Crisis Prevention Specialist

AIMED Human Services

Job Description – Residential Services, Direct Care Service

Title:  Crisis Prevention Specialist
Responsible to: Sr. Admissions and Clinical Officer

General Description of Duties and Responsibilities:

This position requires the person to work as a member of the behavioral team providing residential and community-based crisis prevention and intervention to a wide variety of individuals having various types of disabilities. This position is primarily on site and in the community providing prevention and intervention support to staff and individuals in our high risk behavioral homes. The person will be required to work with other community agencies, including local law enforcement and hospitals, in the prevention of psychiatric hospitalization, detention by law enforcement, and discharge of individuals from state or local psychiatric hospitals. All services must be provided under the general supervision of the Sr. Admission and Clinical Officer and be conducted in accordance with current agency policies and procedures relating to ISP, Behavioral Support Plan, crisis and prescreen

Specific Duties:

1. Will assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of “AIMED Model”-style Crisis Intervention and Stabilization Services.
2. Provides a variety of crisis intervention or crisis prevention services in AIMED community residence, various community locations and hospitals, and support staff during transports to medical appointments, when applicable. 
3. Services provided will include crisis counseling, consultation, pre-admission screening, staff training, de-escalation, crisis prevention/intervention. 
4. Ability to train new and existing staff in effective prevention and intervention methods. Staff training shall include identifying triggers, de-escalation techniques, crisis prevention/intervention methods during orientations and on-site. 
5. Crisis stabilization and incident and outcome report writing in Therap.
6. Act as a member of the crisis team during a crisis in conjunction with the Clinical Specialist.
7. Crisis Specialists are expected to collaborate and liaison with law enforcement officers, local hospitals, medical providers, outpatient clinics, and others in the planning, provision, and evaluation of these services. 
8. Participate in team meetings to ensure the smooth integration and transition of participants into or between various aspects of AIMED service delivery system.
9. Assists in maintaining an up-to-date Crisis Resource Directory. 
10. Understanding of the Individual Service Plans, Behavioral Support Plans, and Restrictive Procedure Plans to ensure all interventions are approved.
11. Provides support, education (onsite), and service coordination to staff and significant others on behalf of individuals who are receiving services from AIMED.
12.  Participates in regular meetings with other members on the clinical team, such as Clinical Specialist and Sr. Admissions and Clinical Officer to coordinate cases and to review intervention outcomes as a means of enhancing the provision of future crisis intervention team services.
13. Produces client-related service records and maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation consistent with agency policies and procedures.
14. Support program team with knowledge, information, coaching and Therap documentation.
15. Must be available for crisis calls outside of normal business hours.
16. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor which are consistent with the position and in compliance with agency policies and procedures.  

Qualifications:

Considerable knowledge of adult, adolescent, and geriatric IDD, mental health, and autism. Knowledge of Evidence Based Practices, skills, and techniques for treatment of individuals for the purposes of crisis prevention and intervention. Knowledge of Trauma informed Care. Knowledge of medication used in treatment of psychiatric disorders, working knowledge of community systems, and Allegheny County DHS of Developmental Supports. Working knowledge of community systems, resources, and inter-agency networking; basic knowledge of voluntary and involuntary admission to state facilities, including local jails or correctional facilities.

Demonstrated ability to be flexible regarding work assignments; work effectively as a part of a team; collaborate, consult, and liaison with community agencies; assess needs and develop appropriate intervention; ability to remain calm and reassuring in crisis situations and to intervene appropriately; to assist in evaluating and accessing available resources and work effectively with the team and community; to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; to accurately prepare and maintain participant records and write reports and summaries; to exercise professional judgment.

1. The minimum professional qualifications for Crisis Prevention Specialist are a bachelor’s degree in human services and 3 years’ experience in clinical services. An associate’s degree and 5 years of Human Service work experience.
2. Mandatory MANDT training.
3. Good working relations with co-workers, reliable, and flexible.
4. Medication Administration certification.
5. Autonomy – ability to work without immediate supervision.
6. Interpersonal sensitivity (objective awareness of others, tactful interaction, ease in establishing limits).
7. Insight and the ability to articulate it.
8. Strong teamwork and cooperation
9. Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a van.
10. Must have reliable transportation.
11. Good verbal and written communication skills.
12. Crisis prevention intervention certification as train-the-trainer (i.e. nonviolent crisis intervention, positive approach, etc)
13. CPR, First Aid and AED.
14. Must be 18 years old or older.
15. Must clear ACT 33, 34 and 73 (criminal clearance).

       AIMED is an equal opportunity employer