Crisis Therapist

The Charter County of Wayne is Michigans first and largest County! Home to 34 cities and nine townships; from Rockwood to Livonia from Sumpter Township to the Grosse Pointes each community in Wayne County offers residents and businesses a unique blend of opportunity to live work play and raise families.

Headquartered in beautiful Downtown Detroit our largest city and the automotive capital of the world Wayne County Government offers a diversified economy and high standards for our residents quality of life. With a history rich in culture arts and diverse communities Wayne County takes pride in its promotion of diversity inclusion and equity not only through its residents but also through its employees.

Becoming a part of the Wayne County team means that you are driven ambitious and ready to have a positive impact on the community.

JOB SUMMARY

The Crisis Therapist under the direction of the Mental Health Department Manager is responsible for addressing all crisis needs and calls within the facility. This position responds to crisis calls as they arise screening and assessing residents for precautionary status and coordinating further psychiatric evaluations when medically necessary. The Crisis Therapist also assists with initial assessments to ensure that compliance timeframes are met including the development of safety plans for youth at the time of admission.

Unlike Clinical Therapists who maintain caseloads the Crisis Therapist does not carry ongoing cases or provide individual therapy sessions. Instead the role is dedicated to immediate intervention prevention and resolution of crises. The Crisis Therapist is encouraged to participate actively in peace circles facilitated by operational leadership and to contribute to mentoring initiatives that support youth development and conflict resolution.

The overall focus of the Crisis Therapist is to provide timely intervention services designed to prevent and de-escalate incidents reduce cycles of violence and retaliation and support a safer environment within the facility. This is achieved through the application of evidence-based practices including effective de-escalation strategies and intentional rapport-building with youth in crisis.

Required Task

• Conduct on-the-spot assessments of youth presenting with acute behavioral emotional or psychiatric concerns.
• Screen residents for suicide risk self-harm or precautionary status upon admission and during crises.
• Complete and assist operations with resident and staff debriefing forms.
• Assess and make recommendations to the Mental Health Department Manager regarding crisis prevention services at the Juvenile Detention Facility.
• Provide brief interventions focused on stabilizing the residents and preventing escalation.
• Provide immediate crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Interact with residents to assist them in gaining insight defining goals and planning action to achieve personal social educational or vocational development and adjustment.
• Counsel the residents in crisis prevention mental health physical abuse social adjustment medical care etc.
• Complete safety and soothing plans for all youth admitted to JDF as needed.
• Assist with the development and monitoring of behavior plans if applicable to youth.
• Document all crisis interventions assessments and safety plans in JAIS or other approved systems.
• Coordinate and communication with clinical therapists assigned to youths caseload.
• Participate in pod conflict discussion peace circles and debriefings.
• Assist the clinical department with medication consent.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements

• Masters degree in Counseling Social Work or Psychology or related degree from an accredited college or university.
• Limited Licensed Professional Counselor Limited Licensed Psychologist Limited Licensed Master Social worker - Clinical designation preferred.

Experience Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience providing therapeutic treatment/intervention to youth.
• Juvenile detention experience- preferred.

Special Conditions:

• Candidates must obtain MDHHS Central Registry clearance and Childrens Protective Services History clearance as well as any state that the candidate has lived in outside of Michigan.