
Access Clinician (Housing) (75991)
Advantage Behavioral Health Systems
Summary
This Access Clinician position provides clinical and diagnostic assessments, conducts psychotherapy, makes determinations of risk status or need for hospitalization, and completes other clinical activities as needed with individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Referral sources primarily include individuals identified by the Advantage Homeless Day Service Center, Advantage supportive housing programs, and external low-income housing providers (such as Athens Housing Authority). Clinical services are provided at the Advantage Homeless Day Service Center and in a community-based office space provided by Athens Housing Authority.
Job description
Position Summary
This Access Clinician position provides clinical and diagnostic assessments, conducts psychotherapy, makes determinations of risk status or need for hospitalization, and completes other clinical activities as needed with individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Referral sources primarily include individuals identified by the Advantage Homeless Day Service Center, Advantage supportive housing programs, and external low-income housing providers (such as Athens Housing Authority). Clinical services are provided at the Advantage Homeless Day Service Center and in a community-based office space provided by Athens Housing Authority.
Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards
The Clinician will serve as the primary point of contact for the entry of new clients into Advantage outpatient services with an emphasis of Residential and Homeless Support Services programs and Athens Housing Authority tenants. The Clinician will provide outpatient services including intake interviews, diagnostic verification, psychosocial assessments, crisis assessments, safety planning, treatment plans, and referrals for ongoing services. On an as needed basis, they will provide counseling/psychotherapy to clients with barriers accessing a traditional clinic environment. The Clinician will also be responsible for updating psychosocial assessments and treatment plans for existing clients with a minimal frequency of at least once per year.
- Performs clinical assessments of the behavioral health needs of consumers presenting for services
- Create, complete, and/or update treatment plans according to significant changes in preference, desires, goals, and abilities of the client
- Determine eligibility for a higher level of care (such as hospitalization)
- Provide on-going monitoring of clients identified as High Risk until they can be transitioned to another provider for follow up services
- Utilize the EHR to complete documentation of assessments, outreach attempts, diagnoses, etc.
- Ensure all initial and concurrent authorizations are completed by accurately filling out the required OTR and Connects forms in a timely manner
- Determine appropriate referrals to other programs/services offered internally and externally
- Maintain communication with client or client's parents/guardians to discuss missed follow up behavioral health appointments in the clinic
- Complete discharge paperwork and safety plans for clients released from MH services
- Meet standard productivity goal identified for the Access Clinician position
- Assist clients in obtaining information about essential resources when applicable
- Attend required supervision and departmental staff meetings
- On an as needed basis counsels' clients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life
- Provide community-based services in office space provided by Athens Housing Authority
- Conduct community-based crisis assessments at Homeless Day Service Center and Athens Housing Authority on an as-needed basis
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Candidate must have at least a Master's degree from an accredited educational institution in Psychology, Social Work, or Community Counseling AND an active LPC, LCSW, or PsyD status in the state of Georgia.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of common traumas and experiences associated with homelessness/housing insecurity and best practices for building rapport and intervening with individuals currently experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity
- 2 years of related experience and/or training of mental health, working with clients and families, case management, or community-in-home based services; experience with administering Individual Service Plan (ISPs) / treatment plans; and familiarity with clinical terminology.
- Knowledge of diagnostic impressions or criteria
- Knowledge of how client advocacy system operates
- Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
- Knowledge of individual and group therapy techniques
- Knowledge of various therapeutic models/interventions as directly related to area of assignment
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid driver's license required, active LPC, LCSW, or PsyD status in the state of Georgia.
Requirements
- Master's degree in Psychology, Social Work, or Community Counseling
- Active LPC, LCSW, or PsyD license in Georgia
- Valid driver's license
- 2 years of related experience preferred
- Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
- Knowledge of individual and group therapy techniques
- Knowledge of diagnostic impressions or criteria
- Knowledge of client advocacy system
- Knowledge of therapeutic models/interventions
Company overview
Advantage Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS) is a publicly-funded Community Service Board (CSB) and safety-net provider serving ten counties in Northeast Georgia, including Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton counties. Established in 1972 as the Northeast Georgia Center, the organization operates as one of 22 CSBs in Georgia, providing comprehensive behavioral health, developmental disability, and addictive disease services to uninsured and underinsured individuals. ABHS offers a wide range of evidence-based services including community outreach, prevention and education programs, child and adolescent behavioral health services, adult outpatient care, crisis intervention, inpatient detox services, outpatient alcohol and drug counseling, women's services, and developmental disability support. The organization operates 19 clinics across its service region and maintains a 24/7 behavioral health crisis center in Athens. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), ABHS is transitioning to a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model to enhance coordinated comprehensive care. With a mission focused on person-centered treatment and recovery support, the organization serves as a critical community resource for mental health and substance abuse services in Northeast Georgia.