Crisis Mental Health Professional (MHP) - Mod Day Shift, MRT

Shift: Modified Day (10am - 6pm)

Days Off: Saturday and Sunday

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

About DESC:

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

JOB DEFINITION:

The Mobile Response Team (MRT) provides 24/7 mental and behavioral health services at Health through Housing (HtH) facilities and targeted Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) sites across King County. The primary goal of the program is to provide in the moment crisis behavioral health services and time-limited behavioral health case management via mobile intensive response teams for the purpose of assisting individuals in becoming aware of behavioral health and other community service options. The MRT is a mobile interdisciplinary team consisting of certified peer counselors, behavioral health case managers, substance use disorder professionals, mental health professionals and Narcan waivered medical staff.

The Mental Health Professional (MHP) (crisis responder) will respond to crisis call originating from one of the covered housing sites. They will complete risk assessments, de-escalate, develop safety plans, and coordinate with the client and housing staff to ensure safety.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In response to and cooperation with housing staff perform timely outreach services to individuals currently in crisis and exceeding the skill set of housing staff.
• As a member of a multi-disciplinary team you will complete risk assessments, complete safety plans, co-ordinate care, assess for substance use, increase stabilization and engagement for adults who are currently experiencing a crisis.
• Refer to MRT case management for continued support to establish and implement a plan to successfully engage clients in relevant services and other resources.
• Provide follow-up services aimed at coordinating care with case managers, housing staff, and other support to establishing linkage to services for program participants.
• Complete all data collection and documentation required of the Project and DESC.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with programs providing services for the population served.
• Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
• Comply with the all agency policies and procedures, and relevant titles of the Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington.
• Communicate with and advocate for the person within their faith, neighborhood or other components of the persons’ community.
• Advocate for clients' access to community resources and services, ensuring that clients' needs are met and rights maintained; consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care. Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients on caseload.
• Participate in verbal de-escalation and crisis intervention in emergent situations and be able and willing to assist other staff as needed to maintain a safe, secure environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Eligible for a Licensed AAC credential or any other superseding credential that meets RCW 71.05.020 requirements to act as a Mental Health Professional whose scope of practice includes independently conducting mental health assessments and making mental health diagnoses.
• Master's degree in a social work, psychology or other relevant behavioral science.
• Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business. A current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record are required. 
• Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs.
• Be able to pass a Washington State Criminal background check
• Experience and skills in working with individuals with mentally illness who are difficult to engage and may resist services.
• Familiar with Recovery Principles, Crisis Intervention and Stabilization, Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders, Intensive Case Management, Illness Management, Trauma-Informed Treatment, and relevant Evidenced based/Emerging best practices Knowledge of Harm Reduction strategies.
• Be able to assess situations quickly and respond appropriately to any type of mental health and/or substance use crisis to ensure the physical and psychological safety of clients.
• Be willing to seek to understand each client's unique circumstances and personal preferences and goals and incorporate them into the crisis response to help the client regain a sense of control.
• Assist clients in accessing internal resources to reinforce the client's ability to resolve crisis on their own.
• Assist clients in identifying unmet needs that may be causing them to have recurrent crisis.
• Have a strong understanding of recovery and resilience, the value of client partnerships and client choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity.
• Possess strong communication and writing skills.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.
• Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for program participants. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in State of Washington
• Bilingual in Spanish/English (fluent)
• Bi-cultural background/experience and/or qualify as an Ethnic Minority, DD, or Geriatric Mental Health Specialist (per WAC 388-865-0150 definition)

Strong applicants are able to demonstrate the ability to be positive in their empathetic responses to all persons; understand the value of meaningful and deep client engagement; have the potential to acquire the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills of an effective crisis worker; and value a non-judgmental response to sensitive issues. Candidates should be able to accept feedback and work in a highly collaborative and potentially stressful environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, drive, walk, stand, communicate with other employees and vendors, is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 10 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Considerable stress may occur. Employee will be working both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.