Treatment Response Clinician

General Overview

The Treatment Response Team Clinician, known as (TRTC) will be virtual co-responders with law enforcement, helping individuals navigate mental health, substance abuse and other treatment services. The TRTC will work with in a team of licensed mental health professionals that are embedded in the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department.  Working with individuals seeking behavioral health treatment, the specialist will assess needs, locate treatment options appropriate for the individual and help facilitate rapid placement in treatment. The specialist will provide crisis intervention, counseling, safety plans and case management. The specialist will ensure that clients are provided individualized crisis stabilization services and ongoing support throughout the client’s recovery. The TRTC will provide Co-Responder Virtual Assistance and intervention between police and individuals in mental distress.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Serves as a mental health resource to Cook County Sheriff’s Police and partnering police departments.

Communicate with individuals seeking mental health support and services in an appropriate manner to facilitate treatment.

Appropriately assess individual needs regarding behavioral health treatment, medication maintenance, and other services.

Provide crisis intervention and safety plans to individuals and families in distress.

Navigate insurance options and enrollment, when necessary.

Coordinate with community-based care centers (hospitals, detox facilities, residential treatment facilities) to establish agreements for transfer of care.

Create and update care plans to include treatment, medication maintenance and compliance, housing, educational services, vocational training, and other services to address identified needs.

Monitor the status of participant progress on care plans and coordinate, where appropriate, with treatment providers and the individual’s support network.

Write thorough reports for each participant’s care plan and progress.       

Track project metrics and maintain centralized system for documenting program accountability.

Provide consistent feedback to supervisor on ways of continually improving and streamlining program processes, operations, and outcomes.

Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of treatment professionals and law enforcement professionals to address the needs of individuals seeking treatment and constantly improve the program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough experience of behavioral health, DSM-5, and an expansive knowledge of Cook County community resources and networks available to individuals with mental illness.

Experience in providing crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques with people who are a risk to self and/or others.

An understanding of addiction and evidenced-based treatment for opioid addiction recovery. Experience navigating medical insurance systems.

Ability to establish and maintain appropriate rapport and boundaries with participants, work with integrity, and treat others with respect.

Ability to communicate effectively with tact and courtesy with a diverse population.

Requires highly detailed, efficient, and accurate documentation and record keeping. Requires strong writing skills, including the ability to translate reports, attendance sheets and progress notes into succinct, clear sentences.

A strong sense of compassion and patience, and an interest in serving an underserved population.

Ability to meet prescribed deadlines, collaborate as part of a team, and respond well to supervisor direction and follow up.

Thorough working knowledge of or ability to grasp and utilize policies, protocols, systems and procedures of the agency, department, and County, as they are applicable to assigned duties and responsibilities quickly and effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field.

Possession, or eligible, of an active state licensure in social work or counseling (Licensed Clinical Social Worker and/or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor).

Two (2) or more years of post-graduate professional work experience in a behavioral health setting, or comparable field working directly with mental health and or substance abuse disorders.

One (1) or more years of crisis intervention experience with the mental health population and treatment providers.

Intermediate proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.

Possession of a valid driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance and the ability to operate a motor vehicle while providing own means of transportation.

Must be able to travel to and from all locations throughout Cook County where Sherriff’s Office services are needed.

Required to be capable to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights; must be capable of working holidays and weekends; must be able to work unplanned assignments when needed, as required. Participate in on-call remote response assistance one (1) week per month.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of bilingual language skills (English/Spanish).

Two (2) or more years of working with the chronically mentally ill population.

Experience working with various law enforcement agencies and or justice involved individuals.

One (1) or more years of experience with crisis hotline and suicide assessments.

Previously completed an internship with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.