Crisis Specialist I

Overview

Provides direct crisis intervention services to adults, children, and families in the community as part of the Mobile Crisis Response team.  Presents to the scene of crisis in the community, conducts mental health crisis assessments, de-escalates crisis situations, and assesses level of suicide/harm risk for persons experiencing mental health crises.  Provides crisis intervention and stabilization services promoting mental health treatment in the least restrictive setting by coordinating care to outpatient resources or assisting with inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.  When inpatient hospitalization is needed, ensures necessary legal paperwork is accurately completed. Completes paperwork per agency/setting policies and requirements of funding sources. Ensures continuity of care for high risk persons suffering from mental illness through direct clinical intervention, monitoring, and advocacy functions.  Seeks consultation with the supervisor when needed.  Develops a healthy and safe disposition plan with clients.

Employee will adhere to the Memorial Health System (MHS) Code of Conduct, the MHS Ethics and Corporate Compliance Plan, MBH policies and procedures, as well as performance standards established by the governing board/administration and accrediting bodies.

Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or closely related human service field from an accredited university or meets the “Mental Health Professional” designation as determined by the Department of Human Services
• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or closely related human services field from an accredited university is preferred

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Valid IL driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance are required.
• Ability to pass background check and drug test required.
• Must have or obtain CPR, First Aid, and Personal Safety certifications within 45 days from date of hire.

Responsibilities

• Develop initial preliminary assessment data including clients’ presenting problems, mental status, relevant psychiatric, medical and developmental histories to make decisions regarding diagnosis (according to DSM-V) and/or to provide information and make appropriate referrals to other treatment resources in the community.
• Provide direct service crisis intervention to individuals in the community.
• Utilize both in-person and Telehealth responses to conduct assessments of clients presenting in the community.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, EMS, and other community providers to assist in providing timely crisis intervention in the location where the crisis event is occurring.
• Implement crisis or pre-crisis intervention procedures with potentially suicidal, homicidal, or severely disabled clients.
• Coordinate inpatient hospitalization with Psychiatric Response Team.
• Coordinate referrals to inpatient and outpatient levels of care for emergency psychiatric assessments.
• Interview collateral contacts, previous and current treatment professionals, and significant others, as needed, to further assess appropriate plan of care.

• Complete required administrative and legal paperwork (such as: voluntary and involuntary paperwork, Case Openings, SMI/SED, Crisis forms, etc).
• Collect necessary information for billing and fee collection.
• Provide necessary client information to other agencies or health care providers to coordinate services to identified clients.
• Document assessments so as to be entered into the client’s EHR at MBH.
• Assist with functions of inpatient psychiatric admission.

• Manager and employee mutually identify professional goals, which will enhance job related skills.
• Participate in ongoing agency meetings, committees, and special projects to enhance professional expertise.
• Attend and participate in mandatory monthly clinical supervision with manager as required by the IL Department of Human Services.
• Complete all mandatory education requirements by specified deadlines.
• Participate in required staff meetings and in-service meetings to keep abreast of agency policy and administrative procedures, meet requirements for continuing education, and upgrade professional knowledge.

• Engage in appropriate team work functions (such as mutual support, clarification of office responsibilities and procedures) according agency policy to provide a professional working environment and effective service delivery.
• Meet with manager to complete mandatory monthly clinical supervision as required by the IL Department of Human Services.

• SAFETY: I put safety first in everything I do.  I speak up, without fear on matters of patient and colleague safety.  I take action to create an environment of zero harm.
• INTEGRITY: I respect others and show compassion.  I behave honestly and ethically.  I am accountable for my attitude, actions and health
• QUALITY: I advance my knowledge and skills.  I seek continuous improvement.  I deliver evidence-based care that leads to excellence in outcomes
• STEWARDSHIP: I use resources wisely and maintain financial stability.  We work together to coordinate care and services across the health system. We promote healthier communities

• Communicate directly with manager for clinical supervision, clarification of agency policy, and program evaluation to promote a professional working environment and effective service delivery system.
• In absence of immediate manager, will reach out to Director for clinical supervision.
• Adhere to MHS/MBH Behavioral Standards.

• Respond to requests for service from the community and link to appropriate clinic program or outside agencies.
• Participate in On Call Rotation and assist manager in ensuring coverage of open shifts as needed
• Perform other duties as required by agency needs.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.