Crisis Co-Responder Specialist

Job Number: 459

Location: Midland

Supervises: N

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Division: MH

Salary:  $20.65 per hour. Sign on bonus may be available.

Shift: Rotating M-F 8am - 4pm, 4pm - 12am; on call

Driving required: Y

Travel required: Y

Settings: office, field

POSITION SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

The Crisis Co-Responder Specialist will be the behavioral health expert on the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) that includes local law enforcement. The CCRS provides prevention and intervention services for individuals who chronically use emergency services to ensure their access to behavioral health care and to reduce the risk of law enforcement and justice system involvement. The CCSR is responsible for continuity of care following stabilization in the community, hospital transport, or emergency detention.

This position works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required:  A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in psychology, social work, medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, counseling, sociology, human growth and development, physician assistance, gerontology, special education, educational psychology, early childhood education or early childhood intervention or a bachelor's degree with at least 30 hours of coursework in the previous fields.

Experience Required:  At least 1 year experience in mental health or criminal justice field preferred.

Registration, Certification, Licensure or other Qualifications Required: 

• Must maintain a valid Texas Driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to PermiaCare's insurance requirements.
• Required to pass criminal history and background checks as well as pre-employment drug screen.
• Must obtain QMHP certification within 6 months.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Respond to 911, Avail or MCOT calls within 1 hour with assigned CIT officer.
• Determine individual status pre-deployment by obtaining current or historical info available in the EMR.
• Perform crisis assessment on individuals who do not have an active ACT Case Manager.
• Determine appropriate level of care and, if appropriate, accompany officers transporting individuals to the ER or psychiatric facility.
• Provide follow up with individuals and coordinate support with collateral contacts.
• Confirm PermiaCare appointment has been scheduled and provide continuity of care until actively enrolled in PermiaCare services.
• Track and record all calls, performed assessments, outcomes and follow-ups.
• Provide monthly report on reporting measures.
• Meet unit performance measures or targets.
• Maintain assigned caseload of individuals with mental illness.
• Coordinate services to designated caseload.
• Enter accurate and appropriate documentation of services within timeframe required.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and treatment information, client files and protected health information in compliance with HIPAA, laws, rules and regulations, and established procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable physical on-site attendance. Regular attendance, dependability, and promptness are required for the scheduled work day 100% of the time, to ensure consistency and completeness of program's processes.
• Comply with the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation policy and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior policy requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with individuals served and their families, supervisors, co-workers and visitors by demonstrating cooperative, courteous and respectful behavior at all times.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor.
• Open and process mail/email in a timely manner.
• Answer phone, collect phone messages and respond to requests timely and accurately.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
• Perform all work functions and interactions using a trauma informed approach.
• Display professionalism when representing PermiaCare and the program in the community.
• Maintain compliance with legal requirements and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain valid and current driver's license, auto insurance, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation at all times. Driving may be required for this position.
• Complete all training as assigned prior to due date.
• Other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are not designated as essential for the purposes of ADA; they are still required duties):

• Fill in for other MH as needed.
• Ensure copies of Crisis Assessments are on hand at all times.
• Ensure copies of the Resources Guides and PermiaCare contact information is on hand at all times.
• Provide translation, if applicable.
• Participate in team meetings and/or staffings.
• Participate in community activities and/or attends community meetings as needed.
• Participate in workgroups and committees as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced knowledge of mental illness and treatment.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
• Ability to handle stressful and emotionally charged situations while remaining calm and professional.
• Ability to provide emotional support to individuals.
• Advanced knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability to protect confidentiality.
• Effective multi-tasking skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Welcoming, positive behavior.
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing
• Effective time management skills.
• Exceptional customer service skills, including positive attitude.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Trauma informed.
• Flexibility and adaptability to different work environments.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Reading and comprehending.
• Reasoning and analyzing.
• Ability to coordinate with various inter-agency personnel.
• Ability to fulfill PMAB and CPR/First Aid requirements
• Ability to work independently
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to build rapport with individuals including co-workers.
• Ability to display comfort in interacting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminal justice organizations, as needed.
• Ability to acquire and utilize new skills as the job requires.
• Ability to work cooperatively and productively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons at all levels of activity, contributing to a spirit of teamwork.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision.
• Model professionalism by appropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.
• Ability to drive personal and/or company vehicle.  This position may require travel to agency program sites, community and residential sites, and/or locations outside the PermiaCare catchment area.  This position may require transport of agency individuals and/or individuals served.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Abilities Required:

• Light Lifting, under 15 lbs
• Light Carrying, under 15 lbs
• Walking
• Standing
• Sitting
• Operating office equipment
• Operating motor vehicle
• Ability to see
• Hearing (with aid)
• Ability to write
• Ability to count
• Ability to read
• Ability to tell time

Other (specify):  driving required. May require some travel after hours and overnight.

WORKSITE CONDITIONS:

• Travel
• Inside
• Outside
• Working closely with others
• Working alone

ADA Statement:  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EEO Statement:  PermiaCare is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties, activities or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, activities and responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. This job description does not constitute an employment contract with PermiaCare.  Employment is at-will. 

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