MHP Crisis Outreach Specialist - Night Shift, MRRCT

Downtown Emergency Service Center•Seattle, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

As a member of DESC’s Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT), the Mental Health Professional responds to adults in the community experiencing mental health or substance use crises, following referrals from Crisis Connections (988) and other referents. Working in teams of two with Crisis Outreach Specialists and Certified Peer Counselors, the specialist meets people where they are in the community, identifies therapeutic options and next steps, and helps resolve crises while avoiding unnecessary emergency-room or jail use. The team follows up to help ensure people connect with recommended services and to prevent future crisis events. The team serves the central region of King County, primarily Seattle, in varied community settings throughout the year and in 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 MRRCT provides mobile crisis response and connects people in crisis with support and services. The position is full-time on a 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 another superseding credential meeting RCW 71.05.020 requirements for a Mental Health Professional authorized to independently conduct mental health assessments and make mental health 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.
Ability to pass a Washington State criminal background check.
Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain 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 contributing 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.
Ability and willingness 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 varied backgrounds and 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.
Ability to accept feedback and work collaboratively in a potentially stressful environment.

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 as defined by WAC 246-341.
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, engage meaningfully with clients, develop the knowledge and skills of an effective crisis worker, and respond nonjudgmentally to sensitive issues.

Responsibilities

Provide timely outreach and crisis intervention, assessment, referral, and linkage to services in response to referrals from Crisis Connections and other sources, including police, fire, and medics.
As a Mental Health Professional on a multidisciplinary team, conduct multi-axial and substance use disorder assessments and provide crisis intervention, stabilization, and meaningful engagement.
Establish and implement plans to engage clients with 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 relevant Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington provisions.
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 during client crises 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 for clients on caseload.
Participate in verbal de-escalation and assist staff as needed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
Perform other duties as assigned.