CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

Washington County, WI; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

Washington County is seeking a Part-Time Crisis Intervention Specialist to provide telephone and mobile crisis intervention, crisis counseling, assessments, and referrals as part of the Acute Care Services team. The role supports a state-certified 24/7 crisis program and requires working nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating schedule.

Under supervision, you will collaborate with law enforcement, schools, and community providers to coordinate crisis resolution and ensure comprehensive

Qualifications

• Must have ability to interact professionally with clients who may be challenging and potentially hostile.
• Experience with children and families in child welfare, child protective services, or juvenile justice is a plus.
• Experience working with youth in mental health is preferred.
• A valid Wisconsin driver's license, available automobile, and automobile insurance are required.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education with relevant mental health experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides telephone and mobile crisis intervention and crisis counseling to clients and families.
• Develops crisis plans leveraging community resources to resolve crises.
• Assesses safety and level of care needs and arranges referrals as needed.
• Performs after-hours intake and Adult Protective Services duties as prescribed by WI statutes.
• Coordinates with law enforcement, schools, and community partners for crisis resolution.
• Completes medical/financial records documentation and billing information timely.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Dealing with challenging clients

Flexible scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, human services or related field

Two years post high school education with four years mental health experience

Job description

Washington County, located in West Bend, Wisconsin has an excellent opportunity for Part-Time Crisis Intervention Specialist with our Human Services Acute Care Services- Crisis Intervention Team. Acute Care Services is a unit of the Behavioral Health Services division. It is a state-certified 24/7/365 emergency mental health services program that partners with the community to empower individuals and families during a crisis. The primary focus is on client-centered, least restrictive crisis intervention and treatment. Under the general supervision of the Behavioral Health Program Supervisor, the Crisis Intervention Specialist provides telephone and mobile crisis intervention, crisis counseling, assessment, referral and acts as a human services intake worker. Training will be provided with the opportunity for flexible work hours to cover a variety of schedules and shifts. MUST BE ABLE/WILLING TO WORK NIGHTS, WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS (rotating holiday schedule).

Qualified candidates must possess:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, human services or related field and one year of experience working with a mental health population; OR two years post high school education from an accredited technical school, college or university in a related field and four years of work experience providing mental health services.
• Must have the ability to interact professionally with clients who may be challenging and potentially hostile.
• Experience working with children and families in the capacity of child welfare, child protective services, or juvenile justice a plus.
• Experience working with youth in the area of mental health preferred.
• A valid Wisconsin driver’s license, available automobile, and automobile insurance are required.

Starting pay is $30.60 per hour. Washington County is recognized for our commitment to providing quality services to the citizens of our community. Our team members embrace the challenge of meeting goals and expectations. Every day we work to creatively problem solve, innovate and collaborate as a team to meet customer needs and deliver solutions.

Our Mission

We create an environment for residents and businesses to enjoy our authentic quality of life through a well governed and administered county dedicated to safe and secure communities; economic growth and vitality; effective mobility and reliable infrastructure; and access to basic needs.

Our Vision

Washington County strives to cultivate its rich heritage, vibrant economy and attractive communities through the distinct values that define us.

Our Values

Respect, Optimism, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Collaboration.

Washington County is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities

Position Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Behavioral Health Program Supervisor, the Crisis Intervention Specialist provides telephone and mobile crisis intervention, crisis counseling, assessment, referral and acts as a human services intake worker. Works closely with community providers, law enforcement, school personnel, clients, and families. Duties may include non-standard workweeks and on-call coverage.

Duties/Responsibilities:

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

• Receives intake crisis calls for Washington County Acute Care Services crisis intervention program. Interviews clients and families to obtain mental health and/or AODA information and assesses the needs of the individual and family. Assessments may be completed by telephone or in person in the community, at the individual's residence, hospital, jail, school, or at the crisis office location. Appropriately, credentialed staff may provide crisis therapy and therapy case management when indicated.
• Provides direct telephone and mobile crisis intervention services to children, adolescents, adults, and families in the community.
• Develops crisis plans utilizing the strengths of the individual/family and available community resources to resolve the immediate crisis and facilitates follow-up interventions.
• Determines appropriate level of care needs during the crisis and arranges referrals. Represents the Human Services Department for approval of WI Stats., Ch. 51 emergency detentions and inpatient funding when indicated.
• Performs duties of an after hours intake worker as prescribed under WI Stats., Chs. 48.067 and 938.067.
• Performs duties of an after-hours Adult Protective Services worker as prescribed under WI Stats., Ch. 55.043
• Works collaboratively with law enforcement, families, other county departments, schools, continuum of acute care services providers, and other community resources to coordinate appropriate crisis resolution and referral.
• Communicates pertinent information on a timely basis and participates in clinical supervision case reviews, staffing's, and/or case planning meetings.
• Participates in department development to ensure quality and effective programming.
• Completes all necessary health care/medical and financial record documentation required to maintain complete medical and financial billing records. Completes appropriate and timely medical record documentation, which may include assessments, follow-up contacts, crisis plans, administrative, demographic, insurance, and financial information. Coordinates this information with the appropriate staff.
• Student interns and Master’s level staff will provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, therapy, and case management when assigned under the supervision of the Acute Care Services Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Director.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including responding to an emergency event.

Work Direction Received:

Works under the general direction of the Behavioral Health Program Supervisor.

Decision Making:

Decisions about the focus and direction of interventions and assessments utilized are made in collaboration with the individual/family, law enforcement, and community resources employing the “Best Practice” philosophy when in a crisis. Determines appropriate level of safety planning and/or treatment referrals, approves emergency detentions, and authorizes inpatient behavioral health/detox funding as a representative of the Human Services Department. Other responsibilities and daily work priorities are made independently.

Interaction:

There is significant interaction with consumers, law enforcement, hospital personnel, and community with the implementation of the “Best Practice” philosophy. In addition, interaction with families, community agencies, schools, private practitioners, attorneys, judges, and the public-at-large, may occur on a daily basis.

Essential Knowledge and Abilities:

Exceptional telephone and communication skills are essential when working with the public. Ability to think critically and problem-solve while completing assessments and developing safety plans with consumers. Basic computer skills required for documentation. Knowledge of community resources, mental illness, emotional disorders, alcohol/drug abuse, and risk assessment related to dangers to self or others, suicide, or homicide. Knowledge of State, Federal and local laws, rules and regulations affecting the Acute Care Services program, Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services and Juvenile Intake Services. Ability to work effectively with a treatment team, communicate effectively orally and in writing, and interacts with the public in a professional manner. Ability to complete paperwork responsibilities in a timely fashion. Ability to complete orientation training including CPS/Juvenile Intake training within six months of hire. Able to fulfill physical demands of job, sensory demands (seeing and hearing), and cognitive demands (concentration, conceptualization, memorization).

Training and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, human services or related field and one year of experience working with a mental health population; or two years of post high school education from an accredited technical school, college or university in a related field and four years of work experience providing mental health services. Must have the ability to interact professionally with clients who may be challenging and potentially hostile. Experience working with children and families in the capacity of child welfare, child protective services, or juvenile justice a plus. A minimum of one year of experience working with youth in the area of mental health preferred. A valid Wisconsin driver’s license, available automobile, and automobile insurance are required.