D166 - Mental Health Court - Associate Licensed Clinician

About River Edge Behavioral Health
 

Serving more than 10,000 Georgians, River Edge continues to be one of the state's leading resources for mental health, substance use disorder treatments and supports as well as individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. River Edge offers outpatient services at our Emery Highway-Macon, Monroe County and Baldwin County locations. Outpatient services include behavioral health, nursing, and psychiatric assessment, stabilization and medication maintenance services as well as crisis intervention services as well as awareness, education and recovery groups. 

River Edge Behavioral Health operates at several locations in Fulton County. The Fulton County Misdemeanor Mental Health Court (MMC) serves the judiciary, the community and a mental health client base to increase public safety, reduce recidivism, and expand remedial mental health services. The mission is to divert and support eligible misdemeanor citizen-defendants with behavioral health concerns who are arrested by facilitating participation in effective mental health and substance abuse treatment. Improving the quality of life for people with mental illness charged with crimes makes more effective use of the community's limited criminal justice and mental health resources and offers the participants a new way of life. Participants are treated with respect and dignity thus empowering each to make positive changes for their future.

The MMC is an interdisciplinary team approach. The team consists of judges from Magistrate Court and State Court, a program coordinator, prosecuting attorneys, public defenders, treatment providers, law enforcement officials, pretrial release officers, and litigation managers from the Fulton Courts. The team partners with the program participants throughout the process to ensure individual needs are met while restoring accountability.

River Edge seeks a qualified individual to join as the Associate Licensed Clinician for the Misdemeanor Mental Health Court, responsible for providing comprehensive support to MMC participants, including assessment, treatment planning, coordination with jail and behavioral health staff, group and individual therapy provision, crisis management, and community service connection.

 Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:30AM-5PM or 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

FLSA Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt

Benefits Offered:

• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 12 Paid Holidays
• 401k with an employer match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short and Long-term disability coverage
• Life Insurance
• Employee Discount Program

Duties and Responsibilities

• Interview potential MMC participants as needed; meet while the client is incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail (or any jail within Fulton County including but not limited to Union City Jail, Atlanta City Detention Center) or after the participant has been released.
• Complete bio-psychosocial assessments; LS/CMI Risk Needs Assessments and ASAM Treatment Needs Assessment and discharge plan.
• Develop client treatment plans and review treatment plan updates (assistance with Case Managers).
• Work with jail health/behavioral health staff on referrals, coordinate discharges, and discharge plans. Contact NaphCare for potential MMC participants’ mental health treatment updates before the participant are released.
• Provide case manager coordination of treatment planning and services.
• Provide individual, group (MRT Group Assistant, Thinking for a Change, Living in Balance, TBD), and family therapy to participants and their families concerning mental health needs and/or substance abuse disorders as needed.
• Attend weekly MMC team meetings, trainings, court, and hearings as required.
• Provide crisis management to MMC participants as needed.
• Connect participants to outside community services i.e. individual and family therapy sessions, psychiatrist appointments, parenting classes, anger management classes etc.

• Update Casework client notes daily and review CM case notes submitted into Casework.
• Provide referral resources to outside providers (based on assessments make referrals to the most appropriate programs and agencies), maintain working knowledge of treatment agencies and program list of resources that can be shared with clients.
• Provide clinical consultation to referral resources, mentors, family members, and others that help support the participant while in recovery and the MMC Program.
• Attend MMC compliance court on Fridays for court staffing meetings and MMC Participant Calendar; Attend MMC Sanction Hearing as required.
• Attend recommended River Edge or Fulton County Court MH Trainings as required or (as needed) and monitor staff trainings for compliance.
• Meet regularly with the immediate supervisor as a means of enhancing professional growth, reviewing, and processing the provision of case management services, and dealing with appropriate administrative issues.

• Maintain professional licensure as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor consistent with the position and in compliance with agency policies and procedures.
• Maintain sufficient communication and correspondence via telephone, email and text with agency personnel, stakeholders, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social service field (Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Human Services) or related field
• Must have Associate License or Fully Licensed in either - LAPC, LMSW, LAMFT, LMFT, LPC, LCSW)
• At least one (1) year of postmaster's experience providing mental health and substance abuse treatment.
• Demonstrate knowledge and expertise with the chronically mentally ill population.
• All applicants must pass an intensive background check and pre-employment drug test.
• Demonstrate expertise and knowledge in mental health and substance abuse services and community resources.
• Exemplify excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Competencies

Empathy: Demonstrating empathy when counseling clients individually or in groups, helping them navigate their substance use/dependencies, and supporting their recovery journey.

Communication: Effective communication skills are crucial for counseling sessions, progress monitoring, and maintaining communication with colleagues, stakeholders, and community partners.

Counseling: Proficiency in counseling techniques for both individual and group sessions aimed at helping clients overcome substance use/dependencies, build resilience, and adjust to life changes.

Assessment and Treatment Planning: Ability to conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments, develop treatment plans, and determine appropriate interventions based on individual client needs and behaviors.

Documentation: Skill in preparing and maintaining accurate treatment records and reports, including timely completion of electronic documentation within 24 hours of service delivery, ensuring compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements.

Additional Information:

The Application Process

• All qualified applicants will be considered.
• This position is subject to close once a suitable candidate pool has been identified.
• The hiring managers will contact only those selected for an interview.
• Applicants who are not selected will receive notification via email.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we cannot provide information on application status by phone or email.

Safe Working Environment

We at River Edge believe every employee has a right to a safe work environment. Therefore, we recommend full vaccination of all employees. Getting the vaccine, frequently washing your hands, sanitizing common areas, and wearing your mask are the most effective ways to fight.

Diversity and Inclusion

River Edge Behavioral Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationality, genetic makeup, disability, age, or veteran status.

Drug-Free Workplace

River Edge Behavioral Health is a drug-free workplace with a longstanding commitment to providing a safe, quality-oriented, and productive work environment. In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998, all applicants must pass a satisfactory background clearance and pre-employment drug screen.

At-Will Workplace

Employment with River Edge Behavioral Health is at will. At-will means your employment relationship with River Edge Behavioral Health or Affordable Business Solution is for an indefinite period and is subject to termination by you or River Edge Behavioral Health, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

EEOC Statement

River Edge Behavioral Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer: River Edge Behavioral Heath recruits qualified candidates for positions in its service area. It is the policy of River Edge Behavioral Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. It prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal,

If you are looking for an opportunity to make life better and a strong desire for personal growth we encourage you to apply. We promptly review all applications. Highly qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.

We are an equal opportunity employer and highly value diversity.  We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

All selected applicants must pass a satisfactory background clearance and pre-employment drug test.