Crisis Response Specialist (Odessa)

Job Number: 428

Location : Odessa

Supervises : N

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Division : MH

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

Shift : M-F 8am - 5pm, on call;Assigned work hours may change as the needs of the agency and clients change

Driving required : Y

Travel required : Y

Settings : office, field

POSITION SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

The Crisis Response Specialist isresponsible for daytime response to mental health crisis calls from LawEnforcement, Emergency Room, and the PermiaCare Crisis Hotline. This position provides emergency services toindividuals in the community by defining presenting complaints, obtainingrelevant medical history, assessing needed interventions, and initiating appropriatecrisis intervention services, resolving crisis situations, filing emergencydetention orders, and facilitating entrance into Crisis respite facilities whenappropriate. The Crisis ResponseSpecialist is responsible for ensuring persons in crisis are treated in theleast restrictive and most appropriate environment. This position develops and maintains positiveworking relationships with law enforcement, hospital personnel and thejudiciary. The Crisis Response Specialistfacilitates entry of crisis clients into need brief services and/or referral toongoing services as well as handles crises that walk into the Mental HealthClinics.

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

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OTHERQUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required: A Bachelor's degree from an accreditedcollege 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'sdegree with at least 30 hours of coursework in the previous fields.

Experience Required: At least 1 year of experience in the mentalhealth field preferred.

Registration, Certification,Licensure or other Qualifications Required:

• Must maintain a valid TexasDriver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable toPermiaCare's insurance requirements.
• Required to pass criminal historyand background checks as well as pre-employment drug screen.
• Must obtain QMHP certificationwithin 6 months.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES:

• Respond, by phone, to all crisiscalls within 10 minutes.
• Make face-to-face responses, whenindicated, within 1 hour.
• Provide intervention that ensuresleast restrictive setting.
• File Emergency Detentionapplications appropriately.
• Exercise clinical judgment incrisis situations.
• Serve as a fill-in for nighttimecrisis workers when needed.
• Provide follow-up for individualswho were treated for crisis.
• Complete all crisis logs andservice documentation before ending shift.
• Remain compliant with Medicaid andState documentation standards.
• Complete documentation necessaryto assign contact or registered status (as indicated) to all non-PermiaCareclients.
• Scan and upload documentation intoEHR.
• Maintain utilization data onservices provided as assigned by supervisor.
• Apply the Medicaid coveredservices for this position, the proper application of these services, and thecodes used to describe these services.
• Work with all members of theCrisis Services team to ensure quality and appropriate use of services forpersons in crisis.
• Develop and maintains positiverelationships with law enforcement.
• Develop and maintains positiverelationships with judiciary.
• Develop and maintains positiverelationships with hospital personnel.
• Report to Crisis ResponseSpecialist (Night) before end of shift, as needed.
• Participate in quality assuranceand utilization review process.
• Discharge clients as needed.
• Provide PASRR assessments asneeded.
• Provide high quality support for vulnerableindividuals.
• Develop and maintain supportiverelationships with patient.
• Identify and assess the risk ofsuicide or self harming behavior and provide appropriate intervention.
• Advocate and assist in accessingcommunity resources.
• Develop intervention plans.
• Maintain accurate documentation.
• Provide follow up and aftercareservices.
• Fill-in for daytime co-responder staff as needed.
• Meet unit performance measures ortargets.
• Maintain assigned caseload ofindividuals with mental illness.
• Coordinate services to designatedcaseload.
• Enter accurate and appropriatedocumentation of services within timeframe required.
• Maintain confidentiality ofsensitive records and treatment information, client files and protected healthinformation in compliance with HIPAA, laws, rules and regulations, andestablished procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliablephysical on-site attendance. Regular attendance, dependability, and promptness arerequired for the scheduled work day 100% of the time, to ensure consistency andcompleteness of program's processes.
• Comply with the Abuse, Neglect,and Exploitation policy and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct andStandards of Behavior policy requirements.
• Establish and maintain effectivework relationships with individuals served and their families, supervisors,co-workers and visitors by demonstrating cooperative, courteous and respectfulbehavior at all times.
• Communicate regularly withsupervisor.
• Open and process mail/email in atimely manner.
• Answer phone, collect phonemessages and respond to requests timely and accurately.
• Maintain safe and clean workingenvironment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
• Perform all work functions andinteractions using a trauma informed approach.
• Display professionalism whenrepresenting PermiaCare and the program in the community.
• Maintain compliance with legalrequirements and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain valid and currentdriver's license, auto insurance, acceptable driving record and reliabletransportation at all times. Driving may be required for this position.
• Complete all training as assignedprior to due date.
• Other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are not designated as essential for the purposesof ADA; they are still required duties):

• Fill in for other MH staff asneeded.
• Ensure copies of CrisisAssessments are on hand at all times.
• Ensure copies of Resource Guidesand PermiaCare contact information is on hand at all times.
• Provide translation, ifapplicable.
• Participate in team meeting orstaffings.
• Participate in communityactivities and/or attends community meetings as needed.
• Participate in workgroups andcommittees as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES ANDCOMPETENCIES:

• Advanced knowledge of mentalillness and treatment.
• Knowledge of crisis interventionand suicide prevention.
• Ability to handle stressful andemotionally charged situations and remain calm and professional.
• Ability to provide emotionalsupport to clients.
• Ability to handle confidentialinformation with discretion.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability toprotect confidentiality.
• Knowledge of intake process forthe Mental Health Clinic.
• Knowledge of the Texas MentalHealth Code.
• Advanced knowledge of crisisintervention techniques.
• Knowledge of community resourcesand alternatives to State hospitalization.
• Effective multi-tasking skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Welcoming, positive behavior.
• Ability to express self clearlyand effectively, orally and in writing.
• Effective time management skills.
• Exceptional customer serviceskills, including positive attitude.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Dependable attendance andpunctuality.
• Knowledge of trauma informedtheories, principles and practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability todifferent work environments.
• Excellent computer skills,including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Reading and comprehending.
• Reasoning and analyzing.
• Ability to coordinate with variousinter-agency personnel.
• Ability to fulfill PMAB andCPR/First Aid requirements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good interpersonal skills,including ability to build rapport with individuals including co-workers.
• Ability to display comfort ininteracting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic and economicbackgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminaljustice organizations, as needed.
• Ability to acquire and utilize newskills as the job requires.
• Ability to work cooperatively andproductively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons atall levels of activity, contributing to a spirit of teamwork.
• Ability to maintain highlyconfidential information.
• Ability to remain calm instressful situations.
• Ability to plan and schedule workand implement directives without constant supervision.
• Model professionalism byappropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.
• Ability to drive personal and/orcompany vehicle. This positi]]>