MHP Crisis Outreach Specialist - Night Shift, MRRCT

DESC • Seattle, WA

3d • $84,337 - $93,115 • Onsite

About The Position

As a member of DESC's Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT), the Mental Health Professional responds to adults experiencing mental health or substance use crises, with referrals dispatched by Crisis Connections (988) and other community referents. Working in teams of two alongside Crisis Outreach Specialists and Certified Peer Counselors, the specialist meets people where they are in the community, helps identify therapeutic options and next steps, and works to avoid unnecessary emergency-room or jail use. Teams follow up after initial contact to support service connections and help prevent future crises. The work takes place throughout central King County, primarily Seattle, in varied community settings and all types of weather.

DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider serving people experiencing long-term homelessness and complex behavioral health and medical conditions. Its Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team is a county-funded program addressing imminent and emergent community crises in central King County.

This position works the night shift from 11:00 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., with Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off. It is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

Requirements

• Be eligible for a Licensed AAC credential or a superseding credential meeting RCW 71.05.020 requirements for a Mental Health Professional whose scope includes independently conducting mental health assessments and making diagnoses.
• Master's degree in social work, psychology, or another relevant behavioral science.
• Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle for agency business; current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record required.
• Pass a Washington State criminal background check.
• Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and retain in traditional mental health or substance use disorder programs.
• Familiarity with recovery principles, crisis intervention and stabilization, integrated treatment of co-occurring disorders, intensive case management, illness management, trauma-informed treatment, and relevant evidence-based or emerging best practices.
• Knowledge of harm reduction strategies.
• Strong working knowledge of DSM-IV and its successor.
• Ability to quickly assess situations and respond appropriately to mental health or chemical dependency crises to ensure clients' physical and psychological safety.
• Willingness to understand each client's circumstances, preferences, and goals and incorporate them into crisis response.
• Ability to help clients access internal resources and identify unmet needs that may contribute to recurrent crises.
• Strong understanding of recovery and resilience, client partnerships and choice, and balancing protection from harm with personal dignity.
• Strong communication and writing skills.
• Willingness and ability to provide community outreach anywhere in King County from which a referral may originate.
• Familiarity with the King County crisis response system, relevant community resources, and methods of access.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant or bizarre behavior.
• Commitment to cooperation and continuity across programs and to treating program participants with consideration and respect.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Spanish and English.
• Bicultural background or experience and/or qualification as an Ethnic Minority, DD, or Geriatric Mental Health Specialist under the WAC 246-341 definition.
• Two years of experience providing crisis intervention services in mental health and/or substance use disorder settings.
• Meets criteria as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP).
• Ability to respond positively and empathetically to all persons, value meaningful and deep client engagement, demonstrate potential to develop effective crisis-worker knowledge and skills, and respond nonjudgmentally to sensitive issues.
• Ability to accept feedback and work in a highly collaborative and potentially stressful environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely crisis outreach, intervention, assessment, referral, and linkage to services in response to Crisis Connections and other referents, including police, fire, and medics.
• Provide multi-axial and substance use disorder assessments, crisis intervention, stabilization, and meaningful engagement as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Establish and implement plans to engage clients in relevant services and resources.
• Provide follow-up services to help program participants connect with services.
• Complete required data collection and documentation.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with programs serving the population.
• Comply with agency policies and procedures and applicable Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington requirements.
• Advocate for clients' access to community resources and services, protect their rights, and collaborate with community providers to support continuity of care.
• Support other DESC staff and programs with client crisis situations through consultation and in-person responses to assess and prevent emerging crises.
• Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings, in-service training, clinical reviews, and case conferences.
• Participate in verbal de-escalation and assist staff as needed to maintain a safe, secure environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Dental, life, long-term disability, and medical insurance; employee coverage has no premiums or payroll deductions.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• ORCA card subsidy.
• Paid Time Off (34 days per year).
• Retirement plan.
• $1.00 per hour shift differential.

What This Job Offers

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