Mobile Crisis Therapist-Follow-Up Specialist I

The clinician provides intensive, post-crisis behavioral health services to individuals with high-acuity needs, including suicide risk, serious mental illness, substance use, and overdose risk. The position will conduct timely follow-up, risk assessments, safety planning, care coordination, and warm handoffs to community supports while engaging natural supports as appropriate.

Essential Functions

• Manage high-acuity post-crisis caseloads, including active suicidal ideation, co-occurring SMI, SUD crisis/overdose risk, and complex behavioral health needs.
• Initiate follow-up within 24 hours of 988 contact, ED/inpatient discharge, MCT response, PSAP diversion, or referrals from other community stakeholders; obtain/document consent; provide structured follow-up for 90 days to 12 months.
• Respond to behavioral health crises in the community as a member of the Mobile Crisis Team, providing timely, person-centered interventions in homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and other community settings.
• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and risk evaluations, including suicide, homicide, self-harm, and safety risk assessments, to determine clinical acuity and immediate needs.
• Utilize evidence-based crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to stabilize individuals experiencing acute psychiatric or emotional distress.
• Provide brief, solution-focused therapeutic interventions aimed at crisis stabilization, emotional regulation, and restoration of functioning.
• Develop, implement, and document individualized crisis safety plans in collaboration with individuals, families, and support systems, ensuring plans are practical, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed.
• Determine appropriate levels of care and make clinical recommendations, including diversion from emergency departments or inpatient hospitalization when clinically appropriate.
• Coordinate referrals and linkages (with warm-handoff as appropriate) to inpatient, outpatient, and community-based services, ensuring continuity of care and follow-up planning.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including physicians, nurses, case managers, peer support specialists, law enforcement, emergency medical services, hospitals, schools, and other community partners to support coordinated crisis response.
• Provide consultation, education, and support to families, caregivers, and community stakeholders regarding crisis response, safety planning, and available resources.
• Accurately and timely complete all required clinical documentation in the EHR or other approved system, assessments, data, and reports in accordance with RiverValley Behavioral Health policies, state regulations, and accreditation standards.
• Participate in on-call coverage, shift rotations, team meetings, clinical supervision, and trainings as required to maintain program effectiveness and clinical competency.
• Adhere to all ethical standards, professional guidelines, confidentiality requirements, and organizational policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned, as necessary to support program operations, service delivery, and organizational needs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field
• Active, unrestricted clinical licensure in the state of practice (e.g., LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or equivalent)
• Experience in crisis intervention, emergency services, or community-based behavioral health preferred
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the service area
• Minimum of two years’ clinical experience preferred, however candidates with less experience who can meet the state requirements to provide clinical services within their field will be considered.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent clinical skills in assessment, intervention, and crisis planning.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong clinical judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team