Crisis Counselor l

Volunteers Of America Western Washington•Everett, WA

3d•$25 - $28•Remote

About The Position

Volunteers of America 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 that allow us to better serve and uplift our community – and each other. This full-time, hourly position provides crisis intervention, suicide prevention, information & referral, and brief supportive counseling to clients who are in emotional distress and/or seeking information about mental health services. The Crisis Counselor I interacts with clients via telephone. They also provide professional consultation to determine what less restrictive options are appropriate and triages requests for face-to-face mental health evaluations and dispatch the appropriate teams to conduct the evaluation.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or related field required.
At least one (1) year of experience in a healthcare contact center and/or in mental health counseling
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
Courteous 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
Efficiency in documenting notes in electronic medical records
High-Speed Internet: Minimum download speed of 100Mbps and upload speed of 10Mbps.
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

Deliver crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and brief supportive counseling to individuals experiencing emotional distress
Conduct client assessments in alignment with regional and program policies and procedures
Manage client interactions to ensure appropriate, timely, and efficient support tailored to their needs
Adhere to established policies and procedures while maintaining accurate, efficient documentation of client interactions
Achieve or exceed key performance indicators as defined by program goals
Utilize current technologies to engage effectively with clients and community members
Provide professional assessments, consultations, and service coordination
Participate in staff meetings and local and regional training sessions
Mentor and coach new staff to ensure team competency and growth
Offer back-up coverage for other Regional Crisis Line and 988 programs as needed
Contribute to an environment that focuses on ensuring integrity, respect, and accountability
Other duties as assigned