Mental Health Clinician

MIDDLE RIVER REGIONAL JAIL

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Mental Health Clinician FLSA: NE S/NS: NS

REPORTS TO: Mental Health Manager GRADE: 12

PURPOSE:
The Mental Health Clinician provides and assists in the coordination of mental health services for inmates at Middle River Regional Jail (MRRJ). The incumbent is responsible for providing comprehensive mental health and substance abuse assessments to determine proper course of treatment/security protocols. The incumbent assists in the identification, evaluation, and treatment of inmates with various levels of mental health problems. The incumbent will provide professional mental health and substance abuse services to the inmates of MRRJ. Along with the Mental Health Manager, the incumbent provides clinical consultation, staff training, and consults senior correctional management regarding serious mental health issues and policies.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

I. Administrative and Supervision:

1. Coordinates and provides mental health services to inmates, including group therapy and individual crisis sessions, treatment planning, and other educational services.
2. Provides crisis stabilization services and consultation.
3. Develops and implements mental health programs at MRRJ.
4. Conducts mental health and substance abuse evaluations and determines proper course of services.
5. Develops and trains staff in mental health crisis intervention techniques.
6. Manages external reporting and compliance for all mental health standards applicable to MRRJ.
7. Responds to observations and requests from correctional staff for assistance with the mental health needs of inmates.
8. Seeks supervision appropriately for clinical and administrative matters.
9. MRRJ liaison with other mental health and physical health providers.
10. Performs additional duties or assignments by the Superintendent and/or Supervisor.

II. Security and Safety:

1. Maintain a clean and safe working environment.
2. Must be efficient, dedicated, a good listener and problem solver.
3. Basic Life Support (BLS) certified in CPR and AED operations.
4. Provide emergency mental health assistance in situations such as reacting to a hostile inmate, an inmate having a seizure, or to any life-threatening situation that may occur.
5. Can determine when the rescue squad is needed for higher mental or physical health assistance. 6. Work within a high-risk and complex patient population.
7. Knowledge of Bloodborne Pathogens, other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) and communicable diseases.
8. Maintain a telephone/cell phone number for emergency contact purposes.
9. Ensure a safe work environment by supporting the Middle River Regional Jail safety training program, documenting all accidents and correcting all suspected safety hazards.

TRAINING, EDUCATION AND/OR WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Master’s Degree or close to obtaining Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or other human service-related field
2. License eligible in Commonwealth of Virginia as either an LPC or LCSW.
3. Knowledge of mental health disorders, diagnostic nomenclature, and intervention approaches appropriate for a correctional environment.
4. Thorough knowledge of behavioral health program development and implementation for services
5. Working knowledge of professional standards, laws, rules, regulations; exceptional interpersonal skills to obtain and clarify complex information.
6. Knowledge in crisis and counseling interventions, case-management, co-occurring disorders, treatment and discharge planning.

BASIC SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Knowledge of MRRJ policy and procedures
2. Knowledge of MRRJ inmate rules and regulations and ability to enforce them fairly and consistently
3. Knowledge of MRRJ chain of command
4. Ability to follow verbal and written orders
5. Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local laws
6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
7. Effective time management skills, critical thinking skills, and application of appropriate triage process.
8. Ability to effectively communicate with inmates, staff, and public
9. Knowledge of computers
10. Ability to complete the required documentation within the required timeframe.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:
Computer/printer, telecopier, calculator, security equipment, medical equipment, EMARS, and fire equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work involves some degree of risk to personal safety in an inherently stressful environment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possess and maintain a valid Virginia Driver’s License. Successful completion of a criminal records check.
Must maintain telephone/cell phone number for emergency contact. Must be a citizen of the United

States. Must not have been convicted of, or pleaded guilty or no contest to, a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in Virginia.

MANAGEMENT:
All employees of the Middle River Regional Jail are responsible for following direction provided by, or instructions given by, the Regional Jail Authority, the Superintendent, and the Assistant Superintendent.
Direction may be provided directly or indirectly passed through the Chain of Command.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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.
Noise level is usually moderate. Work involves the potential for contact with or exposure to blood or other body fluids and infectious materials. Work requires close interaction with offender populations and may be difficult or stressful when dealing with irate or verbally abusive detainees and their family members and when managing critical situations.
Work requires some physical activity, including extended periods of sitting, standing and walking, climbing of stairs, and occasional carrying, balancing, kneeling, bending and reaching. An incumbent must have the ability to frequently lift and/or carry equipment and other materials weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Also, the ability to lift inmates, with assistance, weighting approximately 200 pounds and the ability to push or pull objects as needed. The ability to be totally mobile and to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, or legs as needed to administer care. An incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment used to perform the essential functions of this job.
Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $58,617.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work setting:

• In-person

Work Location: In person

Salary : $58,617 - $57,468