Position Summary:

The Associate Director of CARE Support and Intervention (CSI) is a key leader within Student Care Coordination (SCC) responsible for managing the CSI Team operations and providing supervision for CSI staff. Reporting to the Director of Student Care Coordination, the Associate Director will be an integral leader in Vanderbilt’s Crisis Assessment, Evaluation, and Response (CARE) Team and Welfare Panels, and routinely coordinate with all entities of the Student Care Network, Student Affairs staff, academic units, and other relevant departments to address the needs of students and maintain regular contact with students and their parents, as needed.

The Associate Director will provide triage, crisis intervention, care management, and support for students with elevated concerns, serious mental health challenges, students who may pose a potential or actual threat to themselves and/or others in the community, and students with other high acuity needs. They will work individually with students and consider unique aspects of identity to determine appropriate treatment plans and help coordinate follow-up for students. The Associate Director will support students in accessing on and off-campus resources and services, planning and setting goals related to their care, continuing with the appropriate level of care, as needed, and/or re-entering the University after a medical leave of absence. Additionally, individuals in this position will assist with administrative operations, outreach, education, and training opportunities for the campus community (students, staff, and faculty), hiring initiatives and training of new staff, and maintenance of a network of community providers to supplement on campus services.

About the Work Unit:

Student Care Coordination fosters wellbeing and success by identifying concerns and coordinating support for students facing life events that may interfere with their academic and personal goals using a proactive, collaborative, and student-centered approach. Our team of Student Care Coordinators is the central and first point of contact for students to help identify needs and determine the most appropriate resources in Vanderbilt’s Student Care Network and in the Nashville community to address concerns. Student Care Coordinators collaborate with students to develop a student success plan, share education about and facilitate connections to appropriate on and off-campus resources, and provide accountability through supportive follow up meetings. Student Care Coordinators work closely with campus partners, including the Center for Student Wellbeing, the University Counseling Center, the Student Health Center, the Office of Housing and Residential Education, and faculty and staff to help maintain the safety and health of Vanderbilt students.

About Student Affairs

Student Affairs serves a central role in student learning and development at Vanderbilt, advancing the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service by fostering academic and social networks through which students develop as intentional learners and global citizens. Student Affairs creates opportunities to involve students, faculty and staff in diverse learning communities and provides a critical support structure for enriching the overall student experience. We achieve these ends through strategic alignment, both internally and in concert with other university departments. We care deeply. We educate completely. We lead with excellence. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and mental health are top priorities for the institution and by extension the offices of Student Affairs. Our staff are committed to continued growth in knowledge, awareness, skills, and experience engaging with these priorities in a higher education environment.

Core Functions and Expected Performance:

Leadership and Oversight:

• Assist the Director to provide leadership for CSI Team, including recruiting, hiring, and training CSI staff, administrative staff, and any Graduate Assistants or other student workers.

• Help to develop and maintain clear office protocols and policies to ensure services provided to students, faculty, and staff are consistent, efficient, and effective.

• Supervise professional staff by providing clear performance expectations, effective and on-going feedback, regular and annual evaluations, and professional development opportunities to ensure staff understand expectations and are successful in fulfilling their job functions.

• Assist the Director in the professional development and team building of staff to improve performance and culture of collaboration within a multidisciplinary setting.

• Maintain an understanding of departmental financial policies and assist with financial operations for the SCC.

• Assists in the preparation of all reports, including annual reporting, and special reports to administrators at Vanderbilt University.

  CARE Support and Intervention Team:

• Provide leadership for a team of specialized care coordinators who will work individually with students of concern in accessing on and off-campus resources and services, including higher levels of care, planning and setting goals related to their care, and/or re-entering the University after a hospitalization and/or medical leave of absence.

• Provide critical support for the Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) Team and Welfare Panel to coordinate ongoing support for students of concern in an effort to ensure health, wellbeing, and safety.

• Participate as a member of a rotating group for Welfare Panels, prepare historical and relevant information prior to meetings, attend and contribute to meetings, and co-facilitate meetings with students to share Welfare Panel recommendations.

• Participate in training for and complete risk assessments using the WAVR-21 - Workplace (and Campus) Assessment of Violence Risk, as needed.

• Provide support for the Response Team in the event of a student death, which may include but is not limited to, coordinating campus support spaces, identifying, coordinating and/or providing support for closely impacted students, and monitoring need for ongoing resources.

• Prepare relevant reports for and lead weekly meetings related to students of concern so that information is distributed accurately and campus partners are well-informed.

• Track progress of all incoming referrals, inquiries, and student of concern reports to ensure timely response to concerns and accurate reporting and documentation. Collaborate closely with the Director, Assistant Director of Care in Residential Education, Assistant Academic Deans, and other campus partners to determine a supportive plan for follow up with students of concern.

• Review and approve requests for Dean's notifications and medical underload and communicate appropriately with Academic partners.

• Develop intervention strategies to ensure student safety through collaboration with the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital and other community providers, as appropriate, to ensure positive student outcomes, a smooth transition to outside care, and/or a seamless discharge/transition back to campus for students.

• Maintain a small caseload of high acuity students, which may include but is not limited to students with chronic suicidality, severe mental health diagnoses, and/or behavioral concerns, provide appropriate ongoing follow up with students of concern, and their families or emergency contacts as necessary, in person or by phone/email for continuity of care and accountability and to evaluate successes, barriers, and/or gaps in support.

• Manage the process for students returning from Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA), to include review of documentation and decision-making, to ensure procedural compliance and appropriateness for return, consulting with Director, as needed.

• Advise staff and faculty members on how to manage complex student issues so that the community feels supported in responding to challenging situations and providing students with the most appropriate care.

• Develop, implement, and collaborate with members of the University community on educational efforts pertaining to students of concern to promote holistic support for students and further the mission and strategic priorities of the SCC and Student Affairs.

• Respond to after hours or weekend emergencies on a limited basis to ensure continuous support for students.

• Manage staff who will oversee community relationships and update the Community Provider database which enables SCN staff to make more accurate and efficient off-campus referrals.

  Care Coordination:

• Complete intake assessments with undergraduate, graduate and professional students identified on the CARE list and/or who present with elevated concerns to fully understand their needs and develop Student Success Plans with students to encourage realistic goals and identify potential support resources.

• Communicate effectively with students, families, the general public, and others to address concerns and resolve issues while maintaining privacy regarding sensitive information.

• Be knowledgeable about and connect students with appropriate support services on and off-campus to help foster their wellbeing and success.

• Build relationships with and maintain a network of community providers and resources that meet the needs (medical, financial, and otherwise) of the student population so that off-campus referrals can be made intentionally and successfully.

• Respond to after hours or weekend emergencies on a limited basis to ensure continuous support for students.

  Other Duties:

• Serve on divisional committees and working groups to enrich the experience and resources available to staff across the division.

• Participate in division wide events as needed to support colleagues and ensure these events run smoothly.

• Learn and comply with institutional and departmental financial policies related to areas such as travel, procurement, expense, and time reporting to ensure compliance and proper stewardship of university resources.

• Engage in professional development to remain abreast of trends in higher education, student mental health, substance use, and wellbeing to ensure practices are both relevant and evidenced-based.

• Demonstrate a willingness to support colleagues across the division in order to encourage the implementation or fulfillment of divisional goals and strategic priorities.

  Supervisory Relationships:

  This position has supervisory responsibility for at least two Care Support Specialists and an administrative staff member and/or any Graduate Assistants or other student workers; this position reports to the Director of Student Care Coordination.

  Education and Certifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Counseling from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.

• A Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling from an accredited institution of higher education and relevant licensure is strongly preferred. (A Master’s degree in related mental health field or relevant higher education area may also be considered)

• Possession of an appropriate license (LCSW, LPC, LMFT) or case management certification is preferred.

  Experience and Skills:

• At least three years of experience or equivalent is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience working with individuals in crisis, individuals with acute mental health needs, supervising staff, creating behavioral intervention plans, care coordination, and/or in a psychiatric hospital setting is preferred.

• Demonstrated skill in written and oral communication, including public speaking and group meeting facilitation is preferred.

• Strong organizational skills and self-motivation are preferred.

• Minimum of 2 years of outreach and community engagement experience in a higher ed or equivalent setting is preferred.

• Advanced knowledge of care management, risk assessment, and counseling techniques is preferred.

• Experience supervising professional staff is preferred.

• Ability to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds attending highly selective institutions with a broad range of campus groups, departments, and organizations is preferred.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.