Crisis Specialist (Crisis Continuum) Associate or Licensed

Crisis Specialist Position

Signing Bonus: New, full-time, regular hire Crisis Specialists (Associate or Licensed) are eligible to receive a $10,000 signing bonus which will be split into two equal payments – 50% at time of hire (i.e. first paycheck) and the remaining 50% at successful completion of their probationary period. This amount is prorated for regular hire part-time employees based on the employee's FTE. If the new hire voluntarily separates prior to the completion of their probationary period, they will be required to reimburse the County for the amount of the signing bonus received.

Current Opportunities: We have Crisis Specialist (associate or licensed) positions (Regular) available. The starting salary for new Crisis Specialists (Associates) is $4,170 biweekly. The starting salary for new Licensed Crisis Specialist hires is $4,438 biweekly. Depending on the position, you may receive one of the differentials below:

• PM/evening shift = 7.5%
• NOC/overnight shift = 15%
• Weekend shift = 10%

You must work a minimum of four (4) hours within the defined shift to qualify for the shift differential. Mobile Crisis Continuum: The Mobile Crisis Continuum unit encompasses the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) and the Crisis Aftercare Team (CAT). These two teams work closely together. All clinicians, across programs, are trained and certified to initiate 5150 applications. Both teams are expected to cross-train and provide coverage as needed. The MCRT focus is on acute crisis intervention and the CAT focus is on short term case management and linkage for clients at risk of or coming out of a behavioral health crisis. Vacancy: MCRT. There are three (3) full-time, regular positions available on MCRT:

• Sunday-Wednesday 7:00am-5:30pm;
• Sunday-Wednesday 9:30pm-8:00am;
• Wednesday-Saturday 9:30pm-8:00am

CAT: No vacancies at this time. Subject to change. The positions will report to the Unit Supervisors assigned to the Mobile Crisis Continuum teams in the Crisis and Justice Involved Division. The positions are field/community-based and responsive to individuals presenting with behavioral health crisis across Marin County.

MCRT duties include, but are not limited to, providing field/community based response and assessment of individuals presenting in behavioral or mental health and substance-related crisis across Marin County as part of a team of two. Duties as a Crisis Specialist includes answering and logging calls for service, providing clinical consultation and recommendations as indicated, information and education, as well as provision of solo response to secure and/or safe locations. With information derived from a clinical interview, nursing report, case history, and collateral information the Crisis Specialist writes a semi-structured report, develops and then implements a treatment plan for clients under their care including making referrals to appropriate agencies and levels of care based on the assessment. The position will entail a significant level of teamwork with effective communication as well Medi-Cal billing documentation. All crisis specialists are trained and authorized to initiate 5150 applications and undergo extensive training in-line with CA Department of Health Care Services. Crisis Specialists in this role must have the ability to collaborate with community partners including hospitals, law enforcement, and schools to provide most appropriate and least-restrictive level of intervention.

The positions are shift-based including weekends and may include holidays. As the program expands, days and times of shifts may change to cover increases in service delivery hours and the requirements around holiday coverage may change. Our current hours of operation are 24/7, 365 days a year including Holidays.

CAT is considered a safety net service and the duties include, but are not limited to, short term community- based case management alongside a peer counselor with the focus on linkage to long term behavioral health services. The clinician and peer counselor work to identify barriers to connection and support the clients in overcoming those barriers. This team is also responsible for developing an in depth understanding of available resources in the county and utilize warm hand-offs to ensure continuity of care. This is a voluntary service and sometimes requires extended outreach and engagement. As the program expands, days and times of shifts may change to cover increases in service delivery hours and the requirements around holiday coverage may change. Schedule/hours availability vary depending on the department needs.

Highly desirable: Bilingual skills in Spanish and English are highly desirable. Bilingual Testing/Certification: The successful candidate must possess bilingual skills and must demonstrate proficiency in both Spanish and English prior to appointment. A bilingual proficiency exam will be administered to ensure the candidates possess the appropriate skill level to meet the requirements.

About You

Our highly qualified candidate will have experience working with mentally ill clients across all ages in crisis or emergent situations. They will be able to work well with a small team. The candidate will be able to organize their work effectively, as well as being able to document complex clinical information quickly, accurately, and concisely, and utilize this information to rapidly develop a treatment plan. The ideal candidate can provide a welcoming environment to even the most distraught client. The ideal candidate will have strong diagnostic and assessment skills in addition to having the ability to work with and relay information to a wide-range of clients, families, and other professionals. In addition, the ideal candidate will have experience in de-escalating persons in high-stress and/or high anxiety situations in order to maintain the safety of Patients and Staff on unit.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, trends and literature of psychiatric and psychosocial work as appropriate to one's scope of practice.
• Procedures, techniques and terminology of psychiatric and psychosocial assessment and treatment determinations.
• Pharmacology of medications and psychotropic drugs.
• Dynamics of human behavior.
• General knowledge of developing psychiatric and psychosocial treatment and discharge plans, including linking and referring clients to resources.
• Principles of clinical supervision and training as appropriate to one's license status.
• Planning and developing specialized mental health and mental health-related assignments.
• Local, state and federal laws pertaining to mental health and client's rights.
• Mental health services provided by MediCal providers.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain confidence, trust and cooperation of persons contacted in the course of their work.
• Communicate effectively; write concise reports and evaluations.
• Assess client's psychiatric and psychosocial needs; develop treatment and discharge plans, including linking and referring clients to needed resources.
• Evaluate and problem-solve difficult interpersonal situations.
• Physically restrain and seclude clients in a psychiatric unit.
• Record observations correctly and maintain client's electronic chart with proper clinical and legal documentation.
• Guide, orient, and train less experienced workers and interns.
• Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to include staff, private psychiatrists, law enforcement personnel, community groups, family members/support persons, and other treatment providers.
• Work with system resources, other helping agencies and private therapists to provide optimum client care.
• Assist in developing and planning mental health programs.
• Provide psychotherapy for clients.

Minimum Qualifications and Certificates & Licenses

Either possession of a Master's degree from an accredited institution in social work, psychology, counseling or a closely related field by first date of employment OR possession of a Doctoral degree in clinical psychology or a closely related field by first date of employment AND equivalent to one year of clinical behavioral health experience under qualified supervision in a behavioral health setting appropriate to the assignment.

Certificates & Licenses

Crisis Specialist

From the first day of employment, an employee must be registered with the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist OR Associate Professional Clinical Counselor employees must successfully pass the licensing exam within six years from the date of employment.

From the first date of employment, an employee who is an unlicensed Psychologist is required to be waiver-eligible AND must successfully pass the licensing exam within the five-year waiver period.

Failure to obtain licensure within specified timelines will result in termination of employment. Incumbents must acquire the appropriate licensure before advancing to the Licensed Crisis Specialist.

Licensed Crisis Specialist

Must be professionally licensed by the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor OR must be professionally licensed as a Clinical Psychologist issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Psychology.

Qualified non-California residents must submit proof of