Crisis Support Clinician

Delaware Guidance Services; Lewes (DE); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing Bonus

Retention Bonus

Shift differential

Job summary

Delaware Guidance Services is seeking a Crisis Support Clinician to join the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) in Delaware. You will provide rapid, trauma-informed behavioral health support to children, youth, and families in homes, schools, and community settings, assisting with crisis intervention and stabilization.

Working in a team, you will develop safety plans, de-escalation strategies, and connections to long-term services, collaborating with system partners to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related behavioral health field.
• 1–2 years of experience working with children, youth, and families in behavioral health, community, or crisis settings.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, family systems, and youth development.
• Familiarity with Delaware's System of Care and behavioral-health resources is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in high-stress situations.
• Valid Delaware driver's license and willingness to travel throughout the assigned county.
• Flexibility to respond to youth and family needs outside traditional hours.

Responsibilities

• Crisis response and stabilization for youth ages 2-17, with de-escalation support.
• Develop safety plans and assess risk in collaboration with the Lead Clinician.
• Deliver short-term, strengths-based interventions to stabilize crises.
• Assist families with environmental safety and connect to long-term services.
• Collaborate with MRSS team and community partners to coordinate care.
• Complete timely documentation in MRSS-compliant systems.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Communication

Calm under pressure

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or related field

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

• Signing Bonus: $4,000
• Retention Bonus after 1 year: starting at $1000
• Shift differential for worked hours between M-F 5:00pm and 8:00am, weekends and holidays: $2 per hour

Summary/objective

The Crisis Support Clinician is an integral member of the team-based approach to crisis intervention in Delaware's Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) program, providing rapid, trauma-informed, and community-based behavioral health support to children, youth, and their families during times of crisis. the Crisis Support Clinician assists, coordinates, and supports crisis interventions, stabilization planning, and connection to long-term services within Delaware's System of Care. This role emphasizes teaching, practicing, and reinforcing skill-building interventions such as de-escalation, soothing techniques, and safety planning, both with youth and their caregivers. Services are provided in homes, schools, and other community settings to ensure accessibility and family-centered support.

Essential Functions

• Crisis Response & Stabilization:
  In a team-delivery model, respond quickly and effectively to behavioral health crises involving youth ages 2-17.
  Provide de-escalation support and emotional regulation strategies to youth and caregivers.
  Assist the Lead Clinician in providing safety while assessing risk and developing individualized safety and stabilization plans.
  Deliver short-term, strength-based interventions designed to stabilize crises and reduce emergency system utilization.
  Assist parent/guardian with Environment Safety Scan to ensure sharps, medications, and other areas of risk are mitigated, in alignment with the Comprehensive Safety Plan.
  Participate in on-call rotation, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Family Engagement & Support:
  Build rapport with youth and families to foster trust, safety, and collaboration.
  Empower caregivers with tools and strategies to manage behavioral health challenges in the home.
  Support families in navigating acute stress and conflict while promoting resilience and self-efficacy.
  Encourage and reinforce the use of soothing and calming techniques within the home environment.
  Assist in identifying family strengths and protective factors that can be leveraged in crisis planning.
• Connecting to the System of Care:
  Serve as a bridge between families and Delaware's child-serving systems (e.g., DSCYF, Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, education, juvenile justice, child welfare, and community providers).
  Provide warm hand-offs and referrals to behavioral health, peer support, care coordination, and wraparound services.
  Collaborate with system partners to ensure continuity of care and long-term stabilization.
  Advocate for culturally competent, accessible services that meet the needs of youth and families.
  Promote family voice and choice in care planning and service connection.
• Documentation & Compliance:
  Complete timely and accurate documentation of all contacts, interventions, and referrals in compliance with Delaware's MRSS guidelines and agency policy using agency-approved electronic health record systems.
  Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical and professional standards.
  Ensure compliance with state regulations, ethical guidelines, and confidentiality requirements.
  Participate in required trainings and ongoing professional development to maintain proficiency in MRSS service delivery.
• Team Collaboration:
  Work closely with the Lead Clinician and MRSS team to ensure coordinated and effective service delivery.
  Engage in a culture of continuous learning and reflective practice.
  Participate in regular team meetings, reflective supervision, and case coordination sessions.
  Maintain strong communication and coordination with the full MRSS team to ensure timely, consistent care.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work , Psychology, Human Services, or a related behavioral health field required.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience working with children, youth, and families in a behavioral health, community, or crisis setting.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, family systems, and youth development.
• Familiarity with Delaware's System of Care, child-serving systems, and behavioral-health resources preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in high-stress or emotionally charged situations.
• Valid Delaware driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel throughout the assigned county.
• Flexibility to respond to youth and family needs outside of traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends.

Preferred Skills

• Bilingual (Spanish/English or other languages) highly desirable.
• Experience implementing therapeutic interventions or behavioral supports in home or school settings.
• Knowledge of wraparound, care coordination, and family-driven principles of care.
• Prior experience with MRSS or similar mobile crisis models.

EEO:

Del