PROGRAM AND JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Bureau of Mental Health's (BMH) mission is to improve mental health and wellness for people in New York City, and to eliminate racial and other long-standing societal disparities by providing services, resources, and opportunities to New Yorkers that are grounded in accurate, data-driven information that fosters community participation, thus reducing the stigma around mental health. The Office of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is responsible for the management and oversight of the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program in New York City. The New York State Legislature passed Kendra's law as an amendment to the Mental Hygiene Law to allow for outpatient civil commitment of individuals with histories of serious mental illness, difficulty engaging in rehabilitation, and who present high risk to themselves or the community. The program enables these individuals to live safely in the community, avoid repeated inpatient hospitalizations, and ensure they have access to comprehensive outpatient services.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

Review court ordered transport requests to determine that they are in accordance with legal standards.

Coordinate all logistical issues pertaining to the involuntary transport of the individual to a psychiatric hospital in collaboration with the AOT teams, Care Coordinator (CC)/Assertive Clinical Treatment (ACT) teams and the NYC Sheriff's Office and/or NYPD.

Conduct investigations regarding missing individuals and communicate with family members, physicians, allied health staff, neighbors and others involved with the individual.

Accompany the individual and sheriff or police to designated receiving psychiatric hospitals.

Facilitate the admission process by sharing pertinent clinical information and safety concerns with appropriate hospital staff.

Provide follow-up information to AOT, CC/ACT teams and allied health staff concerning the disposition of the individual as needed.

Document all investigation and involuntary transport actions.

Maintain a productive working alliance with the NYC Sheriff's Office and NYPD.

Maintain collaborative relationships with AOT clinicians and allied health providers involved with the care of the individual.

Contribute to other time-limited projects, where duties may include, reviewing written materials, project planning and supporting reporting activities, as needed.


Preferred Skills:
The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of Assisted Outpatient Treatment, mental health treatment services, and the service delivery system and present excellent oral and written communication skills.

Why you should work for us:
- Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)

CONSULTANT (PUBLIC HEALTH-SOCI - 51613

Graduation from an accredited graduate school of social work as evidenced by a master's degree or certificate and four years of full-time paid experience in public health, medical or psychiatric social work, at least two years of which must have been in a supervisory, administrative or consultative capacity.
Within 18 months of the date of appointment, all candidates will be required to obtain a certificate as Certified Social Worker (CSW) issued by the New York State Department of Education.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.