Mobile Crisis Counselor, Marcus Alert

Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board•Hampton, VA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mobile Crisis Counselor - Marcus Alert provides rapid, clinically sound crisis response for behavioral health, substance use, and homelessness-related calls routed through 911 or the Regional Crisis Call Center (988). This role exists to deliver timely assessment, stabilization, and linkage to care in coordination with community partners. The selected candidate must successfully pass a criminal history fingerprint background investigation, DMV record check, Child Registry search, drug screening test and employment reference checks.

Requirements

Master's degree in human services plus 1 year in a psychiatric care setting
Board of Counseling registration as QMHP (or QMHP-trainee within 30 days)
Completion of pre-admission screener certification modules within 30 days of hire
Strong knowledge of crisis intervention, human/patient rights, confidentiality, consent, DSM-5 conditions, psychotropic medications, and involuntary admission procedures
Must successfully pass a criminal history fingerprint background investigation
Must successfully pass a DMV record check
Must successfully pass a Child Registry search
Must successfully pass a drug screening test
Must successfully pass employment reference checks

Responsibilities

Co-responding in the community with first responders
Completing preliminary mental status and risk assessments
Coordinating referrals, admissions, and assists with transportation to appropriate services (e.g., CSU, inpatient, detox, shelters)
Supporting ECO/TDO processes with required documentation
Maintaining accurate client records
Consulting with clinical staff on complex presentations
Checking in with dispatch pathways and reviewing any updates to Marcus Alert protocols
Staging with your co-response partner as calls come in
Meeting individuals where they are
De-escalating in real time
Aligning next steps with the Regional Crisis Call Center and receiving facilities
Documenting clearly and promptly
Completing follow-up outreach by phone or in person
Coordinating handoffs so care continues after the immediate crisis
Periodic touchpoints with clinical leadership to review challenging situations, refine decision-making, and support consistent, safe practice across partners