Designated Crisis Responder - Whatcom

Compass Health In; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid vacation - 16 days in first year

12 sick days plus wellness day

13 paid holidays - 11 set 2 floating

Professional development funds

Education leave

403(b) retirement plan with employer-m

Mileage reimbursement

Job summary

Compass Health in Bellingham, WA is hiring a Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) to join the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT). You will respond to acute behavioral health crises in homes, schools, shelters, and public spaces, providing intervention and assessment to stabilize clients in critical moments.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed, cultural competence, and recovery-focused care with a multidisciplinary team of professionals. A full-time schedule with rotating crisis coverage is offered.

Qualifications

• Crisis intervention and mental health assessments in community settings.
• Evaluate for involuntary detention under RCW 71.05 and 71.34 when clinically necessary.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, hospitals, and family systems to ensure client safety.

Responsibilities

• Deliver crisis intervention and mental health assessments in community settings
• Evaluate for involuntary detention under RCW 71.05 and 71.34 when clinically necessary
• Collaborate with law enforcement, hospitals, and family systems to ensure client safety
• Participate in a rotating schedule of crisis response and after-hours coverage
• Provide clinical documentation and coordination of care using Compass's EMR system

Skills

Crisis intervention

Behavioral health

Emergency response

Collaboration

Documentation

Education

MA/MS/MSW in Behavioral Science-related field

Washington State Licensure in Social Work / MFT / Mental Health Counseling

Agency Aff Coun-Registerd

Job description

Designated Crisis Responder - Whatcom (Finance)

Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) - Full-Time

Location: Bellingham, WA

Program: 500-21360 - MCOT

Schedule: Full-Time | Sun-Tue (3:00 PM-1:00 AM), Sat (9:00 AM-7:00 PM)

Wage: $36.80 - $54.42/hr DOE

Make an Immediate Impact in Your Community

Compass Health is seeking a Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) to join our Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) in Whatcom County. In this role, you'll respond directly to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health crises-wherever they are. Whether it's in homes, schools, shelters, or public spaces, your intervention and assessment skills will help stabilize and support clients in critical moments.

Our MCOT model is trauma-informed, culturally competent, and recovery-focused. You'll work as part of a collaborative team of mental health professionals, peer counselors, and substance use specialists committed to community-based care.

What You'll Be Doing

• Deliver crisis intervention and mental health assessments in community settings
• Evaluate for involuntary detention under RCW 71.05 and 71.34 when clinically necessary
• Collaborate with law enforcement, hospitals, and family systems to ensure client safety
• Participate in a rotating schedule of crisis response and after-hours coverage
• Provide clinical documentation and coordination of care using Compass's EMR system

What You Bring

• MA/MS/MSW in a Behavioral Science-related field
• Washington State Licensure (or equivalent) in Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, or Mental Health Counseling preferred
• Meets criteria for Mental Health Professional (MHP) per WAC
• Must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid WA State Driver's License, reliable vehicle, and insurance
• Proof of Hepatitis B vaccination within 10 days of hire
• Agency Affiliated Counselor registration upon hire (if unlicensed)
• Ability to attend the DCR Academy by the first annual review

What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience in crisis outreach, behavioral health, or emergency response settings
• Familiarity with RCW 71.05 and 71.34
• A calm, strengths-based approach to high-intensity situations
• Commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed care
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills

What We Offer

(Note: Benefits are pro-rated for part-time employees)

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to full-time employees
• 16 days of paid vacation in your first year
• 12 sick days plus a wellness day
• 13 paid holidays - 11 set 2 floating
• $500 in professional development funds annually
• Up to 10 days of paid education leave
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 2% employer match after one year
• Mileage reimbursement
• And much more!

About Compass Health

Compass Health is Northwest Washington's leading private, non-profit behavioral health provider. Serving Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties for over 110 years, we offer a full continuum of care from outpatient and crisis response to residential and substance use services.

We believe in equity, inclusion, and the power of diverse perspectives. Join us in building healthier communities-one crisis intervention at a time.

Compass Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.

Education

Graduate/Masters

Licenses & Certifications

Agency Aff Coun-Registerd