It’s difficult to know what to say to people who arrive late in our clinic hours, say they come at 2:50 and clinic closes at 3.
Let’s NOT say we can’t see them! Here’s an attempt at further clarification.
At Walk-In, clients always come first. And how long to see them is really up to the counselor and his/her assessment of the clients’ needs. Some guidelines. . .
If a client is in an emotional crisis and needs to be screened for suicide, other self-harm, harm to others, etc., please see them as long as it takes to assess their status and determine/implement next steps. You might want to consult with or get help from your Team Consultant or the team.
Hennepin County COPE or Ramsey County Adult Urgent Care could also be a good resource for consultation. A joint phone call to COPE or Urgent Care (the client and you together) allows the client to experience these resources first hand, and you can hear and be a part of the discussion.
The protocol for suicide and psych emergencies in east and west metro is in the Volunteer Handbook: Section IV.a.
Basically, no client is guaranteed an hour during a walk-in clinic. If a client brings a big issue that could take some time sorting out, but there are no red flags for harm, you might suggest that we can be available to them more extensively at a different time, perhaps through an appointment to come back, or at the beginning of (even a few minutes before it opens) or half way through a regular walk-in clinic.
Team consultation is important, but the immediate needs of clients are, too. So see clients appropriately during and at the end of clinic, even if you have to skip some of consultation.