CRISIS COUNSELOR

The Health and Human Services Department is seeking a Crisis Counselor to join their team in the 
Acute Psychiatric Services branch.

Under direction, develops therapeutic interventions, treatment recommendations, dispositions and referral services to groups or individuals with acute, severe or chronic problems related to emotional or mental crisis or substance abuse for the Human Services Department.

Sutter County is looking for high performing professionals with excellent verbal and written communication skills who maintain poise in the midst of evaluating and assisting persons in acute psychiatric emergency; ability to apply interventions to reduce risk and promote safety.  Seeking candidates who have a basic understanding of Welfare and Institutions Code 5150; have knowledge, education and experience related to behavioral health, substance use and psychiatric emergency services; are personable, resilient, possess quick mental reflexes and have the potential to learn and grow professionally working within the framework of an award-winning, multidisciplinary team of professionals. 

This position is 30 hours/week and will be eligible for medical insurance benefits.

This is an Extra Help position, which is hired on an as-needed basis. Qualifying applicants from this recruitment may be considered for current and future vacancies. Please note that you will not be contacted regarding this extra help application unless there is an extra help opportunity for which you are being considered. 

Learn about our broad range of services by visiting our website at:  Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health | Sutter County, CA 

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill any future opening(s), including Part-Time and Extra Help, in this class for up to six months.

NOTICE: All correspondences, notices and invitations to test and/or interview will be via e-mail through Governmentjobs.com/NEOGOV. Please be sure to set-up your inbox to receive them or check your junk-mail to make sure you are receiving Sutter County's recruitment communications. You may also view all correspondences by logging in to your governmentjobs.com profile and clicking on the mail symbol on the top right corner.  


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The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other related duties may be required and assigned.

1.  Evaluates and assesses individuals with acute/severe problems related to substance abuse, mental or emotional problems; clients may be suicidal, depressed, psychotic and/or potentially violent.
2. Develops and implements specialized individual plans for clients to assist in identifying, minimizing or resolving problems and to ensure safety.
3. Counsels and advises individuals, in person and by telephone, who are experiencing acute emotional or mental crisis.
4. Evaluates clients placed on 72-hour hold and makes recommendations to the medical staff regarding release or detainment.
5. Makes client referrals to community agencies; determines whether individuals meet involuntary detention standards; may place clients on 72-hour hold documenting and following the specific Welfare and Institutions Code 5150 criteria.
6. Consults with mental health and other medical professionals, supervisors, and other staff regarding the status and disposition of clients.
7. Works with client's family to assist them in understanding and dealing with the client's problems.
8. Monitors individual behavior and progress to ensure the disposition and referrals are appropriate; reports and documents observations of client behavior and progress.
9. Develops lines of communication between the County and the community by explaining programs; provides information and advice to law enforcement agencies, community organizations and the general public.
10. Attends meetings, seminars and training sessions as required.
11. Maintains various data used in the generation of reports; utilizes a computer to enter, store, and retrieve data; compiles and produces narrative reports; composes routine correspondence; disseminates information to others; reviews data to ensure accuracy; forwards data to applicable personnel.

 
EXAMPLES OF MARGINAL DUTIES

1. Provides transportation for clients to outside facilities as needed.
2. Answers the telephone, provides information, takes messages, and/or directs calls as appropriate.
3. Assists in training other staff members as assigned. 

Knowledge of:  Methods and techniques of individual, group and family counseling; crisis intervention principles, methods and techniques; available community resources and sources of referral; effects of alcohol and drugs; knowledge of psychiatric disorders; laws and regulations affecting the detention, counseling or referral of clients; methods and types of short term coping skills; principles and practices of supporting individuals in crisis or dangerous situations.
 
Ability to:  Assess and evaluate withdrawn, agitated, upset or threatening individuals; develop and implement specialized individual plans for clients; maintain confidentiality of patient/client information; establish and maintain effective interpersonal relations with clients, the general public and personnel at all organizational levels; work as a team member; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; maintain accurate records; work variable hours including holidays and weekends; maintain accurate records of client activity and progress; and utilize various software programs relevant to the position.
 
Education and Experience:  Training and experience equivalent to completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, psychology or a closely related field and one year of related experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

Related experience includes: inpatient psychiatric services, outpatient behavioral health programs, substance use treatment programs, residential or mental health treatment facilities, mental health rehabilitation facilities, memory care facilities, group homes, jail health services or correctional settings, probation, law enforcement, first responders, fire, EMS, general acute care hospitals, emergency rooms or other urgent care or emergency care settings. Essential Duties require the following physical skills and work requirements:
Ability to maintain mental capacity, which allows the capability to exercise sound judgment and rational thinking under varied circumstances; think and act quickly in emergencies; effectively deal with personal danger; requires the ability to exert physical effort in an emergency as well as sedentary to light work involving moving from one area of the office to another; ability to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception required for making observation and judgment regarding client behavior; ability to hear and communicate orally; requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing, data entry or use of other office equipment or supplies; ability to operate a motor vehicle.
 
License or Certificate: Must possess and maintain an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Recruitment Process
The recruitment process for this position includes completing an application and participating in oral interview(s).  Please notify the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date for this position if you believe you have a disability, which would make it difficult to participate in any portion of the recruitment process and would require reasonable accommodation. Sutter County reserves the right to require medical documentation concerning the need for accommodation. Offers of employment are contingent upon investigation of employment history, references, drug testing, medical review/exam and fingerprinting in addition to other appropriate requirements of the position.
 
NOTE: Sutter County utilizes E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of employees to work in the United States.

The County of Sutter is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Sutter County encourages both incumbents and individuals who have been offered employment to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $60,923 - $83,346