Clinical Team Lead - MH Crisis Response (SCRT)

Job Overview

We are looking for motivated and passionate clinicians looking to make an impact in their community to join a new Street Crisis Response Team in San Francisco! The Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT) is an innovative co-responder model responding to triaged 911 calls for non-violent, behavioral health issues in San Francisco, as an alternative to police response. Since November 2020, six teams have launched, responding to calls citywide.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2021/04/02/go-there-mental-health-911-chris-james-dpweekend.cnn

https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/inside-look-at-street-crisis-team-in-san-francisco-making-strides-toward-police-reform-102061125886

https://sfmayor.org/article/san-franciscos-new-street-crisis-response-team-launches-today

The SCRT Clinical Team Lead will play a crucial role in helping to coordinate the behavioral health assessment and crisis response for those in psychiatric and substance-induced distress in San Francisco. The SCRT aims to avoid harm to the individual in crisis by intervening in person-centered and trauma-informed ways to avoid further escalation and attend to the immediate needs of the person in crisis. This will be done by treating each person in crisis with the utmost dignity and respect, as well as an active participant in their own de-escalation process and reestablishment of personal safety. The Clinical Team Lead role will be a 12-hour shift, three to four days per week. Clinical Team Leads work in collaboration with the SCRT Clinical Supervisors to ensure at least one is available over the phone throughout all shifts worked by the SCRT Clinicians. Clinical Team Leads also participate in the field as clinicians, train and shadow other clinicians in the field, and may work in place of a clinician who is on vacation or unable to report for their shift.

The first of its kind in San Francisco, the SCRT which is comprised of a SFFD Paramedic, a Behavioral Health Clinician and a Peer Counselor will respond to calls of suicide and self-harm, including assisting individuals who present as disoriented, delusional and/or exhibiting symptoms of intoxication. The team will be mobile throughout the shift, in an ADA-accessible SFFD van available to transport the team and people to other resources after de-escalation has occurred. In addition to behavioral health assessment and de-escalation, the SCRT is qualified to provide basic medical treatment (such as wound care, prevention of infection) to reduce the need for hospitalization and decrease the chances of furthering mental health decompensation. Depending on the level of care needed, individuals may be escorted to a hospital, shelter or to a safer location as applicable to their health needs.

This role is a full-time position with benefits, and includes both in the field (in person) and off-site work. Clinical Team Leads will have access to the COVID-19 vaccine upon hire. The Clinical Team Lead works 3-4 12-hour shifts per week.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively in 12 hour shifts as part of a co-responder model team to address non-violent, behavioral health crisis calls triaged by the city’s 911 system and/or a dedicated 800 number provided to the public, as an alternative to police response.
• Share responsibility with other Clinical Team Leads and Clinical Supervisors to maintain immediate availability to consult, problem solve, and answer questions by phone to provide supervision to other clinicians providing direct crisis response in real time.
• Participate in and assist with facilitation of group supervision with members of the Street Crisis Response Team.
• Learn and utilize the Trauma Stewardship model for coping with burnout and compassion fatigue among members of the SCRT.
• Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, gender-responsive, harm reduction, and person-centered mental health and substance use crisis assessment, intervention, de-escalation, and appropriate follow up as part of the SCRT, specifically for individuals experiencing non-violent, behavioral health crisis in San Francisco.
• Deftly assess for and instruct others to assess for suicidality, homicidal intent, violence risk, grave disability, and substance use using appropriate measurements, including C-SRRS, Mini Mental Status Exam, and others.
• Train and shadow other clinicians in the field and provide feedback on their clinical work.
• Show competency in use of Narcan for opioid overdose reversal.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of DSM V diagnostic criteria, particularly for substance use, PTSD/Acute Stress, psychotic, panic, bipolar, mood, and personality disorders.
• Obtain SFDPH 5150 Certification so that in situations that warrant it, initiate a 5150 psychiatric hold by properly assessing and documenting per SFDPH protocol, as well as waiting safely while calling and awaiting transport.

Team Member Responsibilities:

• Work with other team members and person in crisis in quickly assessing the needs of individuals experiencing mental health crisis; and to create a response plan in collaboration with the other SCRT members and person in crisis.
• Practice self-awareness and cultural humility as member of diverse team; be conscientious and sensitive to power and other interpersonal dynamics with other team members.
• Demonstrate strong ability to remain calm and attentive during crises,as well as to deftly advise on several separate crises during a single shift.
• Demonstrate a high level of resilience and self-care as part of maintaining wellness in a high crisis and first responder position.

Administrative, Training, and Documentation Responsibilities:

• Maintain timely and thorough administrative and service documentation and records related to client care and program-related monitoring, in accordance to standards specified by HR360 policies and oversight agencies (e.g. DPH, etc.).
• Complete all live and online trainings in timely and thorough manner to form strong foundation for clinical work. Trainings will include street crisis de-escalation, trauma informed care, Motivational Interviewing, ethical boundaries, confidentiality, first aid, CPR, COVID-19 precautions, and others.

Education and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

 Education and Experience Required:

• Licensure (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC) or registration (ASW, AMFT, APCC) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology.
• Minimum three years of experience providing behavioral health services in a public health, community mental health, crisis services, or other setting serving people who are unhoused.
• First Aid certified within 30 days of employment.
• CPR certified within 30 days of employment.
• Must be able/willing to work outside during most of shifts, travel in van with others between crises, and physically move frequently during shift.
• Must be able to travel to and from worksite and other locations within San Francisco.
• Ability to work with and honor a highly diverse community served, as well as SCRT team members, while showing humility and openness.
• Willingly open to learn and understand different perspectives, as well as show self-awareness around race, gender, class, sexual orientation, lived experience, and other important attributes.

Desired:

• Bilingual in San Francisco threshold language.

Background Clearance Required:

• Ability to obtain and maintain background clearance with successful discharge from probation or parole.

Please attach scan or photo of BBS/BOP credentials to application and list three professional references on resume or cover letter.

In compliance with the California Department of Public Health's mandate, all employees must be able to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Medical and religious exemptions are available.

Tag: IND100.