Crisis Service Safety Technician

Claratel Behavioral Health•Decatur, GA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Crisis Service Technician (CST) provides direct client care and supports intake, triage, crisis intervention, therapeutic engagement, and ongoing monitoring of client safety and progress in the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) and Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at the DeKalb Regional Crisis Center. The role helps maintain facility safety, security, environmental standards, and a structured, recovery-oriented setting while supporting clinicians, nurses, and case managers. CSTs serve on the Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT), help facilitate treatment activities, and provide professional, empathetic, trauma-informed support. The DeKalb Regional Crisis Center provides crisis intervention and stabilization services for adults. Its services include rapid intake, triage, and evaluation through PES; monitoring and evaluation for up to 24 hours in Temporary Observation; and 5–7-day CSU admissions for psychiatric stabilization and/or withdrawal management, including crisis counseling, medication, and discharge planning. The position includes direct engagement with clients and families, safety checks and crisis response, documentation and communication with the care team, support for treatment and discharge planning, and maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment. The role requires responding to behavioral or medical emergencies and may involve exposure to unpredictable or aggressive behavior. Pre-employment drug screening and successful completion of a criminal history background check are required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Strong communication, interpersonal, and de-escalation skills.
Ability to remain calm, professional, and client-centered in high-stress situations.
Proficiency with EHR systems such as Avatar, BHL, or Xferral, and basic computer literacy.
Ability to stand, walk, and observe for extended periods.
Ability to lift 25–50 pounds and assist clients with mobility when needed.
Ability to execute physical containment and manual hold maneuvers.
Ability to respond rapidly to behavioral or medical emergencies.
Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening and criminal history background check.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or coursework in psychology, social work, or human services.
At least one year of experience in behavioral health, inpatient psychiatric, crisis, or correctional settings.

Responsibilities

Greet clients, families, and law enforcement partners and provide education and emotional support upon arrival.
Document arrival times, demographics, and initial observations; assist with intake documentation, safety screenings, and consent forms.
Secure personal belongings, conduct contraband searches, and follow PES safety protocols and weapons-free screening procedures.
Collect vital signs and behavioral observations under the direction of nursing or clinical staff.
Verify insurance eligibility using systems such as Availity, GAMMIS, or Xferral.
Ensure visitors complete confidentiality acknowledgements and are tracked through sign-in and sign-out procedures.
Engage clients in structured and diversionary activities, maintain a presence in treatment areas, and build rapport to help clients feel safe.
Conduct and document routine safety checks, environmental rounds, and room inspections for ligature risks or contraband.
Monitor clients for escalating behavior, withdrawal symptoms, or psychiatric distress, and take proactive steps to mitigate safety risks.
Promote a person-centered environment that respects individuals’ rights and serve as a resource in crisis de-escalation and least restrictive interventions.
Respond to emergencies and participate in BERT interventions using approved de-escalation strategies.
Assist with seclusion and restraint procedures when necessary and in accordance with policy.
Maintain secure storage of restricted items, safeguard client property, and serve as designated safety officer when onsite.
Support individualized treatment plans by reinforcing therapeutic goals and interventions.
Encourage participation in WRAP, SNAP, and personal recovery goals.
Assist with discharge planning by reinforcing follow-up instructions and preparing clients for transitions to community or residential care; ensure clients leave with documented personal belongings.
Record shift notes, observations, and interventions in the EHR and complete critical incident reports.
Communicate facility damage and critical client inventory needs to the operations team; document collection and distribution of client belongings.
Update census boards and systems such as Avatar and Behavioral Health Link (BHL).
Communicate with nursing, clinical, and case management staff during handoffs and promptly report status changes, incidents, and safety concerns.
Answer phones, triage inquiries, and assist with administrative duties as assigned.
Maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment in PES and CSU; keep group, recreational, and safety supplies stocked and report maintenance needs.
Follow Claratel BH, DBHDD, HIPAA, and CARF standards and maintain client confidentiality.
Complete and maintain required certifications, including CPR, First Aid, MindSet, and Defensive Driving, and participate in mandatory ongoing training.