MOBILE HEALTH SUPPORT RESPONDER

Chapel On the Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Parental leave

Job summary

The Town of Chapel Hill seeks a Health Assessment Specialist to join the CARE Team within the Chapel Hill Police Crisis Division. The role provides non-clinical medical assessments, stabilization support, and care coordination as part of a holistic, person-centered response to behavioral health emergencies.

Work occurs both remotely and on scene, with flexibility for late afternoon and evening shifts. Collaborating with a Crisis Counselor and a Certified Peer Support Specialist, you will connect

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience in mobile crisis response, EMS, outreach work, or related fields.
• Training or experience in harm reduction, trauma-informed care, or crisis intervention.

Responsibilities

• Respond to behavioral health calls with a crisis response team; no law enforcement involvement.
• Provide follow-up contact after stabilization and in various environments (homes, shelters, schools, jails).
• Perform non-invasive observations of physical condition and wellness.
• Identify red-flag symptoms needing EMS or clinical escalation.
• Offer basic first aid within non-licensed scope of practice.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Effective communication

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed approach

Multicultural competence

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Adaptability

Driving awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Summary

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.

Summary

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.

Essential Functions

• 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

Minimum Qualifications

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.

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.

Supplemental Information

• 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.

The Town of Chapel Hill offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to regular full time and part time employees.

Health and Dental Insurance

Health and dental insurance are effective the first day of employment. The town will provide full-time employees group medical and dental insurance including family coverage. Employees and the town will share equally in the additional cost of the medical plan for dependent coverage if employees desire to purchase such coverage for family members. Employees are responsible for the full cost of dependent dental insurance.

Retirement Health Savings Plan

Employees hired after June 30, 2010, in a regular full-time or regular part- time position are required to participate in the Retirement Health Savings Plan. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 1%.

Paid Time Off

• Vacation/Annual Leave: Employees in regular full or part time positions earn between 12 and 26 days per year depending upon length of Town service.
• Sick Leave: Employees in full or part time regular positions earn 12 days per year.
• Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees receive 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave after birth or placement of a child in the home for adoption or foster care. This leave does not come from Employee's leave bank.
• Paid Holidays: There are 12 official Town holidays. Employees in full or part time regular positions are eligible for paid holiday time.
• Personal Leave: All employees in full or part time regular positions are granted 3 days of personal leave per year. This leave is non-cumulative

Local Government Retirement System

All employees in regular full or part time position are required to contribute to the retirement system. Contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. The current contribution amount is 6%.

Supplemental Retirement Plans

• NC 401(k)-The Town makes a contribution of 5% to the 401(k) for all regular full and part time employees. There is no employee match required. Employees have the option of making contributions on a pre or post tax basis. The plan is administered by Empower.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan-Town of Chapel Hill employees have the option of making contributions to a 457. The Town does not make contributions to this plan. The plan is administered by MissionSquare.

Disability Insurance

• Town Provided: The Town provides both short term and long term disability insurance to all regular full or part time employees. The plan will pay up to 50% of the employee's base income up to $462 per week for non-job related injuries.
• Voluntary Short Term Disability: Employees have the option of purchasing supplemental disability insurance. This plan will pay employees a maximum of 25% of their base weekly earnings up to $400.

Life Insurance

The Town provides full and part time regular employees with an individual term life insurance policy. Employees have the option of purchasing additional life insurance for a small fee. Dependent life insurance is also available.

Direct Deposit

All employees hired after July 1, 2007 are required to have direct deposit.

Other Benefits

• Credit Union: Employees of the Town of Chapel Hill are eligible to open accounts at Civic Federal Credit Union.
• Parking is provided free of charge at or near worksites
• Annual longevity payment beginning with the 5th year of full or part time regular employment
• Tuition assistance is available upon completion of the initial probationary period
• Town has a Housing Assistance Program that assists employees secure housing in Town see the following https://www.chapelhillaffordablehousing.org/employee-housing