Crisis Service Safety Technician

Claratel Behavioral Health; Decatur (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Claratel Behavioral Health is seeking a Crisis Service Technician to support PES and CSU units, ensuring safety, triage, and therapeutic engagement. You will assist with intake, conduct safety screenings, and document observations under supervision.

The role requires strong communication, de-escalation, and teamwork in a high-acuity environment. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, collaborate with nurses, clinicians, and case managers, and help discharge planning while maintaining

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree or coursework in related field preferred.
• Experience in behavioral health, inpatient psychiatry, crisis, or correctional settings is valued.
• Proficiency with electronic health records (Avatar/BHL/Xferral) and basic computer literacy required.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and families and provide education and emotional support.
• Document arrival times, demographics, and initial observations; assist with intake and safety screenings.
• Record shift notes and interventions in the EHR; participate in crisis de-escalation and safety procedures.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

De-escalation skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or coursework in psychology/social work/human services

Tools

Avatar EHR

BHL EHR

Xferral

Job description

About Claratel Behavioral Health

Claratel Behavioral Health is an innovative, community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities services organization offering a full range of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services to underserved individuals. As a public, not-for-profit organization, Claratel Behavioral Health operates in more than 20 locations in DeKalb County, Georgia, with a diverse workforce of more than 400 direct-care and support staff.

If you are passionate about driving change in behavioral health and developmental services and are eager to work in an environment that values innovation and inclusivity, Claratel Behavioral Health is the place for you. Here, your work is impactful, your growth is prioritized, and your well-being is supported. Together, we can forge pathways to a healthier future for all.

Claratel Behavioral Health (formerly known as DeKalb Community Service Board) is an innovative, community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities services organization located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, offering a full range of mental health services, developmental disabilities programs and substance abuse treatment to more than 11,000 citizens annually who are uninsured and underinsured.

As a public, not-for-profit organization, Claratel BH operates in DeKalb County with a diverse workforce of more than 500 direct-care and support staff and more than 20 locations across the county. Our staff of physicians, nurses,cliniciansand support personnel are dedicated to helping our clients and their families recover from these debilitating disabilities and resume productive lives. We strive to provide the highest quality, evidence-based services in the least restrictive settings, and we envision a community in which disabilities no longer limit potential. Claratel BH is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

The DeKalb Regional Crisis Center provides crisis intervention and stabilization services for adults.

The Center offers three levels of care starting with the Crisis Services Center unit that receives walk-ins, transfers from emergency rooms, and involuntary referrals for evaluation.

If further observation is needed, individuals aremonitoredin the Temporary Observation Unit for 12-24 hours. Individuals needing a longer period of stabilization or substance withdrawal management (usually 5-7 days) are admitted to the Crisis Stabilization Unit where ongoing care includes crisis counseling, medication, and assistance with discharge planning.

Program Overview

The DeKalb Regional Crisis Center (DRCC) provides crisis intervention and stabilization services for adults across three levels of care:

• Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES): Rapid intake, triage, and evaluation of walk-ins, law enforcement drop-offs, ER transfers, and involuntary referrals.
• Temporary Observation (Temp Observations):12–Up to24 hours of monitoring and evaluation for clients needing extended stabilization.
• Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU): 5–7-day admissions for psychiatric stabilization and/or withdrawal management, with crisis counseling, medication, and discharge planning.

Position Summary

TheCrisis Service Technician (CST)plays a critical role in both PES and CSU by providing direct clientcare, intake and triage support, crisis intervention, therapeutic engagement, and continuous monitoring of client safety and progress. CSTs take the primary role for ensuring facility safety and securityand adherence to enviromental standards. CSTs support clinicians, nurses, and case managers inmaintaininga safe, structured, and recovery-oriented environment whileassistingclients in stabilizing from acute behavioral health crises. CSTs serve as active members of the Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT), helpfacilitatetreatment activities, and ensure that all interactions are carried out with professionalism, empathy, and trauma-informed care.

Key Responsibilities

Intake & Triage (PES)

• Greet clients, families, and law enforcement partners upon arrival, ensuring a professional and welcoming environment.
• Provide education & emotional support to clients & their families as they present.
• Document arrival time, demographics, and initial observations.
• Assistwith intake documentation, safety screenings, and consent forms.
• Secure personal belongings, conduct contraband searches, and ensure compliance with PES safety protocols.
• Collect vital signs and behavioral observations under direction of nursing/clinical staff.
• Verify insurance eligibility through systems such as Availity, GAMMIS, orXferral.

Client Care & Therapeutic Engagement (CSU & PES)

• Greet clients, families, and law enforcement partners upon arrival, ensuring a professional and welcoming environment.
• Ensure that all visitors and guests completeacknowledgement of confidentiality and are accounted for through sign-in/sign-out process
• Maintain a weapons free environment through initial screening procedures
• Secure personal belongings, conduct contraband searches, and ensure compliance with PES safety protocols.
• Collect vital signs and behavioral observations under direction of nursing/clinical staff.
• Verify insurance eligibility through systems such as Availity, GAMMIS, orXferral.
• Engage clients instructured and diversionaryactivities
• Maintain a presence in treatment areas, builiding rapport with persons served and ensuring individuals feel safe

Safety & Crisis Response

• Conduct and document routine safety checks, environmental rounds, and room inspections for ligature risks or contraband.
• Monitor clients for signs of escalating behavior, withdrawal symptoms, or psychiatric distress.
• Provide proactive responseand risk mitigation to conditionsthaymay compromise the safety of the facility and the individuals involved
• Create an environment that is person-centered and respectful of individuals’ rights
• Serve as a subject matter expert incrisis de-escalation and least restrictive interventions
• Respond promptly to emergencies and participatein BERT interventions using approved de-escalation strategies.
• Assiststaff in seclusion/restraint procedures when necessary andin accordance withpolicy.
• Maintain secure storage of restricted items and safeguard client property.
• Serve as thedesignatedsafety officer when onsite
• Support implementation of individualized treatment plans by reinforcing therapeutic goals and interventions.
• Encourage client participation in WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plans), SNAP (Safety Needs and Action Plans), and personal recovery goals.
• Assistwith discharge planning by reinforcing follow-up instructions and preparing clients for transition to community or residential care, as needed.
• Ensureindividuals discharge with all documented personal belongings

Communication & Documentation

• Accurately record shift notes, observations, and interventions in the EHR.
• Complete critical incident reports
• Communicate with operations team to address facility damagesand critical client inventory needs
• Document the collection and distribution of client personal belongings
• Update census boards and systems such as Avatar and Behavioral Health Link (BHL).
• Maintain ongoing communication with nursing, clinical, and case management staff during shift handoffs.
• Report client status changes, incidents, or safety concernsimmediatelyto theappropriate teammembers.
• Answer phones, triage inquiries, andassistwith administrative duties as assigned.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment within PES and CSU units.
• Ensure supplies for groups, recreational activities, and safety protocols are stocked and ready for use.
• Report facility or equipment maintenance needs promptly.
• Adhere to all Claratel BH, DBHDD, HIPAA, and CARF standards, always ensuring client confidentiality.
• Complete andmaintainrequired certifications (CPR, First Aid,MindSet, Defensive Driving) andparticipatein mandatory ongoing trainings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GEDrequired; Associate degree or coursework in psychology, social work, or human services preferred.
• At least one year of experience in behavioral health,in-patientpsychiatric,orcrisisor correctionalsettings strongly preferred.
• Proficiencywith EHR systems (e.g., Avatar, BHL,Xferral) and basic computer literacy.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and client-centered in high-stress situations.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, andobservefor extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift25 50 pounds and assistclients with mobility when needed.
• Ability to executephysical containment and manual hold maneuvers
• Must respond rapidly ability to rapidly respond to behavioral or medical emergencies.
• Work in a high-acuity environment with potential exposure to unpredictable or aggressive behaviors.

Pre-employment drug screening and successful completion of a criminal history background check is required.

Claratel Behavioral Healthparticipates in E-Verify (Company ID: 226305)

Claratel Behavioral Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates who may require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law to perform the essential functions of this job are encouraged to contact Human Resources at [e-mail] .