Crisis Counselor - NYC988

Position Title: Crisis Counselor (Full-Time)

Salary: $41000 - $48000

Department: H2H Connect Contact Center

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor

Location: Remote

Schedule: Full-time; Evenings and Overnight shifts

• Overnight shifts receive an additional 10% differential pay rate added to the salary.
• New hires are typically brought into the organization between the minimum to midpoint of the salary range posted depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.

Formerly the Mental Health Association of New York City (MHA-NYC), Vibrant Emotional Health’s groundbreaking solutions have delivered high quality services and support, when, where, and how people need it for over 50 years. Through our state-of-the-art technology-enabled services, community wellness programs, and advocacy and education work, we are building a society in which emotional wellness can be a reality for everyone.

Position Objective: This is an ideal position for individuals who are interested in helping others and contributing to their community. Counselors provide evidence-informed crisis intervention, suicide prevention, information & referral, and brief supportive counseling to individuals who contact the NYC988 program in emotional distress, particularly those at high risk for suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts and behaviors. Counselors interact with clients through SMS text messaging, web chat and/or calls. The position provides an opportunity to gain a wide range of clinical skills, and knowledge of the expanding field of behavioral and tele-mental health.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide evidence-informed information and referral, brief supportive counseling, crisis intervention and suicide prevention support to callers and/or chat/text visitors who are in emotional distress.
• Conduct assessments in accordance with program policies & procedures.
• Utilize resource referral databases to provide information and referral assistance to callers seeking mental health and substance abuse services.
• Provide follow-up to high-risk callers reporting suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts and behaviors.
• Participation in at least two Lifeline continuing education webinars per fiscal year.
• Manage interactions to ensure the appropriate level of support is provided in an efficient manner.
• Adhere to policies & procedures for each service offered by the program.
• Accurately and efficiently document client interactions.
• Meet or exceed established key performance indicator goals.
• Utilize SMS texting, and/or web chat to interact with clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Fluency in the English language both oral and written.
• Courteous, empathic and professional manner.
• Motivational interviewing.
• Active listening skills to establish working alliance with callers and/or chat/text visitors.
• Efficiency with information-gathering, and problem-solving to facilitate resolution of inquiries.
• Superior communication skills to convey information clearly, accurately and completely.
• Ability to maintain professional demeanor when handling crises and other difficult contacts.
• Efficiency with balancing pace and flow of conversation and call time.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Forensic Psychology, or related field required.
• Minimum of 1-2 years experience working in behavioral health and/or call center.
• Experience working in behavioral health with call center experience strongly preferred.
• Must be comfortable working independently and as part of a team in a collegial group environment.
• Valid NYS clinical license and registration are welcome.
• Must be able to attend a 5-week training class without interruptions

Physical Requirements:

• Mostly sedentary work; using standard office equipment including: a computer, keyboard, and telephone.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, residents, families, service providers and others.
• Ability to remain calm and composed under stress.
• Ability to respond to telephones and other auditory stimulation.
• Ability to evaluate/interpret information and make independent judgment/decisions.

Excellent comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, supplemental income insurance, pre-tax transit/parking, pre-tax FSA for medical and dependent care, and 401K available. 4 weeks’ vacation, plum benefits, etc.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who come from a less traditional background. Vibrant will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Vibrant Emotional Health is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, caregiver status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

"Please be aware that fictitious job openings, consulting engagements, solicitations, or employment offers may be circulated on the Internet in an attempt to obtain privileged information, or to induce you to pay a fee for services related to recruitment or training. Vibrant does not charge any application, processing, or training fee at any stage of the recruitment or hiring process. All genuine job openings will be posted on our careers page and all communications from the Vibrant recruiting team and/or hiring managers will be from an @vibrant.org email address."