Crisis Clinician

General Summary

Under the direction and supervision of the Supervisor, Crisis Services, the Crisis Clinician conducts unscheduled crisis intervention activities for the purpose of resolving a situation that involves a crisis which requires immediate attention.  The Crisis Clinician provides culturally competent and trauma-informed services to all consumers in need of crisis intervention while incorporating LifeWays’ mission, vision, and values into the decision-making process. 

Essential Functions

Team:

1. Receives and responds to calls from the crisis line (or other means of request), and coordinates activities of others to ensure response time within guidelines.
2. Serves as the team leader when responding to a situation with Mobile Crisis Aides, or Peer Support Specialists.
3. Conducts crisis/risk assessments and determines risks and chooses appropriate intervention to address and reduce the risk.
4. Documents assessment of crisis, intervention and follow up in the electronic medical record.
5. Develops safety plans and ensures warm hand offs of consumers to appropriate providers/services.
6. Promotes the safety and emotional stability of individuals with mental illness or experiencing emotional crises.
7. Uses clinical skills to minimize further deterioration of individuals, couples, families in crisis.
8. Assists individuals in developing and/or enhancing better coping skills and a natural support system.

Specific:

1. Works with primary case holder to addend the Individual Plan of Service (IPOS) meeting and provides brief intensive individual and family counseling until ongoing services are in place.
2. Provides the consumer/guardian with ideas and techniques that will assist with skill building to help handle situations more appropriately. Skills include coping skills, anger management, communication, crisis de-escalation. 
3. Consults and arranges with the psychiatrist for urgent medication management evaluations.
4. Assists individuals in crisis to obtain appropriate care, treatment, and follow up care.
5. Encourages services in the least intensive or restrictive setting that is clinically appropriate to meet the individual’s needs.
6. Maintains contact with all staff/providers providing services for the purpose of monitoring and care coordination.
7. Must be able to safely perform all aspects of the Safety Care crisis intervention model, which includes therapeutic de-escalation skills, as well as therapeutic holds.
8. Collaborates with psychiatric hospitals to secure placement for individuals requiring inpatient hospitalization.

General:

1. Informs the community of Crisis Team services available.
2. Performs all duties as assigned to ensure the Crisis Team runs efficiently and effectively.
3. Performs duties in a variety of settings to include but not limited to: the office, community locations, emergency departments, schools, consumer homes, and jails.
4. Works a non-traditional schedule which may include evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
5. Provides on-call services, as needed, or assigned.
6. Maintain regular and predictable attendance.

NOTES:  The lists of essential and additional functions are not exhaustive.  They may be supplemented as necessary from time to time.

Any and all Essential Functions are subject to educational, licensure and certification requirements.

Informatics – The ability to use information technology to support and improve integrated healthcare. Examples include using electronic health records efficiently and effectively; employing computer and web-based screening, assessment, and intervention tools; utilizing telehealth applications; and safeguarding privacy and confidentiality.

Job Specifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Michigan’s community mental health (CMH) system; minimum of three years’ experience working with CMH populations.
• Knowledge of current practices, methods, and procedures in the delivery of behavioral health services, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Knowledge of credentialing status to perform duties within their scope.
• Knowledge and understanding of all regulations, contract requirements, standards applicable to performance of duties.
• Working knowledge of resources, including but not limited to: Diagnostic Criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Medicaid Provider Manual, LifeWays Provider Manual, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), International Classification of Diseases (ICD), LifeWays Policies and Procedures, LifeWays Provider Newsletter/Communications, Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR), and departmental processes.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders (consumers, professionals, community members).
• Skill in concurrent/collaborative documentation of services.
• Excellent time management skills in a setting with potential frequent interruptions; ability to coordinate multiple concurrent duties and perform tasks in an organized and timely manner, with attention to detail.
• Experience with basic data analytics and proficiency/intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access) and other relatable software (Power BI, etc.); and internet applications, including Electronic Medical Record. Ability to navigate LifeWays Intranet.

Abilities

• Ability to maintain credentialed status to perform duties.
• Ability to work in high-pressure, high-stress situations and a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work a non-traditional schedule which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as needed to ensure appropriate oversight of departments. 
• Ability to respond within established time limits during work hours and when performing on call duties. 
• Ability to use good judgement to arrive at sound clinical decisions.
• Ability to learn quickly, ability to adjust to changes in job assignment, methods, personnel, or surroundings.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.

Required Education/Certification/Licensure

• Crisis Clinician I licensed bachelor’s social worker, or limited-licensed bachelor’s social worker acting within their scope of practice and supervised by a Mental Health Professional who is a licensed master's social worker.
• Crisis Clinician II: Master’s degree.  Limited Licensed Masters Social Worker (LLMSW), Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC), Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP).
• Crisis Clinician III:  Master’s degree.  Fully Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW), Fully Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Fully Licensed Psychologist (LP).
• Crisis Clinician IV:  Master’s degree.  Fully Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW), Fully Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Fully Licensed Psychologist (LP) and is Certified  in Crisis Intervention.
• Must possess a valid U.S. motor vehicle operator’s license, and successfully complete motor vehicle record check.

Note:  to work with children must meet qualifications as a CMHP per the MDHHS provider guidelines.

Preferred Education/Certification/Licensure

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC).
• CIT Train the Trainer Certification
• Certification in Licensing Supervision training course which includes standards of practice. 
• Board certified in respective field of counseling through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), or completion of Clinical Advanced Practice Specialty Credentials identified through National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity.

Salary : $56,159 - $75,263