Crisis Specialist DCS EMPACT

Job Description

Job Description

Who we are:

EMPACT- Suicide Prevention Center, part of the La Frontera family, is an industry-leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing valued community services and resources for behavioral health counseling, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention since 1987. We are an EEO/AA Employer. 

What you’ll do:

The DCS Crisis Specialist position is part of the Crisis Stabilization Team working with children and families in crisis whom have involvement with the Department of Child Safety (DCS). The position provides direct crisis intervention services in home, school, and in the community. Crisis intervention services include but are not limited to crisis prevention; de-escalation; transportation; client support/supervision ; parent training; behavior management training and assistance; and provision and assistance in accessing appropriate community referrals. The requirements of the position include ensuring coordination of care with multiple systems including Behavioral Health providers and networks; Juvenile Probation; School; Division of Developmental Disabilities; Placements and license agencies; and Department of Child Safety (DCS).

Essential Responsibilities: 

1. Provide direct in-home, in-office, in school and community based crisis services.   These services will include but not be limited to crisis intervention and de-escalation, transportation, maintaining or establishing community stabilization, client support and/or supervision, parenting training, behavior management training and assistance, and provision and assistance in accessing appropriate community referrals.     
2. Ensure quality service delivery including clinical care and all associated documentation.   Maintain all client records in accordance with agency policies and procedures.   
3. Provide comprehensive services to clients and assist in coordinating communication with other departments of the agency to accomplish continuity of care.   Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all related state, community behavioral health, and contracting organizations.  
4. Comply with the agency's standard of care for service delivery.  Assist with Quality Management and Utilization Review as needed.  
5. Perform job duties in a safe manner at all times; provide support for team members and perform cooperatively and professionally as part of a cohesive team.  
6. Will be required to oversee everyday functioning of department vehicles and to immediately report incidents involving damage or theft. May be required to do basic safety checks on vehicles (oil, tire air pressure, etc.).  
7. Will be required at times to work in potentially volatile situations and to react in a professional manner to crisis situations regardless of the nature of the environment or circumstances.  

Additional Duties and Responsibilities. 

1. This position receives a differential in pay, which is specific to this position only.   If one wishes to accept a different position in the agency, the differential would not follow.  The stated responsibilities accompany the position and the high-risk nature of the account for the differential.    
2. Will be required to be flexible in terms of shift location and to change location if requested at the beginning of the shift to better meet the needs of the department.  
3. May be required to use "down time" for special projects to benefit Crisis and/or other departments within the agency.  
4. Attend all required meetings and trainings, even if they fall outside of the regularly scheduled shift.  Evening and night hours may be required.  Receive supervision each month from a Master's level clinical coordinator.  If department meetings or scheduled supervision is missed because of a crisis call, the specialist is required to reschedule the meeting to assure that all supervision requirements are met.  
5. Will be required to work beyond his/her shift with no advanced warning if the crisis situation warrants or if required paperwork is not complete at the end of the shift. The Department Manager or Director of Programs must approve overtime associated with staying over shift.  
6. May be required to use own personal vehicle if agency van is out of service or is unavailable. However, will not be required to transport clients in own vehicle.  
7. Assist in providing guidance to new staff or Interns for intervention, documentation, and process flow.

What you’ll provide:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related field -or- Bachelor's degree and one year full-time behavioral health work experience -or- Associate's degree and a minimum of two years full-time behavioral health work experience -or- High School Diploma/GED with four years of full-time behavioral health work experience required to reach BHT status.
• Experience working with children in Department of Child Safety (previously CPS) care and knowledge of the RBHA children's system preferred.
• Experience utilizing electronic health records system.
• Must be detail oriented and have good time management, organizational, and customer service skills.
• Clear and effective communication. 
• Problem solving and analytical skills. Conflict resolution skills. Ability to remain calm when assisting high-risk clients.
• Bilingual Spanish ability a plus.
• Fingerprint clearance card or be eligible to obtain one.
• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of employment. 

Additional Requirements and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrated ability to remain calm in crisis situations, work independently and cooperatively, recognize personal limitations, and relate positively and with empathy to all regardless of age, race, creed, gender or sexual orientation.
• Professional conduct consistent with ethical professional practice and the policies and procedures of the agency.
• Professional demeanor and positive working relationships with internal/external team members, stakeholders, and community and business partners.
• If driving while on agency time or on agency business, a valid Arizona driver license and appropriate liability insurance and approval for liability coverage with EMPACT - SPC’s liability insurance carrier is required. At time of hire, a 3-year state driving record with no major infractions or excessive driving violations/tickets is required.
• Staff members who provide direct client services must be at least 21 years old. Staff members who provide support services (administrative or clinical) must be at least 18 years old. 

What we’ll offer:

(Full-time employees)

• Generous PTO 
• 10 paid holidays per year 
• Medical plans (4 choices) 
• Dental plans (2 choices) 
• Vision plans (2 choices) 
• 403(b) retirement plan 
• Retirement Allowance 
• Company paid Life/AD&D and Long-term Disability 
• Voluntary additional Life and Short-term Disability 
• Licensure Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement 
• Elder Care assistance 
• Pet Insurance and much more!

EMPACT-SPC is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services, and accredited by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) and The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

EMPACT-SPC/La Frontera Arizona provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

All employees of EMPACT-SPC and La Frontera Arizona are employees "at will" as that term is understood in the State of Arizona. This means that employment may be terminated at any time without prior notice and for no stated reason.

EMPACT-SPC/La Frontera Arizona reserves the right to modify position descriptions as needed and without notice. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.