Crisis Support Specialist

Position Objectives

Provide a friendly, trauma-informed, and professional response to individuals experiencing emergent or urgent psychiatric or personal issues, including responding in person and on-site when it is safe and appropriate to do so. Collaborate and coordinate with local law enforcement, EMS, and hospital emergency departments as needed to ensure continuity of care and maintain a safe environment for patients/clients and staff.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide crisis services based on philosophies emphasizing patient/client strengths
• Provide support and advocacy with various systems on behalf of patient/client/family to facilitate obtaining needed resources and/or protection of rights
• Use the Crisis Services Manual and Treatment Plans to guide specific patient/client care
• Assess and monitor patient/client emotional state, level of involvement and behavior
• De-escalate crises in the community to allow children to remain in the home
• Provide effective family support and safety planning to ensure safety of all in the home
• Provide guidance on available options for higher levels of care
• Provide tools and resources for crisis avoidance
• Respond to crises in the community in teams of two
• Assess for immediate safety and create plans for maintaining safety in the community
• Collaborate with treatment and crisis intervention center staff to support patients/clients in accessing the appropriate level of care
• Provide resources for connection to community resources and supports for ongoing wellness
• Proactively engage with patients/clients to work collaboratively toward recovery and wellness goals
• Recognize signs of behavior escalation and intervene to prevent restraint or seclusion
• Provide crisis intervention services in the community and in patient/clients' home when a crisis has been identified
• Help clients and families become linked with necessary community services/resources
• Employ problem solving with client and family to help them resolve issues/problems and develop crisis resolution and prevention plans
• Provide case consultation services and attend treatment meetings with internal staff and external agencies
• Maintain documentation for clinical outcomes within Prairie View standards
• Communicate and coordinate with local law enforcement, EMS, and emergency departments
• Inform the development of individual treatment plans based on personal interaction with the patient/client
• Maintain adequate and timely documentation in the clinical record of treatment interventions
• Participate regularly in clinical and administrative supervision
• Participate in organizational QAPI activities

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: High School degree or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree in related field of behavioral health sciences and/or Licensed Mental Health Technician preferred
• Minimum Experience: Demonstrated skills in the provision of direct support for individuals experiencing mental health crisis; experience working in social service setting or at least two years of college preferred
• Must have good listening skills and good command of the English language
• Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing in a professional manner
• Must be proficient at basic keyboarding/word processing skills
• Must be able to interact in a positive, non-reactive manner with patients/clients/residents and staff
• Must be able to communicate effectively with referral sources and external care providers
• Must be able to stand for periods of up to 2 hours and lift a minimum of 50 pounds
• Must be able to kneel, bend, squat, and hold on to a person in order to restrain an out-of-control patient/client
• Must have flexibility in scheduling, working nights and weekends
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must possess and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license and an acceptable driving record
• Must be able to pass Kansas Bureau of Investigation Screen, Central Registry Screen, DCF and all other required company background checks
• Able to pass state required health screening