MOBILE HEALTH SUPPORT RESPONDER

Town of Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Chapel Hill is seeking a Health Assessment Specialist for the Crisis Assistance, Response, and Engagement (CARE) Team. This role provides non-clinical medical assessments, stabilization support, and care coordination during mobile crisis responses in varying environments, partnering with a Crisis Counselor and a Peer Support Specialist.

The position emphasizes evidence-based, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and strong community engagement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s preferred.

Responsibilities

• Respond with a team to behavioral health calls that do not require a law enforcement response.
• Provide follow-up contact with appropriate parties after stabilization.
• Perform non-invasive observational assessments of physical condition and wellness.
• Identify red-flag symptoms requiring escalation to EMS or clinical providers.
• Offer basic first aid within non-licensed scope.
• Assist in environmental and safety assessments.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Non-clinical assessment

Communication skills

Harm reduction

Trauma-informed care

Multicultural competence

Teamwork

Documentation

Decision making

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in human services

Bachelor’s degree in public health

Tools

Word processing

Database software

Job description

This position is part of the Chapel Hill Police Crisis Division and is primarily assigned to the Crisis Assistance, Response, and Engagement (CARE) Team. The CARE Team is a mobile, alternative response unit that provides immediate crisis intervention and support with the goal of promoting stability and reducing the need for law enforcement involvement, emergency psychiatric hospitalization, or incarceration. This work is carried out through both remote and on-scene response, as well as proactive incident follow-up. The team responds in person or virtually to behavioral health emergencies that do not require a law enforcement presence.

The purpose of this position is to provide non-clinical medical assessments, stabilization support, health education, and care coordination as part of a CARE Team response. Working alongside a Crisis Counselor and a Certified Peer Support Specialist, the Health Assessment Specialist contributes to a holistic, person-centered approach by evaluating basic physical health needs, supporting emotional and physiological stabilization, and connecting individuals with ongoing services.

This position is scheduled for late afternoon and evening shifts. Flexibility is required, as work hours may change to meet the evolving needs of the team, department, and community.

This is a grant-funded, time-limited position.

• Respond with a team, that also includes a Crisis Counselor and a peer support specialist, to behavioral health calls that do not require a law enforcement response.
• Provide follow-up contact with appropriate parties once situation is stabilized. Must be willing to deliver services in varying environments such as homes, schools, jails, homeless shelters, campsites, and various community locations.
• Perform non-invasive observational assessments of physical condition, mobility, hydration, injuries, and overall wellness.
• Identify red-flag symptoms requiring escalation to EMS or clinical providers.
• Provide supportive interventions focused on physical comfort, grounding techniques, and reducing physiological distress (e.g., during panic attacks).
• Offer basic first aid within non-licensed scope of practice.
• Assist in environmental and safety assessments (heat/cold exposure, fall risks, medication mismanagement, etc.).

• Deliver health-related education tailored to the individual’s needs (chronic conditions, wellness strategies, substance use harm reduction, understanding vital signs, etc.).
• Act as a liaison and support clients in navigating medical and social service systems, including connecting them with primary care, urgent care, behavioral health, transportation, and community resources.
• Work closely with team members during crisis calls to support both physical and behavioral health needs.
• Participate in debriefings, case staffing, and interdisciplinary coordination.
• Maintain strong community knowledge of local resources to support whole-person crises.
• Collaborate with other community resources for referrals, information sharing and continuity of care.
• Provide external and internal training on Crisis related issues. Assist with the development and delivery of community programming.
• Participate in community outreach and engagement activities
• Ensure up-to-date knowledge and methods of profession by attending and participating in training, participating with professional supervision, and other staff developmental activities
• Document findings clearly and accurately in accordance with program protocols
• Perform other duties as required

High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, public health, or related field preferred.

Experience:

• Previous experience in mobile crisis response, EMS, outreach work, community health, or related fields.
• Training or experience in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, or crisis intervention.

Certification:

Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the state of North Carolina and ability to operate a government vehicle.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of basic human physiology, wellness indicators, and red-flag symptoms.
• Ability to maintain boundaries and work within a defined non-clinical scope.
• Strong theoretical and practical understanding of crisis intervention methods and techniques
• Strong understanding of best practices relating to duties of the position and the ability to work independently, making sound decisions based on best practices, laws, policies, and procedures.
• Commitment to person-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed practices.
• Proficiency in and commitment to multicultural competence and experience working with individuals from culturally diverse populations, including underrepresented and/or underserved populations.
• Ability to work variable hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, community members, and supervisors.
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility.
• Model behavior consistent with our town’s values of RESPECT.
• Utilize a computer and various word processing and database software applications.

Proficiency in and commitment to multicultural competence and experience working with individuals from culturally diverse populations, including underrepresented and/or underserved populations.

Supervision Exercised

None

Physical Demands

This work requires physical stamina, including long periods of standing and walking with intermittent periods of sitting at a desk or table. May require hiking and walking in areas of uneven surfaces.

Work Environment

This is a mobile, field-based crisis response position.

• This classification has been designated as Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• The position is driving essential and must conform to the Town's Safe Driving and Accident Policy and procedures.