Director of Emergency Services at UNITED COUNSELING SERVICE OF BENNINGTON COUNTY INC – Bennington, Vermont

Description: Why join UCS?Since 1958, United Counseling Service (UCS) has been dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to individuals and families in our community. Through a wide range of programs, services, and educational opportunities, we strive to meet the diverse needs of those we serve. Our team includes professionals from various fields, including administration, clinical services, nursing, education, case management, psychiatry, and direct support, working across 17 facilities throughout Bennington County.As a proud affiliate of Vermont Care Partners—a statewide network of 16 non-profit community-based agencies—we deliver comprehensive mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental services across Vermont. We are currently seeking compassionate, motivated team players to join us in making a positive impact and building a stronger community.

UCS Offers Generous Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Generous paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career development opportunities
• Free clinical supervision towards licensure
• Loan repayment and tuition assistance program
• Award winning worksite wellness program
• An inclusive workplace supported by an active Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee.
• Rewarding experience making a difference in the community.

We believe a dynamic and inclusive workforce will strengthen our organization and enhance the services we provide. Therefore, it is our goal to hire a diverse workforce and cultivate a culture where our employees feel accepted and included, hold a valued place within our organization and are equally able to contribute to their fullest extent, assisting in fulfilling our mission of building a stronger community.
Under the direction of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the Director of Emergency Services provides day-to-day operational leadership for UCS mental health and substance use crisis services, ensuring safe, timely, and compliant crisis response across settings (phone, mobile, community, emergency department, and in coordination with law enforcement and partner agencies). This position is primarily administrative (approximately 75%), with responsibility for program operations, staffing/scheduling, supervision, workflow oversight, documentation and billing compliance, quality improvement, and interdepartmental/community coordination to support effective service delivery in alignment with UCS policies and Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH) requirements, including the Mental Health Provider Manual. The remaining approximately 25% of the role is dedicated to direct clinical services, including crisis assessment, brief intervention, consultation, and support for complex/high-risk presentations, as well as clinical guidance to Emergency Clinicians and Battelle House operations as needed. The Director supports hiring, onboarding, performance management, and staff development to maintain consistent coverage and high-quality crisis care.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
DIRECT CLINICAL SERVICES: Actively manages program requirements and activities with approximately 25% of time dedicated to direct clinical work. Oversees the daily workflow of the program and associated functions. Participates in the quality improvement and assurance activities including tracking and reporting on quality measures and staff KPIs throughout the program. Assists support staff in triaging crisis calls and determining the appropriate response (mobile, phone, law enforcement, and emergency department). Coordinates staff in providing assessment and brief, solution-focused counseling to individuals and families with mental health and/or substance use crises. Services may include individual, family, and group critical incident debriefing. Ensure staff coordinates services with other agencies and providers and facilitates appropriate referrals for other services when necessary. May provide specialized assessment/screening services based on professional concentration and training, i.e., psychological testing, substance use evaluations, etc.
CONSULTATION, EDUCATION, AND CLINICAL SUPERVISION: Provides mental health and/or substance use consultation and education to the community at large, area agencies, the professional community, and/or schools as required. Consultation can be educational or evaluative in nature. Specific areas of consultation/education are based on clinician's areas of expertise or interest. Provides liaison services among community agencies to coordinate services to clients. Creates and maintains monthly work schedules for clinical staff. Manage and coordinate programmatic tasks. Provide supervision to Emergency Clinicians as needed.
CLINICAL CASE MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SUPPORT: Provides concurrent case management services on an as needed basis. These services may include service coordination with other agencies and services; collateral contacts with other family members or significant others in client’s life; telephone support to clients or collaterals; social support services for locating, developing, or providing care services; or treatment planning session. Works with Battelle House Manager to determine appropriate referrals and admissions to Battelle House and provide support and clinical guidance to Crisis Support staff when needed.
CLINICAL RECORD-KEEPING: Initiates and maintains, in a timely and thorough manner, the wide variety of record keeping and administrative documentation required to account for our services to clients. Such work includes, but is not limited to, client specific assessments, case services and progress notes, time sheets, schedules, billing reports to third party payors, and assigned periodic reports. The Director of Emergency Services will ensure that all Emergency Clinician documentation is completed in a thorough and timely manner and in accordance with internal processes and procedures as well as the Mental Health Provider Manual written and mandated by the Vermont Department of Mental Health (DMH).
ADMINISTRATIVE, AGENCY, AND CLINICAL TEAM MEETINGS: Attends and actively participates in the necessary coordinative, administrative, and clinical meetings designed to inform, problem solve, and coordinate services and programs. The Director of Emergency Services will evaluate, maintain, and create departmental processes and procedures as needed and in compliance with internal, DMH, and DAIL regulations.
* In addition to the above, performs other duties as assigned.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field.
• Two years’ related work experience is preferred.
• Licensure or eligible to pursue licensure in Vermont as Social Worker, Psychologist, or Mental Health Professional is required.
• Qualified Mental Health Professional Certification must be obtained within 1 year of start date.
• 5-10 years of supervisory experience preferred.

Requirements: