Crisis Intervention Specialist - Emergency Services & Crisis Care

About the role

This position works as part of a multidisciplinary team serving individuals with serious mental illness in acute crisis who are high risk, as well as those diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disorders and substance use or co-occurring disorders. The role provides specialized services such as assessment for temporary detention, evaluation for hospitalization, and critical stress management. It offers a unique opportunity to serve individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures experiencing a wide range of clinical presentations and service needs.

Experience with co-occurring disorders, conducting risk assessments, making rapid differential diagnoses, and providing crisis intervention from a recovery-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered lens is essential. A successful candidate will have the ability to write comprehensive clinical notes and complete pre-detention and pre-admission evaluation forms. This position involves working one (or two) weekend days on a weekly basis.

Responsibilities

• Reviews clinical records, writes clinical notes, and completes pre-detention and pre-admission screening evaluation forms.
• Performs complex, code-mandated evaluations, including mental status examinations and comprehensive risk assessments.
• Makes independent diagnoses and determines if the individual meets civil commitment criteria.
• When clinically indicated, recommends the issuance of an Emergency Custody Order or a Temporary Detention Order.
• Evaluates individuals seeking voluntary admission to a local psychiatric hospital (state-funded admission) or a crisis stabilization unit.
• Provides emergency crisis intervention services to high-risk individuals (e.g., suicidal, homicidal, experiencing symptoms of psychosis) with the goal of stabilization and finding safe community treatment alternatives.
• Responds on rapid call-out (24/7) to high-risk hostage/barricade situations, providing on-scene consultation and intervention services.
• Responds on rapid call-out (24/7) to public safety personnel, other county employees, or community members exposed to psychologically traumatic events.
• Attends civil commitment and appeal hearings, providing expert testimony to General District and Circuit Courts.
• Responds in the community to evaluate and intervene with high-risk individuals unwilling or unable to come voluntarily to the CSB Emergency Service for evaluation or treatment.
• Works as part of mobile response teams when necessary.
• Assesses the need for referral to a psychiatrist, primary care physician, or hospital emergency department.
• Provides expert consultation to Human Services and Public Safety agencies and the private sector regarding clinically complex and/or high-risk individuals.
• Works closely and collaboratively with Law Enforcement Officers and/or Sheriff’s Deputies throughout the evaluation and detention process.
• Provides liaison to community agencies to facilitate communication and service provision for clients requiring multiple services and/or who are clinically complex and high-risk.
• Provides clinical supervision to license-eligible Crisis Intervention Specialists and/or training to newly hired staff when applicable.

Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia pertaining to Emergency Custody Orders, Temporary Detention Orders, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Outpatient Treatment, Duty to Warn, etc.
• Comprehensive knowledge of community resources and referral agencies to connect individuals in crisis with appropriate ongoing clinical treatment and agencies addressing issues such as hunger, homelessness, and medical illness.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of psychological and social development of the individual.
• Thorough knowledge of intake procedures, social history development, and interviewing techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of treatment options for individuals with behavioral health and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of Critical Incident Stress Management techniques, including psychoeducational training on psychological and stress first aid and resiliency training.
• Knowledge of hostage/barricade negotiation techniques and incident command management (ICM).
• Knowledge of psychiatric, psychological, and/or sociological terminology and concepts.
• Knowledge of clinical supervisory methods and techniques.
• Ability to complete a mental status examination and comprehensive risk assessment.
• Ability to conduct mental health assessments and apply treatment approaches/modalities.
• Ability to formulate diagnoses.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals in life-and-death situations as a routine part of the job.
• Ability to diagnostically interpret data obtained from psychological test results, social histories, and interviews.
• Ability to prepare, produce, and conduct program presentations.
• Ability to function independently in high-stress situations.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, co-workers, public and private sector organizations, public safety, community groups, and the general public.
• Ability to successfully perform as a team leader/member.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college with a master's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling, plus two years of clinical experience, or a doctoral degree in social work, psychology, or counseling, plus one year of clinical experience. Must be eligible to be licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia in one of the following: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Psychologist, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

• Valid driver's license with fewer than six (6) demerit points (or equivalent in another state) and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification (within 3 months of hire).
• Certified Pre-screener as required by the Department of Behavioral Health and Disability (within six (6) months of appointment).

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. Additional requirements include:

• TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
• Hepatitis C screening at time of appointment and annually thereafter.
• National Provider Identifier (NPI).

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Pre-screener Certification as defined by the Code of Virginia.
• At least 3 years of post-master’s clinical experience providing crisis intervention and working with individuals having co-occurring disorders (SMI, ID/DD, and substance use).
• Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or MD/DO.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate clearly with others and make clinical observations.
• Ability to run/climb several flights of stairs; lift an object of 20 lbs.
• Ability to drive a vehicle.
• Ability to review clinical records, write clinical notes, and complete pre-detention and pre-admission evaluation forms.
• Ability to use keyboard-driven equipment.

All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Schedule

Program operates 24/7. Position requires shift work that includes overnights, weekends, and holidays. Position also requires on-call coverage based on the needs of the service and minimum staffing requirements. Licensed providers may not “opt out” of being a Medicare provider.

Benefits

• Annual environmental bonus pay of $3,600 for full-time positions (paid biweekly).
• Foreign language skills stipend of up to $1,600/year (full-time) for qualified bilingual employees.
• Clinical supervision for employees registered as licensed-eligible mental health professionals in one of the following areas: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner, or Licensed Nurse Practitioner.
• Licensure supervisors receive a stipend of $1,500 paid biweekly over a 12-month period for supervising Department of Health licensure candidates.
• License/Certification Reimbursement: Reimbursement for job-related licenses and/or certifications once per year.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with many residents speaking languages other than English at home, including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Indo-European languages. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.