Crisis Intervention Specialist I/II (CSWA/LCSW)

Overview

In times of crisis, you are there for our patients, their family members and our practitioners. With a supportive approach, you offer short-term, urgent behavioral health services that are focused, effective and patient-driven. Through your use of evidence-based behavioral interventions, you diffuse an often tense situation to bring hope and healing. In short, you exemplify the Legacy mission of making life better for others.

Unity Center for Behavioral Health is a one-of-a-kind center for people facing a mental health crisis. Unity Center features a Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES), where patients receive care by specialists in behavioral health in a calming, non-hospital-like setting. Unity also has inpatient care for adults and teens. It is a collaboration between Adventist Health, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health and Oregon Health & Science University.

Responsibilities

• Provides patient-centered, trauma-informed, short-term urgent and emergent behavioral health services in adult and pediatric emergency settings across the health continuum.

• Works independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Offers behavioral health consultations to support practitioners, family members, and patients.

• Delivers focused, effective, evidence-based behavioral interventions.

• Key services include:

  • Brief psychosocial assessments

  • Brief drug and alcohol assessments

  • Crisis intervention and hold assessment

  • Supportive counseling

  • Emergency department diversion

  • Care coordination and communication with medical teams, family, referents, access workers, and community providers

  • Transitions of care and discharge planning

• Guides patients through the continuum of care.

• Position specific to Unity Center for Behavioral Health with opportunities for cross-training into other Care Management roles at Unity and other Legacy hospitals.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling or other behavioral health field as required by licensure or credential.

Experience: 

• Crisis Intervention Specialist I: Experience assessing and diagnosing adults experiencing a mental health crisis preferred.
• Crisis InterventionSpecialist II: Two years’ relevant experience in care management, mental health and/or addictions services, medical social work, or social service organization. 3 years relevant experience preferred.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Broad knowledge of the principles of crisis assessments and interventions and the ability to apply them with individuals, families and/or groups integrating knowledge of normal development and the aging process, changes related to illness, and the needs of patients with acute, chronic, and terminal illness in assessment and intervention with attention to cultural and literacy implications.
• Knowledge of medical, mental health and substance use diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology
• Strong organizational, communication and collaboration skills, including an ability to effectively triage patient and family needs, function as member of an interdisciplinary team, identification and collaboration with community stakeholders or resources and written documentation.
• Knowledge about social determinants of health, principles of diversity/equity/inclusion and culturally responsive practice with populations who have experience historical marginalization
• Demonstrates ability to locate, utilize and advocate for patient/family access to hospital/ community resources
• Ability to navigate electronic medical record and effectively utilize basic computer programs.
• Knowledge of legal, regulatory and compliance requirements and an ability to be a resource to all team members regarding such issues and knowledge of current health care environment.
• Implements verbal de-escalation skills, as needed.
• Clearly document the rational for discharging patients presenting some level of risk.
• Recognize potentially dangerous situations and seeks assistance from additional personnel to ensure safety.
• Describes and documents medical necessity for hospitalization.

Licensure

Crisis Intervention Specialist I Licensure: 

• Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA), Professional Counselor Associate, Marriage and Family Therapist Associate or registered Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) is required at the date of hire.
• QMHP is acceptable for hire, however, employees must pursue the clinical license applicable to their degree; LCSW, LPC, or LMFT.

Crisis Intervention Specialist II Licensure:

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), required at the date of hire.

Pay Range

Our Commitment to Health and Equal Opportunity

Our Legacy is good for health for Our People, Our Patients, Our Communities, Our World. Above all, we will do the right thing.

If you are passionate about our mission and believe you can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can grow and succeed.

Legacy Health is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion or creed, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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