Mental Health Co-Responder Clinician - Substance Use Disorder

The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance.

HIRING RATE: $43.02 - $47.80/hour

This position is funded through a grant and is subject to the availability and continuation of grant funding with the intention of continued reapplication.

A preferred working schedule of 10am-8pm Tuesday-Friday with weekend rotations throughout the year is anticipated.

The hiring process requires a thorough background check and this must be complete before the candidate is hired.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the SUD Co-Responder partners with law enforcement to respond to behavioral health calls, with a focus on individuals experiencing substance use challenges. This role provides on-scene crisis intervention, de-escalation, and clinical assessment, with the goal of stabilizing individuals and connecting them to appropriate treatment and community resources.

Co-Responders work to divert individuals from the criminal justice system and unnecessary emergency department use by recommending appropriate levels of care. They provide short-term case management following crises, supporting individuals and their networks in accessing ongoing services and preventative supports.

Program Goals:

• Promote mental health-based responses over criminal justice involvement
• Increase safety and stabilization for individuals in crisis
• Reduce overuse of emergency services for behavioral health and substance-related calls
• Improve access to community resources and treatment, including for opioid and other substance use disorders

Co-responders are responsible for resource navigation and preparing legal documentation for the transfer of individuals to appropriate levels of care such as mental health holds (M1), court-ordered mental health evaluations and court-ordered emergency commitments (EC).

This position will be a four 10-hour FTE schedule.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Respond to behavioral health calls involving substance use alongside Lakewood Police Department Agents providing crisis intervention, assessment, evaluations, problem identification, and referrals to appropriate levels of care. 
• Work independently while collaborating with team members and supervisors in high stress and active environments.
• Demonstrate knowledge of behavioral crisis situations in a law enforcement setting. 
• Demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively within a police department and alongside community-based professional staff. 
• Responsible for keeping and vetting a network of resources and referral sources to meet the needs of the client population. 
• Ability to multi-task and effectively prioritize situations. 
• Assist and/or execute appropriate mental health holds (licensed clinicians).
• Provide care coordination and follow-up and support smooth transitions from community agencies.
• Provide short-term case management with high-utilizing clients to identify problems, look for alternative care options and help problem-solve alongside clients. 
• Maintain accurate and timely case management records. 
• Participate in team meetings, in-service training, and clinical supervision as required. Come prepared to supervision with cases to staff and provide clinical input on other team members’ cases in a strength-based manner. 
• Participate in proactive, preventative outreach efforts to individuals struggling with behavioral health concerns. 
• Provide departmental training on behavioral health response strategies and best practices.
• Represent the program at community partner meetings and community events to provide education on Co-Responder services.
• Safely operate department motor vehicles during shift.   
• Coordinate with jails, hospitals, and other community partners to ensure continuity of care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Supervision Received: General supervision from the manager of the Co-Responder team will be available.

Clinical supervision and consultation will be available as needed and according to licensure requirements.   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to maintain positive, ethical, and professional working relationships with community, government agencies, and other professionals.
• Ability to accomplish administrative tasks autonomously, work closely with the team and supervisor, with frequent interruptions during periods of high activity and high stress under demanding conditions. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern principles, evidence-informed practices and procedures with respect to behavioral crisis situations in a law enforcement setting. 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a police department and alongside community-based professional staff. 
• Ability to address difficult issues in a constructive manner with team or community members.  
• Seeks out and engages in professional development to enhance skills and support career growth.
• Values diversity; demonstrates an awareness of differences; demonstrates sensitivity and adapts behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain timely accurate records and data collection.
• Ability to successfully pass a polygraph and psychological examination, reference checks, background investigation and drug test.

Technological Skills

• Ability to operate a department-issued personal computer.
• Familiarity with current computer software applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Computer Aided Dispatch/Records Management Systems and Health Care Management Systems. 

Education and Experience

A combination of job-related education and experience demonstrating the equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively perform the functions of this position may be considered, as determined by management.

• Education:
  • Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology or related field from an accredited university or college. 
  • Licensure as a mental health professional in the State of Colorado preferred; candidates working toward licensure will also be considered.
  • For opiate/substance use disorder (SUD) role:
    • Fully Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) preferred
    • Will also consider applicants actively working toward LAC licensure
  • If licensed, in good standing with Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)

• Experience:
  • Minimum 3 years working in a clinical, co-response or related crisis service position, such as but not limited to hospitals, crisis center, withdrawal management, etc.
  • Working and collaborating with law enforcement officials professionally.
  • Working with community behavioral health treatment systems and supportive services. 
  • Case management with strong skills in problem-solving and strength-based, trauma-informed work. 

• Preferred Experience:
  • Professional working knowledge of the criminal justice system. 
  • Knowledge and experience in helping individuals or families navigating serious persistent mental illness (SPMI). 
  • Multidisciplinary teams and coordination of care regarding individuals and their families. 
  • Familiarity with case management and documentation of case notes. 
  • Familiarity with local resources

Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Licensure in good standing with the State of Colorado as a psychologist. LAC preferred.  
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable motor vehicle record.

Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

 LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Physical Demands

• Co-Responders are required to wear LPD-supplied bullet-resistant vests and carry required equipment when in the field.   
• Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
• Sit, stand or be stationary
• Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
• Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
• Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
• Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color

Environmental Conditions may include

• Office settings

Physical Requirements – No Physical Needed

• Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs with or without assistance

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Work is performed both in an office environment and in the field. Co-responders will visit camps, hotels, parked cars, residences, and other sites to meet people where they are as well as in-person visits in an office environment. 

Work involves telephone contact, email contact, as well as in-person contact with those experiencing mental health crises of all ages.  

Work involves large caseloads and frequent contact with irate or upset clients.  

EQUIPMENT USED 

• Telephone  
• City Computer  
• Microsoft Windows and Word  
• Various computer software programs 
• Police report writing program 
• Photocopier  
• City Vehicle  
• Calculator  
• Police Radio  

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor. 

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.  

Pay Range

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.