Crisis Services Counselor I​/II

EXTRA HELP NON-BENEFITTED POSITION LIMITED TO 999 HOURS PER FISCAL YEAR

Under direction of the Behavioral Health Care Clinical Program Manager or Director of Behavioral Health, provides crisis intervention services for the 24-Hour Crisis Services Program; evaluates individuals in the Amador County Jail, Sutter Amador Hospital emergency room, or the offices of the County Behavioral Health Department. May initiate involuntary psychiatric holds under the provisions of W&I Code 5150. Provide mobile crisis interventions and follow up.

This is the journey and licensed level of the Crisis Services Counselor series. Positions in this class include the licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Associate (AMFT), the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Associate (ACSW) and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Associate (APCC). LPPC and APCC must have additional training for couples and families.

This classification differs from a Behavioral Health Care Clinician in that the incumbent primarily performs crisis focused evaluations and interventions. Incumbents are required to perform 24/7 crisis intervention services, requiring response within one hour to the designated location – including 24/7 mobile crisis. This classification does not typically carry a caseload. Level II may provide clinical supervision to unlicensed staff.

Behavioral Health Care Program Manager or Director of Behavioral Health.

Exercises no supervision. May provide training to other staff.

• Performs triage to assign crisis intervention priorities; provides crisis intervention counseling and interventions, including attempting to prevent an involuntary hold – including mobile crisis intervention.
• Interviews the client’s immediate family members, e.g., spouse or domestic partner, parents, other caretakers for precipitating background information and their ability to provide supportive observation and/or care following the crisis event.
• Enlists the cooperation and support of other first responders, the emergency room staff, law enforcement personnel, etc., to understand the context of the crisis and in providing ongoing support to the client and family.
• Evaluates the client’s level of suicide potential, psychiatric dysfunction, and/or ability to provide essential self-care in developing a care plan.
• Develops and implements short term care plan to ensure the immediate safety of the client and most appropriate level of care.
• Consults with Leadership, medical and psychiatric personnel on complex cases prior to finalizing a care plan.
• Integrates the services of the Behavioral Health Department and other community providers and agencies into the client’s individualized care plan.
• When necessary, initiates an involuntary hold, notifying and collaborating with other county crisis services when clients are residents of another county, arranging appropriate treatment/placement, and transportation to the holding facility.
• Performs mental health screenings and biopsychosocial assessments.
• Performs related duties as assigned which may include but is not limited to preparing correspondence and reports, copying and filing documents, answering telephone, ordering supplies and materials, entering computer data, maintaining logs and lists, sending and receiving faxes, processing mail, etc.
• Ensures the safety of the spouse or domestic partner, children, involved family, and other effected individuals in the crisis situation, including the legally required notifications of potential harm to them.
• Arranges and documents referrals to appropriate providers and agencies for the immediate and short term treatment plan.
• Thoroughly completes documentation of the crisis intervention activities as soon as possible after the conclusion of each event and submits the documentation on a daily basis to the Behavioral Health Department.
• Attends mandatory monthly crisis services staff meeting.
• Eligible to participate in behavioral health education programs, conferences and community programs as available.
• LEVEL II – Provides clinical supervision, both group and…