Children's Crisis Stabilization Unit Clinical Consultant

Description

The Clinical Consultant provides clinical oversight and guidance to the Children's Crisis Stabilization Unit (CCSU) to ensure services are delivered in accordance with organizational clinical standards, policies, and best practices. 

This role provides specialized clinical expertise and support to the Crisis Unit team in the assessment, management, and treatment of children and adults experiencing mental health, behavioral, or emotional crises.

The Clinical Consultant works collaboratively with staff to promote safe, effective, and clinically appropriate interventions; support sound clinical decision-making; and ensure individuals and families receive high-quality, trauma-informed care. 

The position also supports consistency in clinical practices, documentation, risk assessment, crisis response, and compliance with applicable regulatory and organizational requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assessment and Diagnosis: Conduct thorough assessments of individuals in crisis to determine mental health status, risk factors, and immediate needs, including assessment for trauma, depression, anxiety, and other psychological conditions.
2. Developing Treatment Plans: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including nurses, therapists, and social workers, to develop individualized treatment plans that may include therapy, medication management, and behavioral interventions.
3. Providing Crisis Intervention: Provide immediate support to individuals experiencing acute distress through de-escalation, supportive counseling, safety planning, and other appropriate crisis intervention techniques.
4. Training and Supervision: Provide guidance and training to paraprofessional staff on best practices for working with individuals in crisis, including trauma-informed, person-centered, and developmentally appropriate interventions.
5. Collaboration with Families and External Resources: Engage support systems in the treatment process and promote effective communication between systems of care to support continuity of care and coordination of services.
6. Developing Protocols and Procedures: Assist with creating and refining protocols and procedures for managing individuals in crisis to promote a structured, compassionate, and safe environment.
7. Consultation and Support: Provide clinical consultation regarding complex or challenging cases, offer support to staff, and promote the ethical and effective delivery of services.
8. Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration: Participate in team meetings and care coordination activities and provide clinical insight regarding client progress toward treatment goals within the scope of the Crisis Unit program.

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.

General Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality of client and company information.
• Provide a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals seeking mental health, substance use, co-occurring, community support, rehabilitation, and social services.
• Follow all required policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the team.
• Interact respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, identities, and abilities.
• Remain available and flexible to meet client and organizational needs, including overtime as needed.

Physical Requirements

• The physical requirements described are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• The employee is regularly required to sit and stand, including prolonged periods of sitting and standing, walk, talk, and hear, as well as operate standard office equipment, including a computer keyboard and mouse. 
• The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 10 pounds. 
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Requirements

• Work is performed in a residential setting with individuals who may experience emotional dysregulation. 
• The work environment may include fluctuating noise levels and moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions during periods of client escalation.

Schedule of Employment

• This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Employees are expected to be available to cover weekends, evenings, awake overnights, and holidays. 
• Due to the unpredictable nature of crisis services, employees may occasionally be asked to provide coverage during scheduled time off or remain on site beyond their scheduled hours to support adequate service delivery. 
• Compensation will follow applicable Wage and Hour guidelines and the agency's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

Supervisory Relationship

The Clinical Consultant – Crisis Unit reports to the Lead Crisis System Clinician.

Benefits Offered

Health

Dental 

Vision

Life with supplemental insurances

403B with match

Tuition reimbursement

Pet insurance

Health savings accounts

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance programs

PTO and floating holidays

Requirements

• This position requires a Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling or a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology.
• Licensure as a Social Worker, Clinical Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Counselor, or Clinical Psychologist in the State of Maine.
• An MHRT-CSP credential is required. Employees who do not currently hold the credential must complete the MHRT-CSP training within six months of hire.
• MANDT  (Day 1) and First Aid/CPR are required and will be provided by the agency. Employees are responsible for maintaining all required certifications throughout employment. 
• The ability to pass a background check and meet other licensing or regulatory requirements is required at time of hire and throughout employment.