Crisis Intervention Specialist I

About the role

Within a team process, develops a strength-based relationship with client in the context of a mental health or behavioral crisis. Intervenes with individuals presenting with crisis behaviors including but not limited to agitation, aggression, active psychosis, suicidal ideation and/or self-injury. The position requires shift-based work in which individuals are responding to community or Crisis Stabilization Unit based crisis on immediate emergency requests from individuals, community partners, law enforcement or family members/natural supports. The position will require at times joint response with law enforcement officers to participate in the crisis assessment and triage including the screening for dangerous situations, weapons, and other high risk environmental factors. Responsible for crisis de-escalation and stabilization in situations that have the potential for becoming volatile in nature. May require restraint certification.

Responsibilities

• Supports mental health crisis hotline by gathering information, supporting callers and identifying needs related to current crisis situation.
• Provides phone stabilization and resourcing as needed.
• Provides crisis assessment and de-escalation of adults or youth who are experiencing an acute mental health or behavioral crisis and may be presenting as a danger to themselves or a danger to others.
• Participates in information gathering and decision making related to involuntary psychiatric holds as Lanterman Petris Short laws and regulations.
• Provides direct billable mental health services, documents in alignment with MediCal regulations, and achieves set productivity expectations.
• Engages and supports family members and other natural supports in the midst of an acute psychiatric crisis which includes psychoeducation related to de-escalation strategies, steps to secure home environments specifically related to weapons, dangerous items, substances that could put the client at risk of harm to self or others.
• Facilitates transport of individuals on 5150 holds including providing clinical information to accepting hospitals or CSU/other psychiatric facilities.
• Remains with client until transport has arrived and client safety enroute to accepting facility.
• Aids individuals with identifying triggers, unmet needs, psychosocial factors that are contributing to ongoing acute mental health crisis.
• Utilizes strengths-based approach to develop a comprehensive risk management and safety plan to support the client in stabilizing the behaviors that may present as danger to themselves others after the conclusion of service.
• Provides linkage, referrals and resources in the community based on identified needs which may include but not limited to mental health services, substance use services, housing supports, and additional identified social services.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and one (1) year of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience (two years of relevant experience equals one year of education).
• Speak, read, and/or write another language may be required by some programs/areas.
• If the program requires, the employee must pass an initial physical abilities test (PATS) and be certified in crisis intervention techniques within the first 30 days and annually.

Job Competencies

• Conflict Resolution
• Documents clearly and accurately
• Encouraging customer focus
• Learns on the fly
• Time management

Physical Requirements

• Must remain physically fit enough to keep clients self-safe.
• While performing these duties the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
• This also includes the ability to: Move quickly/run
• Drive a car

Driving

Required

Specific vision abilities required by the job

• Close vision
• Distance vision
• Color vision
• Peripheral vision
• Depth perception
• The ability to adjust focus

Physical Tasks

• Stand
• Walk
• Sit
• Use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls
• Reach with hands and arms
• Climb stairs
• Balance
• Stoop
• Kneel
• Crouch or crawl
• Talk or hear
• Taste or smell

Physical Abilities Test (PATS)

Required

Human Performance Evaluation Test

Required if employed at a Crisis Stabilization Unit

Specific Movements

• Lifting
• Pushing/pulling
• Repetitive coupling
• Static weight
• Other required movements

Weight Lifting

Up to 50 pounds

Background Check

Required

TB Exam

Required

We are Equal Opportunity Employer

Which includes providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with a disability.