EOE Statement

At HOPE, our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the community we serve. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

SUMMARY

This position is part of the Access team and is responsible for conducting intake assessments and providing clinical services to individuals initiating care at HOPE. In addition to general intake duties, this role has a specialized focus on clients identified as suicidal or at elevated risk. The therapist engages these individuals through immediate therapeutic support, suicide risk assessments, safety planning, and connection to appropriate services. This position plays a critical role in ensuring high-risk clients receive timely, compassionate, and trauma-informed care from their first point of contact.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Adheres to agency policy and procedures, CARF and DMHSAS standards and criteria, federal and state confidentiality rules and regulations, and any special funding source requirements.

Supports and promotes a service environment for individuals in need of behavioral health and/or co-occurring services that is recovery focused, welcoming, and attentive to the needs of individuals who may have experienced trauma in their lives. Attends annual core competencies training in relationship to individuals with co-occurring disorders or who have experienced trauma in their lives.

Welcomes new clients into care with warmth and respect, using trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.

Conducts comprehensive, person-centered intake assessments that explore each client’s lived experiences, risk factors, support systems, and needs.

Provides timely therapeutic engagement for individuals experiencing suicidal ideation or behaviors, including evidence-informed suicide risk assessments and collaborative safety planning.

Offers brief, solution-focused therapeutic support during intake to help stabilize distress and reinforce protective factors.

Prioritizes same-day response for clients referred through the suicide pathway and collaborates with the Access team to coordinate timely follow-up.

Facilitates warm hand-offs to appropriate services within HOPE, including URC, outpatient therapy, psychiatry, peer support, and case management.

Supports continuity of care by coordinating with outside providers, hospitals, or crisis services when needed to ensure safe transitions and discharge planning.

Involves natural supports (family, caregivers, friends) in safety planning and engagement, when appropriate and with consent.

Maintains accurate, strengths-based documentation of all services provided, including clinical notes, risk assessments, and safety plans.

Participates in clinical supervision, team meetings, and case consultation, especially for high-risk clients.

Stays current on best practices in suicide prevention and attends relevant trainings as assigned.

Demonstrates strong understanding of trauma, resilience, and the social determinants that impact behavioral health.

Monitors eligibility status of clients for Social Security, Title XIX, QMB, Medicare and other benefits for which the client may qualify.

Provides individual therapy, clinical assessments, evaluations, crisis intervention, referrals and intakes for prospective clients. Provides trauma informed services.

Interacts with other professionals to discuss therapy or treatment, new resources or techniques, and to share information.

May be required to provide services in a community setting.

May be required to provide client transportation by using personal vehicle or agency owned vehicle.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prior experience supporting individuals in crisis or at elevated risk; specific experience in suicide prevention strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care and suicide-specific interventions.
• Skilled in clinical judgment, emotional regulation, and de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in a behavioral health field; licensed or under supervision for licensure (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LADC/MH).

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR Certifications

Required to complete Therapeutic Options training or approved safety training and annual updates.

Will obtain ASI and ASAM training and other substance abuse training as directed by the Director.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, Standards and criteria, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of consumers or employees of organization.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to engage clients in distress with empathy, calm presence, and non-judgmental communication
• Skilled in conducting suicide risk assessments and developing collaborative, strengths-based safety plans
• Demonstrates sound clinical judgment and decision-making, especially in high-acuity situations
• Strong understanding of trauma and its impact on emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning
• Ability to navigate sensitive conversations with respect for client autonomy, dignity, and cultural identity
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with flexibility to respond to same-day referrals and shifting priorities
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on clear, respectful, and strengths-based documentation
• Commitment to collaborative care and ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Familiarity with community resources, crisis protocols, and systems of care that support suicide prevention
• Proficiency in using electronic health records and willingness to learn agency-specific documentation systems
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries while building trust and rapport with clients and families
• Dependable attendance and reliability in maintaining scheduled appointments and follow-up contacts

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Employee must have vision enough to read written or typed data. Employee must have hearing and speech enough to communicate effectively with staff, clients, and public in person or by phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.