Crisis Professional

North Central Health Care; Town of Wausau (WI); On-site; USD 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO and holidays

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

On-site bistro/cafeteria

Life insurance

Accident insurance

Employee discounts

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) with

Job summary

North Central Health Care in Wisconsin seeks a Crisis Professional to deliver crisis intervention, assessment, and stabilization across multiple counties and settings. The role includes evaluating risk, coordinating care, and supporting families and individuals in crisis.

Responsibilities include providing safety plans, coordinating admissions, and offering de-escalation strategies while collaborating with healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Human Services, Psychology, or related field.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle.
• Must meet insurability requirements for vehicle policy.
• Authorized to operate vehicle and transport clients as needed.
• 1+ year direct care or behavioral health experience.
• Ability to stay calm in high-risk, unpredictable situations.
• Strong clinical judgement and critical thinking.

Responsibilities

• Conduct crisis assessments in various settings to evaluate risk and level of care.
• Develop and implement safety plans and provide short-term follow-up.
• Triage and coordinate admissions to inpatient, crisis stabilization, detox, or outpatient services.
• Provide crisis counseling, emotional support, de-escalation, and coping strategies.
• Gather collateral information to inform clinical decisions.
• Coordinate with psychiatrists, medical providers, and legal entities for admissions.
• Respond to mobile crisis calls in the community and facilities.
• Conduct jail assessments for suicide watch and custody clearance.
• Provide after-hours protective services and welfare checks.
• Liaise with law enforcement, emergency departments, and other mental health providers.
• Operate crisis and warmline services with immediate referrals.
• Document accurately in the EMR per regulatory standards.
• Respond to emergencies and apply least restrictive interventions when needed.
• Support after-hours operations and facility communications.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Clinical judgement

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services/Psychology/related field

Master’s degree in Human Services/Psychology/related field

Job description

The Crisis Professional provides crisis intervention, assessment, and stabilization services to individuals of all ages experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises across Marathon, Lincoln, and Langlade Counties. Services are delivered via phone, in-person, and in community settings. This role conducts comprehensive risk assessments (including suicide, self-harm, homicidal ideation, psychosis, and substance use), determines the least restrictive appropriate level of care, and coordinates referrals to other services. The Crisis Professional serves as a central point of coordination among healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community partners to ensure safety and continuity of care.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting pay range from $29.91 to $31.70 for Bachelor’s candidates and $33.00 to $35.93 for Masters candidates, depending on experience. In addition, there is $1.50/hr shift differential for 2:00pm-10:00pm hours and $2.50/hr shift differential for 10:00pm-6:00am hours.
• There is 1 role available with the hours of 1:00pm – 11:00pm, working 4 days in a 7 day period.
• PTO, paid holidays, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, on-site bistro and cafeteria, pharmacy, newly updated facility, life insurance, accident insurance, hospital insurance, employee assistance program, and employee discounts.
• As a full-time employee of NCHC, you are eligible for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). The WRS is a hybrid defined benefit plan. It contains elements of both a 401(k) or defined contribution plan and a defined benefit plan. Participating staff contribute 7.2% and NCHC will match this at 100% each pay period!

What Qualifies You:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s degree in Human Services, Psychology, or another related field with a preferred one year or work in a related field.
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license and maintain unrestricted driving privileges throughout employment and have use of a personal vehicle.
• Must meet and continue to meet all requirements for insurability under the organization's vehicle insurance policy.
• Must be authorized to operate any vehicle and transport clients, patients, or staff as required by the position.
• More than 1 year experience working in direct care or behavioral health.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in high-risk, unpredictable and emotionally charged situations.
• Strong clinical judgement and critical thinking skills.

Preferred:

• More than 1 year in a role directly handling crisis situations.
• Formal crisis intervention training.

What a Crisis Professional does at NCHC:

• Conduct comprehensive crisis assessments in-person, by phone, and in community settings to evaluate risk and determine appropriate level of care
• Screen for suicide, self-harm, homicidal ideation, psychosis, and substance use using evidence-based tools and clinical judgmentDevelop and implement safety plans and provide short-term follow-up to ensure client stability in the community
• Triage and coordinate admissions to inpatient, crisis stabilization, detoxification, or outpatient services
• Provide crisis counseling, emotional support, de-escalation, and coping strategies to individuals and families
• Gather and analyze collateral information from medical records, family, law enforcement, and other providers to inform clinical decisions
• Facilitate voluntary and involuntary admissions, including coordination with psychiatrists, medical providers, and Corporation Counsel (Chapter 51/55)
• Respond to mobile crisis calls in the community, including homes, schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities
• Conduct jail assessments to determine suicide watch status and clearance for incarceration
• Provide after-hours Adult Protective Services response, including screening referrals, conducting welfare checks, and determining protective needs
• Serve as a liaison with community partners, including law enforcement, emergency departments, and other mental health providers
• Operate crisis and warmline services, providing immediate support, resources, and referrals
• Complete accurate, timely documentation in the electronic medical record in accordance with regulatory standards
• Respond to behavioral health emergencies and assist with safety interventions, including use of least restrictive measures and restraint when necessary
• Support after-hours operations, including switchboard coverage, safety monitoring, and facility communication
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Working Environment and Physical Requirements

• Frequent exposure to individuals experiencing emotional distress, agitation, or behavioral crises
• Occasional exposure to hostile situations
• Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and travel frequently throughout the workday

About North Central Health Care:

Nestled in the heart of Central Wisconsin, North Central Health Care (NCHC) is a healthcare organization formed over fifty years ago as a partnership between three Central Wisconsin counties - Langlade, Lincoln, and Marathon. NCHC employs more than 600 professionals in diverse roles across a variety of care and work environments.We provide passionate and high-quality care for individuals and families within the fields of mental health treatment, addiction services, long term care, short term care, physical therapy, crisis stabilization and so much more. We have amazing employees who provide exceptional care and want to add to our team. You can visit our website at www.norcen.org/careers to learn more.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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