988 WA Online Crisis Counselor I (67150)

Volunteers Of America Western Washington•Everett, WA

1d•$25 - $28

About The Position

Volunteers of America Western Washington is a non-profit organization operating in Western Washington for over 125 years. Our Christian roots drive us to put our faith into action for the benefit of every member of the community. We celebrate our unique perspectives and lived experiences that allow us to better serve and uplift our community – and each other. Volunteers of America Western Washington is officially a designated CARE trauma informed organization. About Care Crisis Response Services (CCRS): CCRS is a 24/7 crisis center offering suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and professional consultation services, including behavioral health evaluations. We provide brief crisis counseling and help clients identify appropriate services for their behavioral health crises. Our operations include regional and 988 crisis lines across Washington State. General Function: The primary responsibility of this full-time, hourly position is to respond to online chats and texts from 988/The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Online Crisis Counselor provides non-judgmental, empathic crisis support using a crisis intervention model and, when necessary, suicide prevention techniques, to Visitors in self-defined crisis. This role also includes welcoming and coaching new counselors, offering ongoing support and consultation, and performing imminent risk assessments and mandated reporting in accordance with policy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in a social science/behavioral health or related field and one (1) year experience in a mental health or related position
Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration is required within 30 days of employment, or equivalent, and must remain in active status during employment
Passing a typing test with a score of 35 WPM or higher
Demonstrated respect for diversity
Fluency in English (oral and written)
Courteous, empathic, and professional demeanor
Proficiency in Motivational Interviewing and active listening
Strong problem-solving and information-gathering skills
Superior communication skills to convey information clearly and effectively
Ability to multitask, including talking and typing simultaneously
Respect for diversity and cultural competency
Efficiency in documenting notes in electronic medical records
High-Speed Internet: Minimum download speed of 100Mbps and upload speed of 10Mbps. To ensure smooth workflow, you will be required to provide a recent internet speed test result as proof
Secured Wired Connection: A direct wired connection to the internet using a secured ethernet cable is mandatory. Wireless connections (WiFi) are not allowed due to potential security risks and performance limitations
No Satellite Internet: Satellite internet service providers such as HughesNet, Starlink, or Visat are not supported due to latency issues that can negatively impact service delivery

Responsibilities

Respond to incoming chats and texts, providing crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and brief supportive counseling to individuals in emotional distress or considering suicide
Conduct safety assessments in line with agency policies, funding requirements, accreditation standards, and Lifeline Best Practices
Manage client interactions to ensure the appropriate level of support is provided efficiently
Initiate police intervention procedures if a Visitor is identified as at immediate risk of harm to themselves or others
Adhere to applicable state and federal laws, including HIPAA confidentiality requirements and mandated reporting (e.g., CPS, APS referrals, Tarasoff Duty to Warn)
Collaborate with the crisis counselor team and Shift Leads on complex cases, ensuring a team-based decision-making process
Consult with Shift Leads and Master's-level Crisis Shift Managers on compliance issues, including mandatory reporting, HIPAA, Tarasoff Duty to Warn, and imminent risk
Use Microsoft Teams to communicate with remote staff and 988 Crisis Shift Leads
Participate in staff meetings and training sessions focused on enhancing clinical skills and professional development
Mentor and coach new staff to support their growth and integration into the team
Contribute to an environment that focuses on ensuring integrity, respect, accountability, and trauma informed service
Other duties as assigned