Crisis Services Clinician

Thurston Mason BH-ASO/OHRS • Lacey, WA

4d • $28 - $36 • Hybrid

About The Position

Olympic Health and Recovery Services (OHRS) is seeking a Crisis Services Clinician to join their Crisis Response Team serving Thurston and Mason counties. This is a full-time position in a dynamic and rapidly growing organization focused on providing behavioral health crisis and recovery support services. The ideal candidate is adaptable, flexible, positive, and eager to learn, whether experienced in crisis services or new to the field. The Crisis Clinician provides clinical support to the Crisis Services Program, responding to community outreach with Crisis Peer Specialists and handling calls on regional Crisis Helplines.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in psychology, social work, or a related area; or a combination of experience and education in behavioral health coursework substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Current Washington State Driver's License, proof of insurance, and satisfactory driver's record.
• Qualifies as a WA State Agency Affiliated Counselor.
• Satisfactory Washington State Patrol (WSP) criminal background clearances and excluded party sanctions.
• May be subject to additional national background check clearances if assigned to a law enforcement-based team and must be approved for access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).
• Ability to work in active, ongoing partnership with a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) to deliver safe, coordinated, and effective crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization services.
• Ability to collaborate across distinct roles (clinical and Peer) by maintaining clear boundaries, sharing relevant observations, and integrating clinical crisis intervention strategies with lived-experience support from the CPS.
• Ability to work in high stress, high demand environment while communicating clearly and effectively.
• Ability to use Electronic Health Record System for clinical documentation.
• Ability to provide clear documentation of assessments and dispositions.
• Ability to utilize principles of crisis intervention and de-escalation while maintaining strong customer service skills, and empathy.
• Ability to remain calm and professional during escalated situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and respectfully manage differences, opposing perspectives, opinions, and interests.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to change.
• Strong critical thinking skills, ability to conceptualize and implement creative solutions.
• Promote and champion the values of partnership, teamwork, compassion and integrity in all dealings within and outside of OHRS.
• Knowledge of presentation of behavioral health related behaviors.
• Ability to utilize principles of motivational interviewing and additional evidence based practices.
• Ability to work as a team and with assigned partners.
• Actively develop familiarity with systems and community resources.
• Knowledge of conflict resolution principles, de-escalation, and problem-solving techniques.
• Regular, on-site, predictable attendance required.
• Service responsibilities require on-call availability at certain times, including availability during normal business hours and after hours/weekends/holidays as needed.
• Regular use of fleet vehicles required for community-based crisis response across Thurston and Mason counties with occasional travel outside of the 2 county region required.
• May be required to transport clients in a fleet vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Two (2) years of face-to-face crisis outreach experience within a social service or a closely related environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Completes risk assessments to determine if client is at risk for suicide, homicide, or may need immediate response, potentially involving referrals to Law Enforcement or Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) for safety.
• Provides telephone triage services to individuals and third-party referral sources, offering community stabilization services to those in crisis.
• Conducts follow-up phone calls as needed.
• Develops stabilization and safety plans in collaboration with clients and their support systems.
• Responds to referrals and provides mobile crisis intervention and stabilization services in various community settings.
• De-escalates situations as needed during community outreaches, prioritizing safety according to de-escalation and safety training principles without physical interaction during assaultive behavior.
• Responds to requests for information about services for individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health disorders, and other human and social service needs.
• Makes referrals to appropriate service providers and coordinates service delivery.
• Assists the target population with obtaining basic resources such as shelter, food, medical services, behavioral health treatment, and employment.
• Provides outreach, engagement, and liaison support to individuals seen on a recurring basis, potentially including short-term intensive case management.
• Facilitates services for high-need individuals across all involved systems of care.
• Promotes best practices in treatment approaches, support systems, and interventions.
• Meets with and interviews contacts, families, and other care providers to assess needs and eligibility for services.
• Advocates for the needs of clients within and outside the system, liaising between clients, caregivers, and service providers.
• Provides client-level and system-wide troubleshooting and advocacy.
• Consults with other agency professionals on complex cases.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with local jails, behavioral health providers, housing providers, veterans' services, law enforcement agencies, and social service providers.
• Establishes and maintains rapport with the population served.
• Provides information, consultation, and referral services.
• Assists with relocations.
• Monitors client behaviors and progress, provides assistance towards goals, and schedules appointments.
• Develops and recommends procedures for identifying and screening individuals with social service needs.
• Maintains client information in accordance with Federal Regulations (42 CFR, Part 2 and 45 CFR) and other applicable confidentiality laws.
• Maintains physical security of confidential materials and agency property.
• Demonstrates proficiency in using the electronic medical record system.
• Maintains timely and accurate documentation in accordance with Washington State law and best practices.
• Communicates effectively with co-workers in a dynamic environment.
• Supports Crisis and ITA Teams with program deliverables, including provider compliance documentation and encounter tracking.
• Demonstrates professional customer service and phone etiquette.
• Embodies the OHRS mission, purpose, values, and beliefs in all interactions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options)
• Life insurance options
• Disability insurance options
• WA State PERS retirement plans
• Additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options
• PTO package earning a minimum of 140 hours annually
• 12 paid holidays
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level