Behavioral Health Clinician - Housing Not Jail 

Schedule: Full time - benefits eligible
Pay: $24/hr - funded through 12/31/2021

Mission Statement

Volunteers of America, Utah provides a bridge to self-reliance and health for vulnerable individuals and populations who struggle with homelessness, addiction and mental illness in our Wasatch Front communities.

The Housing Not Jail (HNJ) team is a collaboration of The Road Home, Volunteers of America, and SL County, with staff from each agency working as a cohesive, multi-disciplinary team. The HNJ team includes an Outreach Specialist, Housing Specialists, Case Managers, a Behavioral Health Clinician, and an Employment Specialist. The team connects individuals experiencing persistent homelessness with housing assistance and services needed to end homelessness and avoid chronic homelessness. The HNJ Behavioral Health Clinician uses a Trauma-Informed Care framework to provide assessment and referral services, as well as short-term therapeutic interventions to HNJ participants. This position is employed by Volunteers of America, Utah.

Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality, objective substance use assessments for individuals with possible substance use issues.Assessments will include:
  • Comprehensive DSM diagnoses.
  • Detailed information regarding substance use and/or mental health issues.
  • Consideration of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) placement criteria.
• Provide education to program participants about common mental health and substance use disorders and available treatment options.
• Provide high-quality, objective mental health assessments for individuals with possible mental health disorders. Provide brief counseling or psychotherapy using evidence-based techniques such as CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and other relevant interventions. 
• Provide referrals to the appropriate services to address the individual’s unique treatment issues and life circumstances. Most referrals for treatment will occur through Salt Lake County's behavioral health network.
• Provide outreach services for program participants who are homeless or recently housed; offer therapy and therapeutic supports for them as they stabilize in housing.
• Facilitate participant engagement and follow-up with referred treatment program.
• Track participant follow up and clinical outcomes.
• Document participant progress and treatment.
• Use agency vehicles to provide transportation for participants.

Qualifications

• Master’s level degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field. Active licensure through the state of Utah to practice mental health therapy.
• Experience performing biopsychosocial assessments and utilizing the ASAM criteria.
• Previous training and experience working with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Experience working with diverse and vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of homeless populations and Salt Lake area community resources preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working with individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Ability to be proactive and maintain organization, initiating daily tasks, and coordinating schedules working as a member of a team.
• Be dependable and reliable.
• Ability to build and foster relationships with partner agencies.
• Ability to maintain a calm demeanor with a potentially high distress population.
• Ability to enter clients’ dwellings, including climbing stairs.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Pass criminal background check and drug screening.​

Full-time benefits include:
    Low cost medical coverage (SelectHealth), with a Health Savings Account ($300 quarterly employer contribution)
    Low cost dental and vision coverage
    $50,000 life insurance coverage
    Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
    Retirement plan with employer match

Submit your resume on the career page of our website: www.voaut.org/careers

Volunteers of America, Utah is committed to creating a diverse environment, where all people feel valued, have the opportunity to do their personal best and where leadership development is fostered. The organization is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs without regard to race, ethnicity, skin color, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and developmental abilities, physical ability or religious belief. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.