Dispatcher (50831)

WESTCARE INC•Doral, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dispatcher is responsible for a variety of duties involved in receiving, evaluating, prioritizing, and relaying crisis calls to the Mobile Response Team. Key functions include triaging calls based on location and availability, providing crisis intervention services, and conducting initial screenings to determine if an in-person assessment by a Licensed Clinician is required. The role demands the ability to analyze situations, take necessary actions for crisis intervention, and interpret and implement WestCare procedures. The individual must be adept at condensing large amounts of information into clear, intelligible remarks in a timely manner and recalling numerous acronyms and codes. Responsibilities also encompass providing direct counseling services, monitoring client behavior, and following protocols for emergency instructions until appropriate units arrive. The Dispatcher is required to report unusual incidents to their immediate supervisor and participate in decisions regarding client referrals for ancillary services. Documentation for clinical records and other reports, attending interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, and establishing discharge planning parameters are also essential. The position involves ensuring staff adherence to WestCare policies and procedures and may include making recommendations for hiring direct care staff. Regular and consistent attendance is crucial for continuity of counseling services, and the individual must embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation.

Requirements

Excellent communication skills.
Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
Ability to work well in a team environment.
Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality.
Professional appearance and demeanor.
Must be culturally/linguistically sensitive to populations served.
Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Creole.
Ability to obtain and maintain clearance from DCF.
Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare’s vehicle insurance is required.
Two (2) years of experience in behavioral health crisis services.
Familiarity with Miami-Dade County.
Master’s Level Social Worker or Mental Health Counselor.
Ability to comply with new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with.

Responsibilities

Triage calls to the correct team depending on location and availability.
Receive crisis calls and provide crisis intervention services.
Conduct initial screenings and determine if an in-person assessment is required by a Licensed Clinician.
Analyze situations and take necessary actions to provide crisis intervention.
Interpreting and implementing WestCare procedures regarding crisis intervention as appropriate.
Condense large amounts of information into clear, intelligible remarks in a timely manner and can recall numerous acronyms and codes essential to appropriate call processing.
Provide direct counseling services to clients.
Monitor and assess client behavior.
Follows prescribed protocols to provide emergency instruct to callers during high-risk situations until appropriate units arrive.
Report to immediate supervisor any unusual incidents that should be brought to the attention of the Program Director, Clinical Director, Regional Vice President, or regulatory agency.
Participate in decision to refer clients for ancillary services, i.e., family support groups, continuing care groups, etc.
Complete documentation required for clinical records and other reports as assigned.
Attend all interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and establish parameters for discharge planning.
Ensure that all staff following WestCare policies and procedures.
Make recommendations to immediate supervisor regarding interviewing and hiring of direct care staff.
Requires regular and consistent attendance to ensure continuity of counseling services to clients.
Follow all WestCare policies and procedures.
Must embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation;
Perform all other duties as assigned.