Job Description:
Position: Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) FLSA Status: Exempt Non-exempt

Mental Health Clinician Prepared/Revised Date: 7/8/24

Department: Forensic

Education: A Master’s Degree in counseling or social work with a minimum of credentials as an LSW or LPC. Independent licensure as an LISW-S or LPCC-S preferred. Clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders in children and adults.

Experience: 3-5 years’ experience in the treatment of juveniles and adults who have mental health and/or substance use history. Experience in correctional settings preferred. Experience in crisis assessment and de-escalation preferred. Experience in supervision of clinical staff a plus.

Qualifications: Ability to provide mental health services consistent with the needs of juveniles in a correctional setting. Provision of day-to-day clinical services as well as coordination of care with community-based providers. Ability to work effectively with community stakeholders to manage the juvenile’s needs and develop care plans to use for them while in JDC custody, and in preparation for community re-entry. Must demonstrate strong skills in diagnostic assessment, crisis assessment, de-escalation, group and individual counseling, with the youth. Shall be able to develop appropriate care plans and community re-entry plans with the youth. Shall connect youth and their families with needed resources to effectively enhance their overall functioning in the community. Must have the ability to manage and track many tasks simultaneously as well as demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, mediation, patience, and organization. Shall be open to the individuality of others and able to establish professional rapport. Must possess strong oral and writing skills. Understanding the juvenile justice/ legal system is key to relating to the specific circumstances of the youth as well as in relating to court personnel. Must be able to effectively manage the caseload of youth within the Juvenile Detention Center to produce positive outcomes for the consumers. Proficient in use of electronic medical records and Microsoft Office products (Word and Excel).

Immediate Supervisor: Director of Forensics

Subordinates: None

Position Summary: The Juvenile Detention Mental Health Clinician is involved in the provision of day-to-day clinical services. He/she assesses clinical and programmatic needs within the JDC and makes changes/ enhancements as needed to provide effective mental health and addiction services. Works collaboratively with the JDC administrative team to provide services consistent with the mission and vision of the organization. He/ she provides mental health screening, diagnostic assessment, counseling, crisis and care coordination services to juveniles at the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center. He/ she provides educational and therapeutic counseling to assist the juveniles in managing a wide range of psychosocial and emotional concerns which may be impacting their functioning. He/ she shall work with the juveniles and their families to help decrease their potential for recidivating in the criminal justice system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate and perform mental health screening and diagnostic assessments on juveniles detained at the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center.

2. Engage in treatment and care planning which is clinically indicated according to the juvenile’s presentation/ diagnosis. Refer to and coordinate resources such as JDC programming, community treatment resources, and community support resources as appropriate in collaboration with juvenile court and juvenile probation.

3. Provide individual counseling and/ or group counseling as clinically appropriate.

4. Coordinate/ provide risk assessments, crisis intervention and de-escalation plans for juveniles.

5. When not on site, be accessible by phone to the JDC staff for consultation on crisis situations. Access Alternative Paths Emergency Services staff in the event immediate mental health crisis assessment is required nights or weekends.

6. Provide mental health education to juveniles/ families/ significant others as clinically appropriate.

7. Work collaboratively with the court/ probation department to provide case management services such as linkage with resources needed to be successful in the community whether it is treatment, social supports, vocational, education, etc.

8. Assist juveniles in developing skills to support successful community re-entry, healthy living, enhanced relations with others, and behaviors which prevent re-engagement in illegal activity.

9. Consult as needed/ required with criminal justice professionals, i.e. judges, probation officers with regard to a juvenile’s participation and progress mental health treatment/ programs.

10. The JDC Mental Health Clinician will be on site 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. He/ she shall be responsible for phone availability nights and weekends in the event consultation is needed. Access Alternative Paths Emergency Services staff in the event immediate mental health crisis assessment is required nights or weekends.

11. Attend JDC as well as agency staff and supervision meetings. Attend professional development in-services and continuing education as required by agency policy as well as professional licensure standards.

12. Abide by Alternative Paths agency personnel policy as well as JDC policies and procedures. Maintain mental health services/ practices compliant with Ohio Standards for Juvenile Detention Centers.

13. Complete and maintain appropriate clinical documentation of all mental health services provided to the juveniles at the JDC. Ensure all mental health records are maintained in a manner consistent with all state and federal laws.

14. Maintain any data/ statistics required by the JDC and provide reports as requested.

15. Work with the administrative staff of the JDC to address any concerns that arise while providing mental health services within the JDC setting.

16. Provide training/ education to the JDC staff / community on topics related to mental health, suicide prevention, risk assessment, treatment resources or other clinical topics as requested.

17. Maintain a high level of professionalism and cooperative spirit in working with fellow staff, clients, and other professionals in the community.

The above listed responsibilities are not intended to be all inclusive and do not exclude any other functions customarily performed by a Juvenile Detention Center Mental Health Clinician which may from time to time be requested by the immediate supervisor or the CEO. Work schedules may vary according to the need of the agency.

Work Environment: Juvenile Detention Center, General Office

Physical Demands: While performing the essential duties of this job, an employee is regularly required to move about; communicate, convey and engage in conversation/discussion; and operate standard office equipment; write /create documentation; detect, recognize, perceive, and observe.

Employee must be able to perform these essential functions with or without a requested reasonable accommodation.