DCR - Designated Crisis Responder

You can do the work you love, be your authentic self, and make an impact in the lives of thousands. We believe in a culture rooted in community, collaboration, and growth. As an agency we are inspired by our Mission of bringing hope to life, especially those most in need.

Wage: - $85,000 - $95,000

Discretionary Sign On Bonus: $20,000 - $30,000

Relocation: negotiable

Benefits include:

• Medical/Dental
• 403(b) Retirement
• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation & sick leave
• Education Assistance Program
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Longevity awards
• And more!

Position Summary:

This position will have responsibility for providing direct crisis evaluation and intervention in the delivery of acute crisis services provided by Catholic Charities. The Designated Crisis Responder will provide clinical services and specialist consultation to other Mobile Crisis team members (as applicable) in addition to fulfilling the duties of a Designated Crisis Responder.

The Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) is part of the team that provides crisis outreach services to individuals experiencing acute emotional distress and/or mental health crisis, with the goal to stabilize the individual in the least restrictive setting possible. DCRs provide evaluations under the Involuntary Treatment Act to include both mental health and substance abuse. The DCR utilizes crisis intervention techniques to facilitate diversion from hospitalization through individual stabilization in the community whenever possible. The DCR assesses the individual's risk to self, others, or property and evaluates individuals to determine if there is a need for detention under the Involuntary Treatment Act due to the presence of a grave disability. The DCR also assesses the community and family resources available to manage the individual in the least restrictive setting possible and works to develop plans with the individual and family that are appropriate to the individual's needs and circumstances. The DCR formulates appropriate clinical decisions based upon assessment data, and interacts with the medical community and others in the community to develop and implement community-based treatment options to stabilize/maintain stability.

Responsibilities:

Provides crisis and intake assessments

• Diagnosis, brief support services, and case management in a culturally competent manner within the most appropriate environment
• Utilizes crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques
• Assesses each individual for risk to self, others, or property and the presence of a grave disability, and formulates and implements appropriate clinical decisions based upon assessment data.

Provides treatment planning

• Develops an appropriate plan of treatment supporting recovery concepts by incorporating the individual's and family's strengths, barriers and needs into the plan components
• Documents clear problem statement and treatment goals/objectives in an individuals own voice
• Formulates measurable, achievable goals and objectives, in collaboration with the individual

Supports crisis programs

• Triaging telephone calls, meeting with walk in clients, and/or working with individuals in the Hospital Diversion or Stabilization units, as assigned

Establishes and maintains working relationships with community resources

• Works with hospital liaison, Outpatient staff and PACT team members as well as other professionals in the community to coordinate care in relationship to the individuals mental health needs
• Communicates with internal and external interdisciplinary team members to facilitate good clinical management of individuals with serious mental illness and coordinates treatment with other providers
• Facilitates linkages to medical providers or other community resources when appropriate
• Works closely with community agencies including law enforcement, Child Protective Services, hospitals, jails and community physicians to coordinate care and arrange for client's treatment.

Responds to requests for crisis services

• Gathers information from callers/informants, recording information, and providing assessment at the individuals location in the community or arranging assessment at the most appropriate location.

Completes necessary paperwork

• Uses CareLogic Electronic Health Record (EHR) , as required
• Meets established timelines when making authorized entries in the medical record
• Follows procedures for release of information, maintains complete and accurate concise records and reports.
• Supports recovery concepts with persons served by incorporating the individual's and family's strengths, barriers and needs into the plan components.
• Applies integrated summary data to the formulation of age/disability family engagement when indicated, cultural, natural supports, co-occurring and, specific goals and objectives, as appropriate.
• Documents clear problem statement and treatment goals/objectives in a clients own voice and oriented to language that is understandable and meets clinical documentation standards.
• Formulates measurable, achievable goals and objectives in collaboration with the individual
• Discharge Plan includes the reason for discharge, anticipated need for continued care, treatment and services after discharge, and community resources or referrals

Fosters teamwork and cooperation between team members

• Works to understand others on the team and is a cooperative team member who willingly helps others perform related jobs
• Identifies and prioritizes issues and concerns that need resolution. Includes others in the decision making process when appropriate to make independent, effective decisions using available information.
• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations and educates individuals on matters requiring informed consent.
• Coordinates with agency or community treatment providers with whom the client is engaged to ensure follow up after a crisis episode requiring intervention.
• Follows the agency's Mental Health guidelines and procedures when working with individuals served in the crisis system.
• Communicates in a professional manner that promotes team work, dignity and a respectful environment.
• Creates and retains positive relationships and promotes trust and respect
• Participates in supervision, multi-disciplinary team staffing, training, specialist and psychiatric consultation as required

Performs other duties as assigned

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the physical requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time. Position also requires ability to drive with adequate vision.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• Masters degree in social work, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or one of the social sciences required

Experience

• Minimum of two years of mental health experience in the provision of crisis services and under the supervision of a mental health professional

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Must have or be on track for one of the following WA State licenses:
  
  
  
  • Associate and/or full licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or
  • Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor
  
  
  
  
• Recognition as an MHP based on credential
• First Aid/CPR Certification
• Valid Washington State drivers license and minimum required liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities' liability insurance provider

Special Skills

• Education and training in the following areas:

• Psychopathology and psychopharmacology
• Completed DCR Training
• Knowledge of individual and family dynamics, life span development, psychotherapy and family crisis intervention
• Crisis intervention and the assessment of risk, include suicide risk assessment, assessment of danger to others and homicide risk assessment
• Assessment of grave disability, health and safety, cognitive and volitional functions
• Competency with special populations: Chemical dependency, co-occurring disorders, developmental disabilities, ethnic minorities, children and adolescents, older persons, and sexual minorities
• Training in adolescent mental health issues, the mental health civil commitment laws, the criteria for civil commitment, and the systems if care for minors (RCW 71.34.805)
• Professional ethics and knowledge of consumer rights
• Petition writing: factors, elements and content
• Clinical/legal/forensic education related to DCR function/knowledge base

• Knowledge of Behavioral Health Care delivery to adults and children
• Knowledge of Washington Administrative Codes for Acute Crisis Services
• Ability to work with others to accomplish objectives and achieve expected results
• Knowledge of clinical supervision
• Ability to provide strong crisis assessment and stabilization skills
• Possess good verbal and written communication skills for communicating with persons served of all ages and staff
• Recognizes cultural, racial and other issues that impact treatment, relationships and communications
• Integrates that knowledge to work effectively with different cultures
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Uses a strength based approach with staff and promotes a positive work environment
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner within the community

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

#WorkForHope