Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist

POSITION SUMMARY

The City of Fort Lauderdale employees possess a passion for public service demonstrated by a high degree of enthusiasm, self-reliance, and job proficiency. They effectively convey the vision and mission of the organization and provide excellent service and satisfaction to our internal and external customers.

FLPD's CO-RESPONDER program supports a law enforcement-behavioral health cross system collaboration to improve public health and public safety by improving responses to and outcomes for individuals with mental health disorders (MHDs) or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUDs). Successful approaches to connect people to behavioral health care in lieu of emergency departments and jails require collaboration between law enforcement and a licensed behavioral health therapist trained in FLPD’s CO- Responder model whom can easily accept individuals in crisis and provide care in the safest and least restrictive setting possible.

FLPD's licensed behavioral health therapist will provide a number of clinical, case management, statistical, and administrative services as follows: conduct assessments, identify appropriate community resources, and manage referrals for at-risk individuals in the community, to include minors and adults. FLPD's licensed behavioral health therapist will evaluate individuals to determine the most appropriate and least restrictive level of care of clinical need; coordinate clinical interventions, and implement immediate crisis management treatment and case management plans. FLPD's licensed behavioral health therapist will initiate and maintain contact with referred individuals and their families to assess underlying issues. FLPD's licensed behavioral health therapist will provide clinical support, case management, and direction with assessment and referrals; identify challenges to healthy functioning and recommend mental health and social service interventions for the referred individual and family as appropriate.

FLPD's licensed behavioral health therapist will also establish and maintain effective case management relationships with mental health providers, community leaders, professional associations, representatives of public and private agencies, community groups, hospitals, law enforcement agencies. Also, inform referred at-risk individuals, family members and all relevant parties of legal requirements and expectations concerning treatment and coordinate with various local, county, medical/hospital, law enforcement, and community agencies concerning the status of cases. FLPD' s licensed behavioral therapist will also develop and maintain data via tracking and quantifying each: clinical, case management, treatment oriented and administrative function(s) commensurate with FLPD's Co-Responder program and present to FLPD supervisors, team members, and collaborative professionals as needed. (The essential job functions listed here are not exhaustive).

Overall, FLPD's CO-Responder program can assist our community and specifically our chronic, mental health consumer from the tandem of our highly specialized law enforcement officer and licensed behavioral health therapist in providing the care our community, mental health consumer needs, in the safest and least restrictive setting possible. Beginning with the moment a request for help is made and ending with the successful transition to an appropriate level of care, it is important to seek better ways to respond to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. FLPD's CO-Responder program can help our community by improving public safety (overall), making access to appropriate mental health services more accessible, and reducing the burden on the criminal justice and local emergency system(s).

Under professional direction, the purpose of this position is to provide assessment, triage and crisis intervention for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in the community, to include minors and adults. The clinician will coordinate for the individual in crisis to the appropriate community resource, etc. Position refers individuals to the appropriate community resources for: mental health, drug treatment and homeless outreach to prevent possible injury or harm to the individual and/or others . The incumbent will be required to work closely with law enforcement personnel to evaluate individuals undergoing behavioral health crisis in the community, coordinate clinical interventions and implement immediate crisis management action plans as well as to establish and maintain effective working relationships with mental health providers, community leaders, hospitals, professional associations, representatives of public and private agencies, community groups and resources, assisted living facilities (ALF’s), residential facilities, group care and housing, law enforcement agencies and district school administrators. Employees in this classification will function on call for response to mental health calls and emergencies or critical incidents. Performs related work as directed.

The City offers a wide variety of benefits to employees. In addition to the competitive benefits package and salary, the City participates in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) which offers an investment option and a pension option, and requires a 3% contribution from employees. New hires are automatically enrolled in FRS.

Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan!
That's right! Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( PSLF ) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale! Please visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/PublicServiceLoanForgiveness for more information or to see if you qualify.
This job classification is in Management Category III for benefit purposes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

• Depending upon area of assignment, will conduct assessments, identify appropriate community resources, and manage referrals for at-risk individuals in the community, to include minors and adults.
  
• Depending upon area of assignment, will evaluate individuals to determine the most appropriate and less restrictive level of care of clinical need; coordinates clinical interventions, and implement immediate crisis management treatment and case management plans.
  
• Initiates and maintains contact with referred individuals and their families to assess underlying issues.
  
• Provides clinical support, case management, and direction with assessment and referrals; identifies challenges to healthy functioning and recommends mental health and social service interventions for the referred individual and family.
  
• Establishes and maintains effective case management relationships with mental health providers, community leaders, professional associations, representatives of public and private agencies, community groups, hospitals, law enforcement agencies.
  
• Informs referred at-risk individuals, family members and all relevant parties of legal requirements and expectations concerning treatment; coordinates with various local, county, medical/hospital, law enforcement, and community agencies concerning the status of cases.
  
• Provides clinical support, education, and guidance to the referred individual and their family.
  
• Will have an active role collaborating with professional staff regarding clientele who contribute to high volume calls for patrol and require: long-term hospitalization, behavioral health program initiation, and discharge planning and case management services within the following domains: medical/hospitals, shelters, jails, prisons, psychiatric facilities, substance abuse (SA) facilities/programs, immigration, etc.
  
• Will develop and maintain data via tracking and quantifying each: clinical, case management, treatment oriented and administrative function(s) commensurate with the co-responder program and present to FLPD supervisors, team members, and collaborative professionals as needed.
  
• Will conduct follow-up visits and wellness checks at home, hospitals, healthcare facilities and other locations after the individual has voluntarily consented for the purpose of assessing the need for further mental health and/or substance abuse social service referrals; will maintain communications with the referred individual, family members and all other relevant parties.
  
• Evaluates referred individual's level of functioning and status of engagement with services and their degree of effectiveness.
  
• Depending upon area of assignment, will complete detailed clinical documentation of all contacts related to the referred individual's case.
  
• Maintains files, records, and case documentation in compliance with established regulatory standards, Florida State Statutes, State Administrative Code i.e. HIPPA.
  
• Attends professional conferences to update and maintain knowledge for professional continuing education (CEU's) for licensure requirements.
  
• Work location and shift may vary depending upon area of assignment.
  
• Functions on call for response to emergencies, crisis intervention, and critical incidents as directed.
  
• Operates an agency vehicle.
  

JOB REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

Licensed in one of the following:
FL licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)FL licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)FL licensed in marriage and family therapy (LMFT)
Professional licensures must be maintained throughout employment.

Preferences:

• State Certified Addictions Professional Certification (CAP)
• Certified Justice Addictions Professional Certification (CCJAP)
• Professional liability coverage
• Qualified Supervisor
• Possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license throughout employment without any restrictions which affect job performance.
  

As public servants, employees may be required to work immediately before, during, and/or after an emergency. All employees must be available and able to work assigned shifts as determined by their Department Heads.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Work Environment Frequency Working in Designated Environment Office or similar indoor environment Frequently or Often Outdoor environment Frequently or Often Street environment (near moving traffic) Frequently or Often Construction site Seldom or Never Confined Space Seldom or Never In the community (homes, businesses, etc.) Frequently or Often Correctional facility, detention center or jail Frequently or Often Clinical healthcare environment Frequently or Often Warehouse environment Seldom or Never Shop environment Seldom or Never
PHYSICAL STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HOW TO APPLY/ VETERAN INFORMATION

Depending on the number of applicants and the quality of their education and experience, the examination may consist of one or more of the following tests: Evaluation of Training and Experience, Oral Interview, Written Examination, or other assessment method.

Sensitive Safety Position: All successful applicants may be required to pass a medical examination, including drug screening, prior to appointment.

An eligible veteran who enters an open-competitive examination shall receive preference points added to the total passing score earned in the examination as provided for in the Florida Statutes. To obtain veteran's preference, candidates MUST submit a copy of separation papers and the City of Fort Lauderdale's veteran's preference claim form ( J-204 ) at time of application.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER . All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including identity or expression), marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other protected classification as defined by applicable law (except as limited by Personnel Rules, Collective Bargaining Agreements, or bona fide occupational qualifications)

The City of Fort Lauderdale offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular full-time employees including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance.

Click here for an overview of employment informationincluding our benefits package and click here for additional managementbenefits.

Closing Date/Time: 11/2/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

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• City of Fort Lauderdale

• (954) 828-5300

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