Licensed Mental Health Counselor (CTI) - Community Support Program at The Bridge Inc.

Description

The Bridge offers supportive housing and behavioral health services to vulnerable New Yorkers facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. We provide individuals with the tools they need to pursue their dreams and live meaningful lives. The Bridge envisions a world where adults experiencing serious mental illness can live and thrive within their communities. As a recognized leader in developing and operating supportive housing and community-based programs, The Bridge has 70 years of experience helping New Yorkers with mental illness, including those affected by homelessness, incarceration, and institutionalization. 

Scope of Position: The Licensed Mental Health Counselor will serve as a key member of the Governor’s Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Team, a time-limited, evidence-based program designed to support individuals during critical life transitions. This role focuses on promoting community integration, self-advocacy, and long-term stability by connecting participants to essential resources such as behavioral health care, housing, and benefits. Working collaboratively with hospitals and community partners, the clinician will engage with individuals in inpatient, emergency, and community settings to provide counseling, address social needs, and advocate for those experiencing healthcare inequities. This position involves field-based work, flexible hours, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of homeless and vulnerable New Yorkers.

Essential Position Functions:

• Conduct assertive outreach and engagement using strength-based approaches, starting during inpatient or emergency department visits; collaborate with local hospitals, treatment providers, and family members to identify individuals in need of care; assess participants' health and social needs using CTI’s assessments and risk tools, focusing on those at high risk.
• Participate in hospital discharge planning to connect participants to appropriate community resources; provide after-hours (24-hour) coverage on a rotating basis; offer short-term therapeutic counseling and support pre- and post-discharge; collect and report data to inform future care delivery, working with team leaders and data analysts.
• Resolve clinical issues impacting participants' ability to access and retain community services; build relationships with community providers to ensure appropriate service connections during transitions; assist with appointment navigation, including accompaniment, re-engagement in care, and overcoming barriers.
• Facilitate crisis interventions, referrals, and hospitalizations as needed; conduct psychosocial assessments to determine medical, psychiatric, housing, and social needs; gather historical and collateral information to support participants' health needs; monitor and document participant progress toward care plan goals.
• Attend team meetings and supervisory sessions.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including housing applications and ensuring participants' immediate needs are met.

Qualifications

• Licensed master’s degree or higher in social work, mental health counseling, nursing, or psychology.
• Experience with individuals with SMI, co-occurring SUD, and/or homeless populations is preferred, but not required.
• Knowledge of community and homeless resources is a plus.
• Familiarity with counseling principles for mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Understanding of treatment, rehabilitation, and community support programs for individuals, families, and staff.
• Skills in crisis management, de-escalation, and identifying potentially violent behavior.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and adjust treatment interventions to meet individual needs.
• Strong report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in Health Information Technology and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

The Bridge Inc. is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer