Community Behavioral Health Liaison

Job Description Summary:  
The Community Behavioral Health Liaison (CBHL) is an experienced, qualified mental health professional responsible for the coordination of services for individuals with behavioral health needs who have come to the attention of law enforcement officials, the courts and/or detention personnel. The Community Behavioral Health Liaison is responsible for development and improvement of access to services for those individuals with complex behavioral health (addiction/substance use and mental health) issues in progress toward specific goals of an individualized treatment plan.  The Community Behavioral Health Liaison is part of a person-centered integration team and works with local systems to coordinate care, assisting individuals and families in making informed choices, assures timely access by the consumer to psychiatric, medical, vocational, social, and educational systems while demonstrating a warm and welcoming empathic, hopeful attitude, conveying a philosophy of dual recovery.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate services and develop local systems of care for individuals with behavioral health needs who have come to the attention of law enforcement officials, the courts and detention personnel.
• Participate in local law enforcement Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) or other initiatives that assist law enforcement in dealing with individuals with behavioral health needs.
• Collaborate with local partners in Mental Health Courts or other specialty or diversion courts dealing with behavioral health issues.
• Provide or coordinate training and consultation on behavioral health issues for court clerks as needed.
• In coordination with the ACI, assist law enforcement by working together in assessing individuals with behavioral health needs.
• In coordination with the ACI, assist those with behavioral health needs in accessing appropriate voluntary services upon referral by law enforcement, courts, and detention personnel.
• In coordination with the ACI assist law enforcement and the courts in locating inpatient psychiatric beds for court-ordered involuntary detentions and in filling petitions for involuntary detention with the probate court for those individuals who present a likelihood of serious harm due to a mental disorder.
• Act as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Will be cross trained for other positions within the Crisis Services department, for which they are qualified to perform based on their education and/or experience. 
• CBHL shall report to the Assistant Director of Crisis Services for program specific supervision and be under the administration of the Director of Crisis Services.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal office environment. 
• Typical demands include prolonged sitting, frequent standing, bending, stooping, and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. 
• Requires normal range of hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator, and other office equipment as needed. 
• Requires ability to work under stressful conditions and to work irregular hours and deal with irate individuals.
• TB test upon hire.

Qualifications:
The Community Behavioral Health Liaison (Level I) must be either a Qualified Mental Health Professional, Qualified Addiction Professional (QAP), or Licensed Mental Health Professional as defined by the Department of Mental Health. Must be knowledgeable about the local system of care including but not limited to the operation of the community providers, the Access Crisis Intervention (ACI) system, inpatient psychiatric resources and civil commitment procedures, and state guardianship statute, rules, and laws.  The Community Behavioral Health Liaison should also be knowledgeable or become knowledgeable about co-occurring developmental disabilities and mental health disorders.  Shall Meet all local, state, and/or federal requirements for their position. The Community Behavioral Health Liaison will demonstrate the following core skills and competencies within their role:

• Maintain professionalism.
• Provide quality consumer services.
• Provides services with commitment to and exhibits service and personal excellence.
• Team oriented and values diversity.
• The ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships.
• Creative, flexible, and strategic thinking skills that lead to good decision making and problem-solving.
• Empower others and utilize conflict resolution.
• Organized with good time management skills.
• Proficient in public speaking and experienced in delivering professional training.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• A clinical internship of a full year of internship is preferred.

Education:

• A graduate of an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in social work, special education, psychology, counseling or related behavioral health field. A clinical internship of at least four (4) months duration is required, while a full year of internship is preferred.

Work Experiences: 

• The individual must have at least one (1) year experience in assessment and crisis intervention interviewing/assessment skills. 

Ozark Center Perks and Programs
For eligible full-time and part-time employees Ozark Center offers a wide variety of career opportunities, a great work culture and comprehensive benefits, most starting day one! Ozark Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE M/F/H/V)

• Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance.
• Optional Pet Insurance, Flex Medical/Benefit Spending Accounts, and More!
• Wellness Balance Program, earn $15 back on every paycheck!
• Retirement with Employer Matching.
• Employer Life Insurance. 
• Longevity Payments.
• Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, and FMLA.
• 7 Recognized Holidays.
• School Tuition Reimbursement.
• Travel Reimbursement. 
• Occasional use of a Company Vehicle.