Clinician- Emergency Services

Colonial Behavioral Health provides opportunities for recovery to individuals and their family members in the areas of mental illness, substance use disorder, and developmental disabilities. Colonial Behavioral Health serves the citizens of James City County, City of Poquoson, City of Williamsburg, and York County. 

We are currently recruiting for a Clinician position within the Emergency Services program. This position provides comprehensive Emergency Services, including assessment of acute behavioral health crises, risk evaluation, triage and interventions to those experiencing a behavioral health crisis. 

In Fall of 2026, Colonial Behavioral Health will be opening the Center for Support and Wellness, a brand-new facility that will place all crisis services to include Emergency Services, Peer Support Services, Mobile Crisis Response, and Community Crisis Stabilization in one location. Future services will include a 23-hour Crisis Stabilization unit and Residential Crisis Stabilization unit. This position would allow you to be a part of the continued development and design of the brand-new facility. 

Job Responsibilities

• Completes pre-admission screenings, to include mental status, risk, current functioning, diagnosis, and identify appropriate clinical interventions
• Utilize recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate provision of services, integrating the Zero Suicide/Suicide Safer Care principles
• Promote positive communication and collaboration among team members and other community stakeholders, including hospital and correctional staff, law enforcement, family members, clinicians, and others
• Document all required elements in the electronic health record (EHR) at the conclusion of the crisis situation in a timely manner
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule
Primarily Monday through Friday, 12am to 8am; Position may require shifts outside of regular schedule when needed for 24/7, code-mandated coverage, to include daytime, evenings, weekends and holidays

• Knowledge of applicable statutory provisions in the Code of Virginia regarding confidentiality, voluntary and involuntary hospitalization, procedural expectations for preadmission screening. 
• Ability to effectively document assessments and service activity, including health information records and service documentation, reports and correspondence.
• Knowledge, skills and abilities in the assessment, diagnosis (DSM-5) and intervention to persons with acute mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual disabilities, and co-occurring disorders.
• Knowledge and ability to pre-screen persons with acute mental health crises for voluntary and involuntary hospitalization. 
• Knowledge of Risk Assessment Criteria (e.g., dangerousness to self /others, inability to care for self due to mental illness), and duty to warn
• Clinical competence in managing suicidal individuals
• Minimum of two (2) years of crisis experience with individuals with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder required.  
• Valid driver’s license is required.  
• Bachelor's Degree in a human services field required. Master's degree in human services field preferred.
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP )required. Resident in Counseling or Supervisee in Social Work preferred.
• DBHDS Preadmission Screening Certificate, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire required

• DMV record must be submitted with application
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• Competitive compensation
• Virginia Retirement System
• Health, Dental, Vision, & Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Accounts
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer