Mental Health Co-Responder - Behavioral Health Counselor III
Posting Number: req21966
Department: Campus Health and Wellness
Location: Main Campus
Address: Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
This position is responsible for responding to mental health crises on the University of Arizona campus and the surrounding community. The Co-Responder is a specialized clinical position that serves as the mental health consultant and liaison for the University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD) both internally and with campus and community partners. The Co-Responder clinician will be paired with UAPD officers to provide mobile crisis response for behavioral health crises and mental health welfare checks. The Co-Responder will provide culturally responsive crisis assessments, disposition planning, and follow-up care coordination. Additionally, this position will provide direct crisis services (Counselor of the Day coverage and/or Care Coordination support) within Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) during portions of their shift. The specifics around the operations of the Crisis Network are continuing to evolve. This is a new position for the university and will require flexibility and eagerness in developing and sustaining this new program.
CAPS is committed to promoting social justice to supporting 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 we are committed to making CAPS a safe, affirming, and welcoming space for staff and for all University of Arizona 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 ten 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.
Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Member of the Campus Crisis Network Team and will cross train with the Crisis Network DOS Liaison.
- Clinician of the Day responsibilities.
- 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 and Skills Required
- 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 open competence and commitment to social justice advocacy, access and openness.
- 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 work as needed, including nights, weekends, or holidays.
- 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.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master's degree in an applied mental health field (e.g., Social Work or Counseling) from an accredited institution.
- Currently
licensed in the State of Arizona as a Licensed Counselor (LAC/LPC),
Social Worker (LMSW/LCSW), or licensed psychologist. - Minimum
of 5 years of related work experience, including 2 years of crisis
intervention experience, or equivalent combination of education and work
experience - Must have an AZ valid driving license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.
- 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 practices.
Preferred Qualifications
- Independent Licensure in the State of Arizona, LPC or LCSW.
- 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 diverse populations.
- Bilingual (Spanish).
- Experience providing training both individually and in large group settings.
- Experience with electronic medical record-keeping and documentation.
- Experience working with SMI and unhoused populations.
FLSA: Exempt
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40
Job FTE: 1.00
Work Calendar: Fiscal
Job Category: Health Care and Wellness
Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay: $59,404 - $74,254
Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Grade
8
Compensation Guidance
The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range Minimum, Midpoint, and Maximum Fields listed below represent a full range of career compensation growth over time in this position and grade. Each unit typically sets starting pay between minimum and midpoint upon hire. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.
Grade Range Minimum
$59404
Grade Range Midpoint
$74254
Grade Range Maximum
$89105
Career Stream and Level
PC3
Job Family
Behavioral Health
Job Function
Health Care & Wellness
Type of criminal background check required: Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to title or department)
Number of Vacancies: 1
Contact Information for Candidates
Annette Corrales,
annettec@arizona.edu
Open Until Filled: Yes
Documents Needed to Apply: Resume and Cover Letter
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.