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Emergency Screener

Washington County Mental Health Services is seeking an experienced Emergency Screener to provide crisis intervention services for individuals and families across our service area. This full-time position requires three 12-hour shifts plus four hours of administrative time per week, including nights and weekends, based at our Berlin facility with extensive outreach throughout Washington County and sections of Orange County. You'll work in diverse, fast-paced environments conducting complex assessments and providing immediate interventions for people experiencing mental health and substance use emergencies while collaborating effectively with internal teams and external community partners.

Primary Job Duties

+ Provide on-site intervention services in emergency rooms, mental health inpatient units, police stations, courts, schools, and community settings including individuals' homes throughout Washington County and Orange County.

+ Triage situations with flexibility and mobility, performing comprehensive risk assessments and conducting clinical interviews while utilizing de-escalation skills and evidence-based interventions.

+ Make critical decisions and develop safe disposition plans in high-stress, fast-paced environments involving a wide range of complex clinical presentations requiring sophisticated assessment capabilities.

+ Collaborate effectively as a team member with colleagues within Washington County Mental Health Services and external community partners, maintaining strong interpersonal communication and working productively with peer networks.

+ Complete timely, organized clinical documentation with excellent written and oral communication skills while developing clinical competencies to achieve Qualified Mental Health Professional status within six months of hire.

Qualifications and Skills

+ Bachelor's degree or higher with three to five years of experience providing mental health services to diverse populations; Master's degree preferred.

+ Demonstrated awareness and knowledge of mental health, developmental disabilities, and social services systems in Vermont with ability to navigate complex care coordination across multiple agencies and settings.

+ Strong clinical skills including crisis assessment, risk evaluation, de-escalation techniques, and appropriate referral processes for individuals experiencing acute psychiatric and substance use emergencies.

+ Excellent decision-making abilities in high-pressure situations with capacity to manage multiple complex cases simultaneously while maintaining clinical judgment and safety focus.

+ Valid driver's license with excellent driving record, willingness to use personal vehicle for outreach, and access to a safe, reliable, insured vehicle for regular travel throughout the service area.

Compensation and benefits:

This full-time position starts at $29.07/hr and includes comprehensive benefits including paid time off; employer-sponsored health, dental, life, and disability insurances; a 403(b) retirement plan with generous employer match; and educational benefits such as tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment.

To apply:

We encourage applicants to apply via the WCMHS website Careers (https://www.wcmhs.org/careers)  page. Applications (resume and cover letter) may also be emailed to [email protected] or mailed via USPS mail to WCMHS Human Resources, PO Box 647, Montpelier, VT 05601. WCMHS strives to make our application process accessible to all. If you need language assistance or an accommodation in the application process, please contact us at [email protected] or 802-229-1399.

About the agency:

For more than 50 years, Washington County Mental Health Services (WCMHS) has served the Washington County community and the Orange County towns of Orange, Washington and Williamstown. WCMHS provides education, support, and treatment of individuals and families living with mental health challenges, substance use issues, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. Providing accessible, high-quality services in the community, schools, and health care settings, we work toward positive outcomes for wellness with collaborative, inclusive, and compassionate care. Washington County Mental Health Services is “Where Hope and Support Come Together.”

Washington County Mental Health Services is an equal opportunity employer. Grounded in our understanding that diversity makes us stronger, we are committed to inclusion in our workplace and services. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and consider applications for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, health care coverage status, military status, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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