
  (Title 36) as needed for those who meet the criteria.
• Coordinate
  with mental health facilities and other agencies receiving students on a
  petition to provide collateral information and coordination of care
  during the time that the petition is being initiated.
• As needed, provide after-hours crisis care coordination to students who have presented at the end of the workday for CAPS.
• Provide
  front-line staffing of CAPS' clinical crisis system, including
  short-term, in-person, and/or telehealth interventions & assessment
  of current mental health status to stabilize clients in crisis and
  determine appropriate disposition. Recommend the appropriate level of
  care and inpatient hospitalization when indicated.
• Offer
  pertinent resource information and referrals to students and
  individuals whom UAPD Police Officers encounter in situations involving
  substance use.
• Provide appropriate information and coordination of care with Victim Advocate and Survivor Support Services.
• Provide
  Crisis Care Coordination and follow-up as needed with campus and
  community partners for high-acuity students or individuals of concern.
• Collaboration, outreach, and training to campus and community partners.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge
  of the legal and ethical guidelines and best practices in crisis mental
  health, assessment, and voluntary and involuntary hospitalization
  processes.
• Ability to stay calm and de-escalate individuals in mental health crises or in escalated situations.
• Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse population by applying a trauma-informed, multicultural perspective.
• Strong multicultural competence and commitment to social justice advocacy, diversity, access, and inclusivity.
• Ability to jump into challenging situations with limited information.
• Ability to provide assertive leadership, direction, and guidance to first responders and community members in crises.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to work independently and be able to manage crises in novel and unexpected situations and settings.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple entities, especially with law enforcement.
• Must be able to work long periods in variable inside and outside conditions.
• Must be willing to partner with others in a wide variety of workspaces, vehicles, and external areas.
• Must be able to make impactful, independent decisions without direct supervisory oversight.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Master's degree or higher in an applied mental health field (e.g., Social Work or Counseling) from an accredited institution.
• Currently an Associate licensed in the State of Arizona as a Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Counselor (LAC.
• Minimum
  of 5 years of related work experience, including 2 years of crisis
  intervention experience, or equivalent combination of education and work
  experience.
• Clinical experience providing counseling services.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
• Must be willing to work as needed, including nights, weekends, or holidays.
• Training in nonviolent crisis de-escalation techniques.
• Experience and expertise regarding crisis intervention and assessment of risk to self and others.
• Experience navigating complex systems of care and utilizing systems-informed consultative skills.
• Experience maintaining clinical records and documenting risk assessments in compliance with ethics, law, and best practice.

• Currently Independently licensed in the State of Arizona as a Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Counselor (/LPC), or licensed psychologist.
• Advanced training and/or experience in risk assessment, de-escalation practices, and crisis intervention.
• Experience with first responder and public safety systems.
• Crisis system experience preferred (i.e., mobile crisis team, mental health hotlines, psychiatric hospitals, and high acuity community mental health clinics).
• Experience with psychopathology and diagnostic systems.
• Prior clinical experience in a multidisciplinary clinic setting.
• Prior experience in college mental health, and/or public mental health including crisis assessment and management, mental health triage, brief psychotherapy, and referrals, as indicated.
• Experience with utilizing an electronic health record.
• Experience in working with individuals from Asia, the Middle East, or other non-Western cultures, which might also include language proficiency.
• Experience working with SMI and unhoused populations.
• Bilingual (Spanish).
• Experience with electronic medical record-keeping and documentation.
• Experience providing training both individually and in large group setting.