Behavioral Health Specialist
About The Position
The Philadelphia Fire Department's (PFD) division of Mobile Integrated Health (MIH), in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility Services (DBHIDS) and the Criminal Justice Division of the Managing Directors Office (MDO), has developed a behavioral health Alternative Response Unit (ARU-3) for community risk reduction in Philadelphia. This initiative aims to shift away from an all-police response to involuntary commitments (302s), with ARU-3 members engaging individuals who are high utilizers of EMS 911 calls, CRC transports, primary care clinics, and special population 302s. PFD MIH and DBHIDS will provide alternative responses and management for these behavioral health calls. The ARU-3 unit is a collaborative effort to improve behavioral healthcare outcomes, decrease community trauma, and provide services in a strength-based, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach. The unit will comprise various roles including Fire Paramedic Captain, Lieutenant, Service Paramedics, Service EMTs, COC Director, Assistant Director, Clinical Coordinator, Mobile Behavioral Health Crisis Specialists, and an Epidemiologist/Data specialist. The Mobile Behavioral Health Crisis Specialist (MBHCS) will work with individuals and their support systems to assess and de-escalate crises, determine necessary levels of care, offer alternatives to involuntary hospitalization through treatment planning, and coordinate community care with other ARU 3 members. The MBHCS will act as a liaison to community agencies for complex and high-risk clients requiring multiple services. Emergency crisis intervention services may be provided to high-risk individuals (e.g., suicidal, homicidal, psychotic) with the goal of stabilization and finding community treatment alternatives. Consultation with other ARU 3 members regarding referrals to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, or hospital emergency departments will occur. The team's primary objective is to engage individuals and improve their quality of life by connecting them to treatment, rehabilitation, and support services that promote wellness, recovery, integration, and community safety.
Requirements
- Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals and agencies.
- Demonstrate qualities of integrity, stability, creativity, and negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of community-based resources in Philadelphia.
- Familiarity with the DSM V and ASAM criteria.
- Knowledge of basic medical and psychiatric terminology.
- Knowledge of the process for filing a 302 and the documentation required.
- Bachelor’s Degree required in social work, psychology, or a related field.
- 5 years of experience with a strong emphasis on behavioral health/crisis.
- Knowledge of substance use, crisis response, and field experience is a plus.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual is strongly recommended but not required.
Responsibilities
- Engage with community members who are in jeopardy of presenting for psychiatric admission.
- Collaborate with partners to improve behavioral health outcomes for individuals in the community.
- Focus on low acuity 911 calls and 302 means of transport for special populations (children, pregnant, geriatric, etc.).
- Provide behavioral health assessment only for de-escalation (if needed) during encounters.
- Discuss with other ARU 3 members possible interventions for individuals and families.
- Provide connection to behavioral health resources.
- Provide follow-up on recommended services.
- Coordinate linkage to behavioral health, medical and social services.
- Work in the community in collaboration with PFD-Emergency Medical Services when dispatched, this includes riding along with PFD personnel in PFD vehicles.
- Complete documentation for follow-up and data collection.
- Assist individuals and or family members to "navigate" the multiple systems involved in addressing their behavioral health needs.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule (likely non-traditional morning/evening hours and potential evenings) weekends required.
- Work along with multi-agency partners with a willingness to report to a unified command structure.
- Maintain current information on available resources and appropriate Evidence-Based Practices (EBP).
- Collaborate with hospitals (ER/CRCs) to ensure continuity of care (warm hand-off).
- Provide outreach, engagement, and assessment to individuals identified by ARU 3 in need of services.
- Remain physically mobile to provide aggressive outreach in the community to engage individuals and their families.
- Help stabilize and resolve crises while functioning under pressure in challenging situations.
- A willingness to accept training and additional certifications provided as necessary.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
