Co-Response Crisis Counselor, REACH (Nashville, TN)

Mental Health Cooperative•Nashville, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Mental Health Cooperative (MHC) is expanding its REACH Co-Response Program in partnership with the Metro Nashville Fire Department and is hiring four Co-Response Crisis Counselors. This program aims to provide face-to-face crisis intervention, mental health support, and care coordination to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, working alongside the Metro Nashville Fire Department. MHC is recognized as one of Tennessee’s top workplaces, emphasizing a culture where clients and associates are treated with equality. Founded in 1993, MHC initially served individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and has since expanded to include children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee. The organization is dedicated to supporting those challenged by serious mental illness and poverty.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a related field (counseling, psychology or social work)
Valid Tennessee Driver’s License
Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation
Personal Automobile Insurance
"F" Endorsement
Cell Phone
Ability to work independently to make critical decisions.
Ability to work collaboratively as an integral part of a team (crisis team and agency wide team).
Ability to initiate, develop and maintain effective working relationships with Consumers, families, law enforcement and other referral sources.
Understanding and ability to use conflict resolution and negotiation skills in order to defuse difficult situations.
Demonstrates professionalism and empathy with Consumers and referral sources.
Ability to evaluate risk factors and potential risk factors during assessments.
Ability to thoroughly and accurately explain and document assessment and recommended interventions/dispositions.
Solid working knowledge of the DSM diagnostic guidelines.
Utilizes less restrictive alternatives appropriately to address Consumer needs.
Ability to identify and utilize Consumers natural supports when available.
Comprehensive knowledge of community resources and ability to link individuals to appropriate resources.

Nice To Haves

Specialized training in crisis intervention

Responsibilities

Conduct crisis assessment and crisis intervention services to appropriately address the needs of consumers experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
Provide immediate mental health support, coordinate consumer care, and utilize internal/external programs and outside community resources to ensure quality care and reduce engagement with Nashville emergency services.
Ride along in a Fire Department SUV responding to primarily mental health calls for service, while also providing mental health support for the community in other calls for service.
Clinically assess for the least restrictive alternative to meet the needs of consumers experiencing a psychiatric emergency.
Make appropriate referrals to facilities equipped to meet consumer needs when hospitalization is necessary.
Make appropriate referrals to EPS Treatment Services to ensure they have necessary clinical information.
Actively participate in the consult process with supervisory staff when dispositioning cares.
Provide follow-up services as indicated in policies and procedures and set forth in Title 33.
Coordinate with REACH, CIT Co-response, and Mobile Crisis team in cases where intense follow-up and system navigation are needed.
Develop individualized plans to meet the needs of consumers in crisis.
Respond to requests for face-to-face assessment in a timely manner.
Maintain appropriate customer service skills.
Assist Triage Counselors in coordinating crisis response and care with consumers in the community.
Provide telephone counseling when needed.
Maintain accurate clinical records and complete documentation within departmental guidelines.
Coordinate services as needed with care management teams and provide consultation, as needed, with care management teams within and outside the agency.
Assist community agencies with information and/or dispositions.
Educate community agencies as needed on crisis services as directed by supervisory staff.
Assist teammates as needed.