Crisis Specialist, Psych

University of Rochester•Town of Henrietta, NY

1d•$20 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Crisis Specialist is a professional member of the Department of Psychiatry's Monroe County Mobile Crisis Team, serving people experiencing complex mental health crises in a variety of community settings across Monroe County. The role provides expertise about community resources and agencies and supports continuity of care through direct and indirect communication with people involved in a patient's care. The specialist responds to psychiatric crises at off-site locations, including homes and group homes; interviews patients and families alongside a Crisis Therapist; and provides emotional and practical support, advocacy, referrals, and connections to resources. The position helps patients access Medicaid and other social services, supports and educates families and agencies, and assists with arrangements for food, shelter, or transportation. The specialist visits patients in community settings to monitor progress and treatment-plan compliance, explains care-plan needs and expectations to patients and families, and makes recommendations to mental health professionals. The role coordinates with service providers and family members to implement treatment plans, support appropriate community services, and facilitate transitions into designated placements. It also documents contacts and patient progress, assists with resource-related paperwork, participates in data collection and quality improvement, and takes part in a rotational after-hours on-call group as backup to Life Line. The position requires a valid New York State driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.

Requirements

Associate's degree.
Two years of experience in human services, preferably in a psychiatric crisis or emergency setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Availability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Effective communication and teaching skills.
Ability to empathize with families and/or support systems.
Valid New York State driver's license and satisfactory driving record.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak Spanish or Vietnamese, or fluency in American Sign Language.

Responsibilities

Respond to patients experiencing mental health crises at off-site locations, including homes, group homes, and other community settings.
Interview patients and families in coordination with a Crisis Therapist.
Provide emotional and tangible support, advocacy, and linkage to resources for patients and family members; facilitate referrals.
Confer with community agencies, therapists, and law enforcement agencies as requested by the Crisis Therapist.
Help patients access Medicaid and other social services.
Provide support and education to families and agencies involved with patients in psychiatric crisis.
Promote and ensure continued staff education about multicultural factors affecting patient care and treatment.
Assist with planning for patients' food, shelter, and transportation needs.
Visit patients in community settings to assess progress toward care-plan goals and monitor treatment-plan compliance.
Teach, guide, and assist patients and family members in understanding patient needs and care-plan expectations.
Make treatment-plan recommendations to mental health professionals.
Coordinate with service providers and family members to implement treatment plans, support appropriate use of community services, facilitate transitions to designated placements, and suggest services that support patients' functioning in the community.
Maintain contact with psychiatric service providers to assess placement appropriateness, patient progress, and supplemental needs.
Implement intervention strategies with minimal supervision from a mental health professional.
Document patient contacts and progress in the medical record and assist patients with paperwork and correspondence needed to connect with resources.
Communicate with the home base about the team's location, estimated arrival time, and need for additional support.
Participate in a rotational on-call group as backup to Life Line during evening and weekend hours, and respond to community psychiatric crises after hours as necessary.
Attend weekly meetings and participate in Quality Improvement activities.
Maintain knowledge of community-resource policies and procedures; help families identify needs, connect with resources, and advocate for them.
Participate in education and training for providing services to patients in psychiatric crisis and in data collection for Mobile Crisis services.
Model ICARE Values and support diversity and inclusion approaches that reduce stigma, engage patients, and promote patient-driven decision-making with the clinical leadership team.
Perform other duties as assigned.