Therapist, Crisis Diversion Center (AM)

Overview

The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is strategically placed in Mobile County with easy access for the area with the highest need and the most frequent use, the midtown/downtown area of Mobile. This Crisis Center operates a 24/7/365 with a full complement of staff to provide crisis de-escalation and resolution no matter the time or the day.

A study of mental health related law enforcement calls shows that, as one of Alabama’s largest cities, Mobile has the highest demand for police and EMS within the I-65/I-165 corridor. Stationing the Diversion Center in this area will allow expeditious access from Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, and Escambia Counties, which will also utilize the Diversion Center. Mobile Metro Jail is the second largest jail in Alabama. The annual number of individuals booked into the jail is just under 20,000. Since the Stepping Up Initiative began last year, all inmates are screened for mental illness and substance use disorders. Last year 6,828 individuals screened positive for serious mental illness. This is a serious over-representation of mentally ill individuals per capita when compared to statistics for the general population. Most individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders are arrested for petty crimes. These individuals could be diverted from arrest with the addition of more Mobile Crisis response and a Behavioral Health Crisis Center. Based on data collected from Crisis Response Team calls, Access to Care, law enforcement, local emergency departments, and a Community Health Needs Assessments, the size and structure of the Crisis Center must consist of a large living room model staffed by peer specialists, an 18 recliner temporary observation unit, and a 6 bed extended observation unit.

Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provides effective clinical assessment of the consumer
• Utilizes assessment data to support a DSM V diagnosis
• Formulates appropriate treatment plan along with consumer and families, as appropriate
• Provides individual, group, and family therapy, utilizing basic therapeutic models and theories according to consumer needs as stated in the treatment plan
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
• Effectively collaborates with the treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of clinical services
• Evaluates the consumer for discharge planning or movement to a less restrictive environment
• Facilitates services that prevent commitment
• Participates in weekend therapist rotation providing group and family counseling, crisis intervention and overseeing on-site consumer visitation facility-wide
• Adheres to professional code of ethics
• Effectively demonstrates the application of adult specific competencies
• Assists with seclusion and restraint per AltaPointe policy and procedures

Supervision and Consultation:

• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance clinical skills

Clinical Record Keeping:

• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
• Documents appropriate, complete, and clinically comprehensive mental health assessments
• Documents measurable and specific goals in the treatment plan
• Documents in a clear and concise manner, types of consumer problems, treatment goals addressed, services, and techniques used
• Documents case disposition, case closings, follow-up and referrals
• Documents legibly

Case Load Management:

• Effectively manages caseload based on consumer needs
• Meets AltaPointe productivity standards

Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers:

• Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences
• Is gentle and calm with consumers and families

Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:

• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumer needs
• Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures
• Maintains current license and requirements for renewals (i.e. CEU’s), if applicable, and attends to required in-services and workshops

Qualifications

Master’s degree in a mental health discipline.

Knowledge in adult specialty, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
• Basic knowledge of the nature of addiction for referral purposes
• Basic knowledge of Senior Adult issues for referral purposes
• Knowledge of person-centered treatment planning
• Knowledge of Safety Plans and Psychiatric Advance Directives
• Knowledge of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Knowledge of Substance Use Disorders
• Knowledge of Housing programs
• Knowledge of VA programs
• Knowledge of area shelters
• Knowledge of Intellectual Disability placement services
• Knowledge of inpatient Substance Abuse services
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practice
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders