Part-Time - Crisis Specialist

Transitions Mental Health Asso•San Luis Obispo, CA

1d•$44 - $48•Onsite

About The Position

The Crisis Specialist provides compassionate, person-centered mobile crisis services to people of all ages experiencing mental health, substance use, or co-occurring behavioral health crises throughout San Luis Obispo County. Guided by Transitions Mental Health Association’s mission and philosophy, the specialist delivers trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, culturally responsive, and harm-reduction-focused services that promote hope, dignity, safety, and self-determination. The role works collaboratively with individuals, families, Crisis Dispatch, community partners, first responders, healthcare providers, and the broader behavioral health system. Services include crisis intervention and assessment, de-escalation and short-term stabilization, collaborative safety planning, evaluation of higher-level-care needs, linkage to ongoing supports, and required follow-up. Specialists who are appropriately trained and designated may conduct evaluations for involuntary detention under applicable Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5150 and 5585. This is a part-time, non-exempt position scheduled for 20 hours per week. The anticipated hiring range is $44.00–$45.00 per hour; the full salary schedule is $44.00–$48.00 per hour. The role is primarily community- and field-based and may take place in residences, hospitals, healthcare settings, shelters, public spaces, law enforcement or first-responder settings, behavioral health facilities, and other locations where crises occur. The program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week; schedules may include day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts. The position includes frequent driving, including transporting TMHA clients, and moderate to substantial physical activity, potentially including moving or lifting up to 50 pounds. Work involves moderate risks requiring safety precautions and may expose the specialist to intense situations. Transitions Mental Health Association is a nonprofit agency providing mental health services and support to individuals and families. Its mission is to eliminate stigma and promote recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community, and family support services.

Requirements

Meet qualifications for an eligible Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis provider type under DHCS BHIN 23-025 appropriate to the role. Qualifying pathways may include California licensure, registration, waiver, certification, or another applicable qualification as a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, professional clinical counselor, psychologist, Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Psychiatric Technician, Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist, or another DHCS-recognized provider type.
For the Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist pathway: a baccalaureate degree and four years of experience in a mental health setting as specified in California regulation. Up to two years of graduate professional education may substitute for experience year-for-year. Up to two years of post-associate arts clinical experience may substitute for the required educational experience, in addition to four years of mental health setting experience.
Successfully complete State-mandated Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis training, TMHA field orientation and competency requirements, and at least 10 hours of annual position-relevant training required by DHCS, San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health, and TMHA.
If assigned to conduct WIC 5150/5585 evaluations, complete the required training and obtain and maintain appropriate County designation.
Experience providing behavioral health crisis intervention, assessment, de-escalation, or other high-acuity behavioral health services.
Availability to work assigned shifts in a 24/7 program, potentially including days, evenings, awake overnights, weekends, holidays, field responses, required meetings and training, and other in-person activities.
Proficiency with computers and ability to learn and use electronic health records, Mobile Crisis documentation tools, mobile devices, email, and other field-operation technology; ability to document time-sensitive information accurately, prioritize urgent needs, and complete documentation within established timelines.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate communication, care coordination, and effective handoffs with Crisis Dispatch, team members, supervisors, system partners, and providers.
Strong interpersonal skills, a collaborative work style, and strong oral, written, and communication skills.
Well-developed organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to work independently and flexibly.
Ability to handle intense situations, exercise good judgment and decision-making, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.
Ability to work effectively with people of varied ages, backgrounds, identities, and socioeconomic levels.
Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.
Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude.
Willingness to work with supervisor oversight and direction, recognize when consultation or additional support is needed, seek consultation appropriately, and respond constructively to feedback.
Ability to meet the attendance requirements of a position involving face-to-face interaction with clients and/or employees.
Ability to promote equality and respect diversity, and to deliver culturally responsive services.
Knowledge of dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race, and ethnicity.
Demonstrated commitment to each person’s dignity, self-determination, safety, recovery, meaningful community participation, and access to competent and continuous support and services.
Use reasonable precautions and follow applicable safety rules and practices to help ensure the safety of oneself, coworkers, clients, and others contacted through TMHA business.
Be at least 18 years old and possess a valid California driver’s license, at least two years of driving experience, and a DMV record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements; may need to use a reliable personal vehicle with auto insurance.
Comply with a TB assessment (and a TB test if needed to confirm a negative result) and obtain criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.
Successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

Nice To Haves

Spanish bilingual skills.
Prior training or experience in suicide prevention and intervention.

Responsibilities

Provide timely, compassionate, trauma-informed, person-centered crisis intervention to people experiencing behavioral health crises in community settings.
Conduct comprehensive behavioral health crisis assessments, including assessment of risk, safety, symptoms, substance use, supports, and immediate needs; when appropriately trained and designated, evaluate criteria for involuntary detention under WIC sections 5150 and 5585.
Provide short-term stabilization through evidence-informed de-escalation, collaborative safety planning, problem solving, engagement, and person-centered intervention.
Identify and support the least restrictive appropriate disposition based on the person’s needs, preferences, safety, supports, and clinical presentation.
Coordinate with Crisis Dispatch and other partners when a higher level of care is indicated, including coordination for psychiatric evaluation, placement, hospital coordination, transportation, or other disposition.
Facilitate referrals and connections to behavioral health and substance use treatment, medical care, housing, social services, peer and recovery supports, and other community resources.
Provide required post-crisis follow-up by telephone or in person, as assigned and in accordance with program, County, and Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis requirements.
Provide information and support regarding substance use, harm reduction, treatment options, recovery supports, and community resources.
Maintain accurate, timely, compliant documentation in electronic health records and designated systems, including required screening, assessment, disposition, safety-planning, follow-up, and data documentation.
Communicate professionally with Crisis Dispatch, hospitals, emergency responders, law enforcement, EMS, providers, agencies, family or support persons when appropriate, and other partners.
Participate in communication and handoff processes with Crisis Dispatch regarding response status, disposition, pending needs, safety concerns, and continuity of operations.
Maintain awareness of personal, partner, team, and environmental safety and follow established field-safety, consultation, and emergency-response procedures.
Maintain required training, competencies, certifications, and County designation relevant to assigned responsibilities.
Promote trauma-informed, collaborative, person-centered, culturally responsive, recovery-oriented, and harm-reduction practices.
Attend required staff meetings, case consultations, debriefings, training, and other program meetings.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Mobile Crisis Team Lead.