Crisis & Acute Care Services Clinician

UMass Amherst
United States, Massachusetts, Amherst
Mar 06, 2025
About UMass Amherst The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. Job Summary The Crisis & Acute Care Services Clinician reports to the Coordinator for Crisis and Acute Care Services (CACS) of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH), providing support, assessment and direct intervention to students experiencing acute clinical distress, mental health crises, and other urgent situations. This is a split position where the clinician will act as a part of the Crisis Team and the Acute Care Team within the clinic. Essential Functions Providing direct clinical services to students in crisis, including risk evaluation, safety planning, biopsychosocial evaluation, mental status assessment, crisis intervention, counseling, and referral to appropriate resources. Reviews applicable records and consults collateral contacts to gather information. Makes clinical recommendations regarding level of care and involuntary hospitalization as necessary. Responsible for clinical and legal liability around professional practices and patient care using professional clinical judgement, deep understanding and compliance with professional ethics codes, and knowledge of state and federal laws (Section 12, Tarasoff Warning). Failure to adequately assess risk and respond appropriately may result in harm to the student and/or larger community. Crisis and risk assessment involves potential harm to clinician in the course of working with individuals experiencing psychosis, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, homicidal, or suicidal in a 1:1 setting. Providing clinical care to students in Acute Care Program, including completing an intake evaluation, determining clinical appropriateness/eligibility, safety planning, group and individual therapeutic support sessions, and discharge paperwork. Facilitating Acute Care Group offerings including community conversations, workshops, and group therapy. General Clinical Activities Applying substantial knowledge of psychology, social work, and clinical practice to effectively assess and deliver evidence-based interventions in multiple treatment modalities. Collaborating with and assisting students in solving complex problems spanning a range of academic and/or administrative areas via direct outreach, advocacy, provision of documentation, and referrals. Collaborating with students to increase their capacity and skill in accessing resources that promote wellbeing and academic success. Consulting, collaborating, and liaising with campus partners and external entities to triage and assess the needs of students in crisis. This includes working closely with hospitals and healthcare emergency departments, mental health providers, crisis services, community therapists, law enforcement personnel, family/friends of student, Dean of Students Office, Residential Life, University Health Services, UMass faculty/staff and other campus partners in the goal of optimizing student care and safety. Responding to critical incidents on campus such as community member death, natural disaster, campus threats, or anything else that presents threat to safety, security, and health of the campus. Delivering training curriculum for suicide prevention, risk reduction, and crisis response on and off campus. Participating in crisis response and emergency management training and planning and supporting the development and implementation of crisis management protocols and procedures. Preparing accurate and timely clinical documentation in an Electronic Medical Record system, maintaining compliance with HIPAA guidelines and medical billing standards. Actively participating in departmental and program meetings, such as conferences, administrative meetings, training, program development, and other special committees. Maintaining licensure, including earning of required CEUs, and adhering to all other practices and policies as outlined by UMASS, Title IX, Clery, mandated reporting guidelines, and professional code of ethics. Other Functions Performing related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements. Demonstrating capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success. Understanding responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent with state and federal laws, professional ethics, and University policy. Contributing toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Using access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) Master's Degree or higher in Social Work, Clinical/Counseling Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy upon hire. Independent Licensure or License-Eligible and working toward Independent Licensure (LCSW, LICSW, or LMHC). Three (3) years of relevant professional experience. At least one (1) year of experience working in crisis or acute care setting or substantial experience completing risk evaluations/providing direct intervention to high-risk clients. Demonstrated competence in assessing and facilitating involuntary hospitalization for individuals at imminent risk to self or others. Demonstrated experience and competence with administrative functions, including ability to use complex computer systems such as electronic medical records and databases. Well-developed understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion in clinical care, including attending to the unique needs and advocating for individuals experiencing marginalization, such as first-generation college students, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, neuro-diverse individuals, individuals with disabilities, and individuals at the intersection of multiple identities. Recognizes the impact that racism, oppression, and other systemic inequities have on student access to care, especially in emergency situations. Demonstrated competence in providing services in a culturally responsive and identity-informed manner that affirms the complex ways in which culture and identity affect therapeutic service delivery. Superior intercultural communication skills. Capacity to employ the following skills in a fast-paced environment: Strong ability to communicate clearly and concisely, especially with regard to complicated information, in written and oral formats. Solid decision-making abilities, using consultation and data to inform the process. Creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Initiative and follow through in tackling various challenges. Impeccable organizational skills. Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) Candidates fluent in Mandarin, Spanish, and/or other languages spoken by UMass students. Physical Demands/Working Conditions Typical mental health clinic environment. Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm, as necessary will be required to work some nights and weekends, to facilitate Acute Care groups and to assist in critical incident response. Clinician may choose to participate in rotation of after hours on-call shifts at their discretion. Salary Information Level 29 PSU Hiring Ranges Special Instructions to Applicants Upload your cover letter and resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended. UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.