Designated Crisis Responder - Pacific County Sheriff's Department

Join our Olympic Health and Recovery Services (OHRS) Crisis Services team in a position that provides Involuntary Treatment Assessments (ITA) and crisis outreach to the Pacific County community. This position works in partnership with Pacific County Sheriff’s Department as part of a co-response team.

The Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) is responsible for providing care to meet the physical and psychological needs in crisis and emergency situations. Provides mobile crisis intervention and clinical assessments to adults, children, and families. Provides involuntary treatment services according to RCW 71.05 and 71.34 (Involuntary Treatment Act, ITA) for individuals through direct and indirect services in a manner consistent with Rehabilitation and Recovery principles.

Salary Range: $40.01 - $52.91 per hour DOE.

This position is eligible for shift differential ($1/HR evenings, $3/HR weekends and nights). This position is eligible for a $2.50/HR special duty pay incentive.

A $5,000K signing bonus is offered, paid in quarterly amounts.

Schedule: Day Shift, 4 - 10 hours shifts. 

This position is a new position with flexibility for either a Sunday through Wednesday, or Wednesday through Saturday schedule.

This position is open until filled. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs ITA investigations, evaluations, and associated DCR tasks, including petition writing, testifying in court, monitoring and petitioning for LRA’s
• Performs ITA and crisis evaluations in a variety of settings to include, but not limited to, hospitals, jails, schools, community, or court-ordered evaluations

ITA evaluation and investigations include:

• interviewing available family, friends, or other individuals with relevant information.
• Informing individuals of their involuntary treatment rights.
• Determine if the individual meets criteria for involuntary treatment or if less restrictive options are available.
• Develop individualized safety plans and treatment recommendations to ensure client and community safety, or locate an available treatment bed if criteria for detention is met.
• Serve the individual with their legal paperwork.
• Provides information and education to the community regarding mental illness and involuntary commitment laws.
• Provides screening and triage services by telephone and face-to-face.
• Possesses in-depth knowledge of community resources and ability to access resources and address client needs.
• Maintains familiarity with and handles client information in accordance with Federal Regulations (42 CFR, Part 2), the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 71.05.390 and RCW 71.24), and other applicable laws pertaining to confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintains timely and accurate documentation in accordance with Washington State law and current best practices.

As part of the Co-Response team, you will:

• Develop a network of working relationships with Pacific County Sheriff’s Department, Pacific County Jail, Willapa Harbor Hospital, Ocean Beach Hospital, Pacific County court system, behavioral health treatment providers, community mobile crisis teams, emergency housing providers, other Law Enforcement agencies and social service providers.
• Establish and maintain rapport with the population served.
• Provide information, consultation, and referral.
• Monitor contact behaviors and progress, provide assistance toward attaining pre-determined goals, and schedule appointments.
• Follow-up with identified individuals in an effort to bridge gaps between law enforcement and/or emergency medical contacts and social service providers.
• Develop and recommend procedures for identifying and screening people with social service needs.

BENEFITS:
TMBH-ASO/OHRS provides comprehensive benefits for full-time employees including medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options), and life insurance and disability insurance options.  Eligible employees participate in WA State PERS retirement plans and employees may elect additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options.   Employees receive a PTO package earning a minimum of 140 hours annually and 12 paid holidays.  Other tax deferred options include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). 

OHRS is an approved Public Student Loan Forgiveness employer.  We pay the fees for required DOH licenses for the position, and we offer annual professional development funds.

Find more information at www.tmbhcareers.org. 

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:

• Master’s Degree or further advanced degree in counseling or one of the social sciences
• Meets WA state qualifications as a Mental Health Professional
• Qualifies as a Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor or be licensed in the state by the WA Department of Health as a Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychologist or BSN/RN.
• Valid WA State Driver’s license, satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), proof of insurance and availability of a vehicle is required
• Satisfactory and acceptable Washington State Patrol criminal background check.
• Co-Responders are subject to Criminal Justice Information Services clearance approval.
• Additional regulatory, contractual or local requirements may apply.

Preferred:

• Two (2) years experience providing crisis intervention services
• Licensed Substance Use Disorder Professional
• Fully licensed Mental Health Professional
• Previous DCR experience

SKILLS & ABILLITIES:

• Ability to use the principles of recovery and person-centered treatment within the context of involuntary treatment assessment
• Ability to write clear and concise petitions, reports and correspondence
• Provide technical assistance and education to families, providers and local agencies
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups regarding complex or controversial public policy issues or service as well as establish and maintain effective working relations with elected officials, staff and the community
• Ability to utilize equipment and software to include Microsoft Surface, Microsoft Office Suite, cell phones, electronic health records, and other software applications as assigned.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and respectfully manage differences, opposing perspectives, opinions, and interests.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to change.
• Strong critical thinking skills, ability to conceptualize and implement creative solutions.
• Knowledge of RCW 71.05 and 71.34
• Knowledge of DCR protocols
• Promote and champion the values of partnership, teamwork, compassion and integrity in all dealings within and outside of OHRS.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Primarily works in the community including jails, inpatient facilities, residential facilities, individual’s homes, and in an office environment
• Often performed under physically demanding, stressful, and environmentally diverse conditions, and requires the ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities and demands.
• This position does not physically interact with clients in the event of assaultive behavior, but works to maintain safety in accordance with the principles of crisis de-escalation and safety training.
• This position will expose you to conversations and situations that include suicide, mental health issues, domestic violence, substance use and crisis situations.
• Utilize assigned equipment and applications in offsite locations.
• Service responsibilities require on-call availability, including availability during normal business hours and after hours/weekends/holidays as needed
• DCR position is an essential position and may be required to have flexible working hours.
• Regular use of fleet vehicles and/or personal vehicle required.  Travel response includes the Pacific County region and may include travel across the Great Rivers 5 county region. On occasion, travel to primary OHRS location in Thurston County may be required with advance notice.
• Regular, on site, predictable attendance is required.
• Moderate physical exertion is required.  May be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time, squat, walk short to moderate distances on uneven terrain, walk up and down stairs, get in and out of vehicles quickly, lift or move up to 25 lbs.  
• Daily, regular use of computer required.
• Community outreach may be performed in outdoor settings and subject to weather conditions.