Head of Service Job Description

Job Title: Head of Service

Supervisor:  Executive Director

Supervises: Clinician (1) and Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (2)

Status: 0.6FTE, Exempt, transitioning to full time in 2 years

 

COMPANY SUMMARY:  This is an opportunity to join an exciting and dynamic new nonprofit organization formed to answer one of Humboldt County’s most pressing mental health needs, crisis care for young people. Sorrel Leaf Healing Center is an integrated system of care that will offer mobile crisis response, a crisis residential facility, and an outpatient aftercare clinic. Sorrel Leaf's comprehensive system of care will serve the needs of children and adolescents ages 7 to 18, offering transformative, compassionate, evidence-based and trauma-informed care for young people experiencing a mental health crisis. The first program to go live is the Mobile Response Team, however this position offers future opportunities to work in any of the programs once they are open.

 

JOB SUMMARY: This position during the period leading up to the opening of the residential treatment facility is responsible for clinical oversight of the currently operational Mobile Response Team, as well as the clinical and therapeutic aspects of the development of the Children’s Crisis Residential Program. 

 

The Mobile Response Team provides immediate response to young people (7-18 years old) who are experiencing a mental health crisis within the community.  The team includes a clinician and mental health rehabilitation specialist who respond to individuals together to provide de-escalation, behavioral health support, safety planning, and case management services during and after a mental health crisis. The Head of Service will be responsible for being on-call throughout the week for in the moment crisis needs from the Clinician and Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist.  They will be a designated “back pocket” support when either staff member needs to brainstorm or get another opinion.  In addition, the Head of Service will provide 1 hour of supervision per staff member per week, and will develop and optimize the operation of the Mobile Response Team.

 

Once the residential program is open, this position will include supervision of a larger clinical staff, however during this period of program development (approximately the next 2 years) clinical supervision will be limited to our mobile response team, with the remainder of the time spent on clinical and therapeutic program development, compliance with regulatory bodies, and building out the philosophy of care, training and therapeutic model for the residential treatment center. As such, a successful Head of Service will possess a strong interest in program development and evidence based interventions to help young people recover from a mental health crisis and find meaning and purpose in their lives. 

 

This position is a temporary part-time position for 18-24 months, with the opportunity for growth to full-time, permanent position once our Crisis Residential Treatment Center is operational.

 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Mobile Response Team Clinical Supervisor:

  • Provide on-call supervision for three staff members responding to crisis calls in the community through the Mobile Response Team, as needed during business hours

  • Respond to calls within 30 -6o minutes

  • Provide 1 hour of supervision per staff member per week (3 total)

  • Provide supervision in line with therapeutic models of brief, structured intervention techniques, including de-escalation, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, etc. 

  • Support staff members as questions arise around intervention, safety protocols, assessment, required documentation, etc.

  • Communicate clearly with Executive Director, The Head of Operations, and Board Members as program needs change and grow 

  • Provide overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of Mobile Response Team, in collaboration with the Executive Director and Head of Service

  • Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws

• Clinical Program Development Lead

  • Work closely with the Head of Operations and the Executive Director to develop the clinical, therapeutic and milieu models that will govern operations at the Residential Treatment Center

  • Ensure that the clinical programming is in compliance with all State and County regulations governing such facilities

  • Develop the training and orientation program for new clinical and non-clinical staff in keeping with our mission and values and as a trauma informed organization

 

QUALIFICATIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION:

• Master's Degree or PhD in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology or equivalent

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of two years post licensure human services experience, preferably in clinical mental health, acute care facility, primary care or community case management setting or equivalent.

• Two years providing clinical supervision

• Two years providing on-call crisis supervision, preferred

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES: 

• LCSW, MFT, LPCC Licensure by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and registration with BBS required

• Valid California Driver’s license and a satisfactory driving clearance

• CPR/First Aid

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 21 years of age

• Health Screening and Tuberculosis Test

• Meets qualifications regulated by the BBS to provide clinical supervision in California

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Have a strong commitment to youth mental healthcare

• Be self-driven and inspired to make real change

• Be interested in exploring with new eyes what can be done to address the crisis of mental and spiritual wellbeing among our young people 

• Be client centered and focused

• Possess and promote flexibility, creativity, and positivity

• Be willing and excited to be part of a startup program and organization

• Assume positive intent and communicate effectively in working relationships

• Provide clear guidance and communication to supervisees that promotes learning

• Have a strong commitment to promote equity

• Be familiar with computerized documentation systems (Word, Excel, web-based applications, and e-mail accounts) and with clinical documentation in an electronic health record

• Work with a diverse patient and staff populations

• Act as a mentor or preceptor to staff and interns as assigned

• Be knowledgeable about, observe and comply with hospital and community health codes of safe practice, safety policies and emergency procedures.

• Treat all information and data within the scope of the position with complete confidentiality and security.

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

• Client Service - Manages difficult or emotional client situations; Responds promptly to client needs; Solicits client feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

• Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Utilizes self-regulation skills;  Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.

• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Inspires respect and trust; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others; Displays passion and optimism.

• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Aligns work with strategic goals; Develops and implements cost saving measures.

• Ethics - Demonstrates knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity policy; Treats people with respect; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Asks for and offers help when needed.

• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Develops realistic action plans.

• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  For the development period, work location will be flexible, split between the Mobile Response Team office in Eureka and remote work from home. Occasional Zoom meetings will be expected, and some of these may be in the evenings as community groups meet to help guide of program development. 

 

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 the essential functions.

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