Juvenile Court Liaison Job Opening

Juvenile Court Liaison

Jefferson-Blount-St. Clair Mental Health Authority

• Pell City, Alabama
Category: Health Unit Coordinator
Juvenile Court Liaison
Normal Work Hours/Days: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m; Flexibility in hours is required to meet client/family needs
Location: St. Clair County
This position involved providing direct services to children with emotional/behavioral disturbances and/or substance abuse issues, along with their families, who are involved with St. Clair County Court. This employee is responsible for clinical assessments of client needs, and to advocate for appropriate services and/or least restrictive alternatives. The Liaison will work closely with the Court Judges and Probation Staff, as well as the Mental Health Unit Staff, and will be located in the Court building.
PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS
  • Interviewing, evaluating, and assessing mental health and/or substance abuse issues and appropriate needs of all client’s referred by St. Clair County Family Court
  • Working closely with the staff at Family Court and other community resources in order to provide or access appropriate services to meet the client needs (mental health services, school systems, etc.), and advocating for their services
  • Provide crisis intervention services to clients who report suicidal/homicidal ideations, or those who have attempted self-harm, or in the event of a tragedy
  • Consult with Coordinator, Probation Officers, or other staff as necessary
  • Provide coverage for Family Court, as necessary, in the absence of the Coordinator
  • Provide accurate documentation of charts in an electronic medical record on a daily basis, to include clinical assessments, referrals, progress, and follow-up
  • Completing required electronic documentation to meet service delivery accountability requirements
  • Provide weekly schedule of hours to Coordinator
  • Perform all administrative duties as required
  • Provide on-call coverage as scheduled
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Masters Degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy, who by education and training, is qualified to perform diagnostic assessments. Licensure or license eligible is preferred.
  • Two years experience working with seriously emotionally/behaviorally disturbed children and/or children who suffer with substance abuse issues, and their families in a community setting
  • Valid Alabama driver’s license and driving record acceptable to agency automobile insurance carrier for inclusion on agency policy. Suitable automobile to permit required travel. Must show and maintain car insurance equal to or in excess of the State of Alabama standards for automobile insurance coverage.
kNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
  • Knowledge of special needs and behavioral characteristics of severely emotionally/behaviorally disturbed children
  • Knowledge of substance abuse characteristics of children who suffer from drug and alcohol abuse or dependence
  • Knowledge of the community and available community resources
  • Knowledge of psychotherapy principles and techniques
  • Knowledge of psychotropic medications, including their use and side effects
  • Ability to perform individual/family assessments
  • Ability to make clinical decisions/recommendations in crisis situations
  • Demonstrate communication skills – both expressive and written
  • Ability and willingness to document activities and maintain electronic medical records
  • Ability to organize and manage one’s own activities with minimum direct supervision
  • Ability to work flexible hours due to the special needs of the children and their families