The CHRIS 180 mission is to heal children, strengthen families and build community. We help children, adults and families who have experienced trauma change the direction of their lives to become more productive, self-sufficient members of the community. We do this through mental health counseling, training, providing safe housing and real-world skill building.

CHRIS 180 is committed to collaboration, use of the best available science, evidence-based practices, and a trauma informed organizational culture, policies and practices which facilitates and supports resiliency, recovery and self-sufficiency and that prevents trauma from occurring or reoccurring wherever possible.

CHRIS 180 Vision: High quality trauma informed behavioral health services and supports systems are available to all children, adults and families.

CHRIS 180 Values:

Creativity We are innovative agents of change identifying new solutions and approaches.

Honor We celebrate each person’s individuality and the gifts of diversity.

Respect We honor one another, treat each other with kindness and work together as a team.

Integrity We are transparent, trustworthy and accountable. Always.

Safety We create consistent environments free from danger in which people have the opportunity to grow and become the best they can be.

Organization Overview

Since 1981 CHRIS 180 has been dedicated to healing and recovery for children, youth, adults, and families and is a growing $40 million organization with over 400 employees. CHRIS 180 services include: counseling for the community at large; school based mental health counseling; comprehensive wraparound services; homes for abused, neglected foster children with emotional and behavioral problems who are in state custody and for unaccompanied children in federal foster care; supportive housing for single and parenting young people, ages 17 – 24 who are homeless or aging out of foster care; in-home services and community programs that strengthen families; outreach, drop-in and community housing for older teens, young adults and families with children experiencing homelessness; services in community centers and partnerships with afterschool providers; an adoption program for children in foster care; teen and gun violence reduction programming; and, training for professionals, human service workers, educators, volunteers, individuals who work within the community, in hospitals, other organizations and with children, youth, adults, and families. The goal for all services is to unlock the potential that resides in each person to help them build resiliency and become self-sufficient, contributing adults who have the skills to navigate life’s challenges. Numerous partnerships support this work.

Program Overview

CHRIS Counseling Center services are rooted in trauma informed care. This care is directed by an understanding of neurological, biological, psychological and social effects of trauma. We assess consumers to learn if trauma occurred and whether it has a role in behavioral health needs. Some trauma includes sexual, physical, emotional abuse, severe neglect, loss, witnessing violence, substance abuse, imprisoned family member, and abandonment. Understanding when trauma occurred helps us tailor our responses, treatment and services. Trauma-informed assessments and interventions always acknowledge, respects, and integrate cultural values, beliefs, and practices.

Position Summary

The DIC Intake Clinician is a member The SPOT Drop In Center team which consist of life and employment coaches and an operations and program manager. The target population of the DIC is emerging adults ages 16-26 experiencing homelessness and other vulnerabilities. A significant percentage of the target population are resistant to therapeutic supports either from cultural perceptions and/or previous therapeutic engagement that was not perceived as beneficial to the client (this is especially true for clients who were in foster care.) This position requires an aptitude for out-of-the-box thinking exploring and implementing creative ways to engage this population in therapeutic activities by 1) reframing their perception of therapy and/or 2) providing therapeutic supports in such a way that it is not perceived as therapeutic.

The Intake Clinician is responsible for conducting behavioral health assessments and associated documentation for all incoming clients. The DIC Intake Clinician is responsible for administering the behavioral health assessments and diagnosis necessary for service delivery to begin with CHRIS180. The DIC Intake Clinician must be able to demonstrate solid decision-making ability as related to the administration of Behavioral Health services. This includes triaging safety and well-being of the DIC clients, families, and staff. This person will be required to analyze and react to difficult situations, often while under considerable stress and pressure. Decisions will be guided by precedent and established policy and procedure, as well as consultation with program and clinical leadership.

The Intake Clinician is responsible for implementing the childcare philosophies, policies, procedures, and practices of CHRIS 180 as they pertain to this job description and as needed by the board, staff, teams, and clients. The Intake Clinician must be dependable, emotionally stable, and physically capable. This position requires some physical functions that are considered essential to satisfactory performance of the outlined job responsibilities, i.e., sitting, standing, walking, driving, speaking, hearing and the ability to physically restrain (when necessary). The Intake Clinician must be able to work with other staff members and must be able to recognize when assistance and consultation is needed.

Role and Responsibilities

The responsibilities for The Intake Clinician include but not limited to:

Provide positive role-modeling to consumers/families

• • Promote self-esteem
  • Promote healthy boundaries
  • Reinforce socially acceptable behaviors (ex: manners, eating habits, safety)
  • Reinforce thoughtful decision-making skills

Demonstrate customer service

• • Promote positive image of CHRIS 180 programs at all times
  • Maintains a pleasant disposition
  • Handle a fast-paced work environment
  • Work as a contributing and collaborative team member
  • Respond to consumer, referral and peer needs in a timely fashion
  • Answer telephone calls and emails accordingly
  • Respond to requests for information from stakeholders in a timely fashion

Creative Approaches to Client Engagement

• • Poll clients and conduct trend research to identify blockages to therapeutic engagement.
  • Identify and implement alternative engagement strategies for a therapeutic resistant population.
  • Explore and provide music therapy approaches in collaboration with the recording studio coordinator.
  • To identify and promote the use of various mindfulness activities and tools for use by a population often in high stress situations.

Specific services to consumers

• • Demonstrate exceptional engagement skills in providing trauma-focused mental health treatment to target population.
  • Maintain updates in Carelogic and update as appointments arrive, cancel, reschedule, arrive late or no show
  • Complete all necessary documentation related to behavioral health assessments; including but not limited to, verification of intake documentation obtained by the central intake team for consents and release of Information, completion of a comprehensive assessment within 3 to 5 business days (36 to 72 business hours), coordinate diagnostic verifications (within 30 days of the BHA) and reporting any no show/cancellations of assessment to the appropriate assigned team.
  • Complete follow up calls to referral sources, families, consumers, etc. that are within agency guidelines. This will include coordination of status of assessment and/or referring consumer to a higher/lower level of care based on identified need.
  • The Intake Clinician will ensure completion of behavioral health assessment, sending appropriate follow up communication (CCRF to assigned personnel in the counseling centers and UM), verify/obtain consents via Docu-sign, diagnostic verifications, and status verification communication to referral sources/courts.
  • Assessor I: Use preventive intervention techniques when needed to prevent injury (to self or others); including coordination and/or completion of 1013 as needed.
  • Assessor II: Use preventive intervention techniques when needed to prevent injury (to self or others); including coordination of 1013 as needed.

Intake Clinician Responsibilities

• • Demonstrate exceptional engagement skills and clinical expertise in providing trauma- informed mental health treatment to CHRIS Counseling Center consumers
  • Provide excellent customer service to consumers, families, and visitors
  • Assess consumer’s history of trauma, acuity, strengths and needs and provide initial clinical impressions
  • Provide behavioral health assessments that are both scheduled as well as walk-in visits
  • Complete supporting assessment documentation to include but not limited to; comprehensive assessments, CANS/ANSA, screening tools, safety plans, etc.
  • Screen, evaluate and triage potential consumers to determine what services/evidence- based interventions should be offered
  • Develop initial 30-day treatment plan for all consumers
  • Ensure each consumer is scheduled for a diagnostic verification (with fully licensed clinician or MD) within 30 days of treatment
  • Collaborate and communicate with other programs in the CHRIS 180 continuum in the provision of services to consumers
  • Collaborate and consult with other providers and entities in the provision of best care services to consumers
  • Participate in approximately 40 hours annually of ongoing training, workshops, seminars and institutes to ensure continued professional growth as required under state licensing regulations
  • Build rapport and good relationships with all internal and external referrals sources, stakeholders, and government entities that this position encounters.
  • Communicate with the Behavioral Health Assessment Team Operations Manager/Clinical Director regarding problems, and emergency situations
  • Ability to demonstrate competency (within 90 days of hire) of assessment processes
  • Perform additional duties assigned by the Behavioral Health Assessment Team Operations Manager, Clinical Director, CCO/COO, and/or CEO

Documentation Requirements

• • Timely documentation in accordance with CHRIS 180 policy and procedures
  • Document in electronic health record system the reason for cancellation, rescheduled appointments and tardiness within the note section of consumer information
  • Demonstrate competency in the assessment process, including the direct service of completing an assessment within the electronic health record.

Practice Requirements

• • Adhere to the organization policies and procedures.
  • Attend and participate in assigned meetings
  • Attend clinical supervision/administrative supervision
  • Participate in clinical consultation

Performance and Conduct

• • Maintain confidentiality of consumer information
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
  • Follow the CHRIS 180 Code of Ethics
  • Follow designated licensure board governing body code of ethics
  • Follow mandated reporting requirements of GA Code
  • Follow mandated requirements of accreditation and governing bodies of CHRIS 180
  • Support and maintain an environment of emotional and physical safety for consumers, staff and other stakeholders at all times

Maintain Personal Information and Training

• • Attend and participate in staff meetings as scheduled
  • Attend and participate in required trainings as scheduled
  • Maintain required certifications
  • Review, understand and responsible to program policies
  • Provide documents in a timely fashion to Human Resources
  • Report changes in status to HR as required by policy

Qualifications/Competencies

• Master’s degree in the field of social work, counseling and/or marriage and family therapy and either fully licensed (LPC, LCSW, LMFT).
• An understanding of the concepts of assessment screening tools, mental health and substance related disorders for children, adolescents, and adults following the current DSM guidelines.
• Clinical expertise in child development, dysfunction, counseling, treatment planning and diagnosis is required; including but not limited to providing assessments, diagnostic verifications (if fully licensed), case conceptualization, treatment recommendations, and following case management guidelines when making referrals.
• Ability to effectively relate to consumers, parents/custodians of all social, economic, ethnic and educational backgrounds, with firmness, fairness and concern,
• Solid decision-making ability as related to the safety and well-being of consumers, families, and community.
• Be guided by precedent and established policy and procedure in decision-making. This person will be required to analyze and react to difficult situations, at times independently, often while under considerable stress and pressure.
• Dependability, emotional stability and physically capable. This position requires some physical functions that are essential to satisfactory performance of the outlined job responsibilities, i.e. sitting, standing, walking, driving, speaking, hearing and the ability to physically restrain (when necessary).
• Ability to recognize when assistance and consultation is needed.
• The Intake Clinician must be free to travel as the position demands.
• Organizational skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to perform multiple tasks successfully
• Ability to learn new programs and processes quickly are also necessary for this position.
• Ability to work independent as well as part of a team
• Strong communication and interactive skills
• Self-motivated and able to work under demand and deadlines
• Computer skills * Preferred Qualifications include Microsoft Suite applications and CareLogic
• Flexible as the hours may vary, but a minimum of 40 hours a week will be worked and/or 80 hours in a pay period

Other

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Technical expertise that allows well informed decisions, usage of available tools and resources and training to execute job responsibilities
• Accountable for work being completed accurately and in a timely manner as well as following up as needed
• Ability to collaborate with other staff to ensure best practices and sound decisions
• Ability to communicate using appropriate tone when corresponding verbally or written (as well as proper usage of grammar and spelling)
• Ability to adapt and adjust to course and be open to new ideas
• Ability to manage workload by having a clear understanding of task/project and set realistic timelines and goals
• Commitment to our vision and mission should be demonstrated in work

Schedule

This is a full-time position and typically works Monday – Friday 9:00 am –6:00 pm but requires flexibility. This position may be required to travel between different CHRIS 180 Counseling Centers in Dekalb, Fulton, & Gwinnett County.

Benefits we offer:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flex Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• 403(b)
• Paid Time Off

Physical Demands

The physical demands 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 essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.