POSITION SUMMARY:

This is a professional administrative position that is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Department’s Emergency and Court Services and coordination with the Mental Health Hearing Court to implement the commitment sections of the Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities Act of 1966 and the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976 (revised 10/24/2018). This position is also the liaison between the BH/DP Department and stakeholders in the criminal justice system.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Master’s Degree and two (2) years of professional level experience in the field of mental health or any equivalent combination of experience and training; intention to pursue licensure.
• Knowledge of basic principles and methods of working with adults and children with mental illness.
• Knowledge of substance use resources, Department of Human Services /Medical Assistance application information, and other County human services resources.
• Knowledge of the structure, organization and methods of public and private mental health agencies.
• Knowledge of basic methods and principles of community organization.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans and operations and make recommendations leading toward policy and method determination.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department staff and other agencies, such as those involved in disaster planning.
• Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Code Blue providers and related tasks as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acts as a Delegate of the Behavioral Health/Developmental Programs (BH/DP) Administrator in implementing Emergency and Court functions.
• Interprets and implements, with supervisory oversight, the Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities Act of 1966 and the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976 (revised 10/24/2018) and all regulations and Bulletins relating to Emergency and Court Services.
• Interprets rules and procedures, with supervisory oversight, established by the Bucks County BH/DP Department in the operation of Emergency Services.
• Maintains all records of Applications for Emergency Examination and Treatment and subsequent court commitments, including ensuring data entry and integrity.
• Provides technical assistance and training to the County crisis programs, emergency rooms, police, inpatient psychiatric units and other community agencies that require knowledge of established policies and procedures.
• Participates in the review of work of the on-call delegates to maintain consistent implementation of the established policies and procedures.
• Functions as Department liaison to the Mental Health Hearing Court personnel for the coordination of hearings, problem solving and provision of pertinent information relevant to proceedings.
• Manages telephone and in-person inquiries from the community and agencies and provides information regarding Emergency and Court Services.
• Receives, responds to and resolves complaints related to Emergency and Court Services with supervisory oversight.
• Approves and authorizes County funding for medication prescriptions.
• Prepares and forwards the Notification of Mental Health Commitment form in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act to the Pennsylvania State Police and the Sheriff’s Department. Responds to requests for clarification received from the State Police and forwards documents needed for record check investigations.
• Authorizes payment upon initial review and continued utilization reviews using the County’s standard for payment for persons receiving county funding for psychiatric inpatient care and Crisis Residential Authorizations.
• Assists with inpatient psychiatric discharge planning and coordination of services through the exploration of appropriate aftercare options and referrals.
• Responds to public inquiries and resolves complaints, in consultation with supervisory staff, related to specific individuals involved in crisis and emergency services.
• Responds when the Disaster Crisis Outreach & Referral Team (Emergency Behavioral Health) is requested. Participates in the MH Regional Emergency Behavioral Health planning and coordination meetings, as well as Regional Crisis/Emergency and Delegate meetings.
• Prepares reports for supervisor as required.
• Attends internal monthly Delegate meetings as scheduled.
• Attends and facilitates trainings/meetings as identified by supervisor.
• Evening and weekend work as required.
• Other related work as required.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Master’s Degree and two (2) years of professional level experience in the field of mental health or any equivalent combination of experience and training; intention to pursue licensure.
• Knowledge of basic principles and methods of working with adults and children with mental illness.
• Knowledge of substance use resources, Department of Human Services /Medical Assistance application information, and other County human services resources.
• Knowledge of the structure, organization and methods of public and private mental health agencies.
• Knowledge of basic methods and principles of community organization.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans and operations and make recommendations leading toward policy and method determination.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department staff and other agencies, such as those involved in disaster planning.
• Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Code Blue providers and related tasks as assigned