988 Mental Health Clinician

Position: Crisis Services Clinician of 988

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor of 988

Type: Part-Time Openings.

Location: Fully Remote, in select states

Payrate: $35.45/hr.

Union Representation: OPEIU Representation

Candidates must be located in WA state, Texas, Ohio or Arizona to be considered.

Schedule: Chat/Text Team; Thursday­ - Saturday; GY/After-hours shift (12am - ­8am)

PROGRAM SUMMARY: Crisis Connections provides a variety of telephone-based support services that are free and easily accessible to anyone in our community experiencing crisis. Our service area includes King County and WA State. Our passion is to foster resilience and wellbeing for all by connecting people to accessible and compassionate support.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Crisis Services Clinician for 988 is a qualified Mental Health Professional who is trained to oversee 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline contact interactions via phone, chat, or text. This position is responsible for providing risk assessment and clinical decision making while overseeing all activities of a multidisciplinary team comprised of clinical and paraprofessional staff.
This selected candidate must bring clinical expertise in the areas of crisis intervention, de-escalation, and mental health. Responsibilities include monitoring the delivery of services via phone, chat, or text. The Crisis Services Clinician will ensure that callers receive appropriate emotional support, and referrals to the appropriate level of care such as mobile crisis teams, designated crisis responders, and other mental health services.

JOD DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

CRISIS SERVICES CLINICIAN RESPONSIBLITIES:

1. Responsible for the direct oversight of Crisis Specialists plus general oversight and guidance of other staff working the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline during scheduled shifts. This will include close monitoring and coaching of Contact Specialists responding to call, chat, and text services, assigning, and reviewing tasks of the Crisis Intervention Specialist (CIS) while providing consultation and direction to other clinical staff when engaged in crisis work.

2. Responsible for supporting Crisis Specialists in assessing for risk of harm, suicidality, and/or mental illness to ensure that best clinical intervention practices are provided to the person in crisis.

3. Ensures completion of appropriate screening and linkage to Next Day Appointments, Children's Crisis Outreach and Response System, Mobile Crisis Teams, Geriatric Regional Assessment Team, Designated Crisis Responders, and other outreach services for 988 callers.

4. Supports the CIS and Crisis Specialist staff with ongoing and immediate feedback.

5. Ensures that all policies and procedures are followed by staff answering the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline contacts via phone, chat or text.

6. Assists Crisis Specialists in identification of familiar contacts who are known and may have case plans on file.

7. Ensure that all calls are documented accurately and completely using the assigned electronic health record.

8. Provide Quality Assurance to the National Suicide Safety Assessment forms.

9. Ensure that all services delivered are consistent with compassionate, respectful, professional, and recovery-oriented best practices.

10. Contributes to a virtual team atmosphere that is professional, congenial, and respectful.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

1. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Program Standards

· Call Abandonment rate 5% or less.

· Call Answer Rate within 30 seconds.

2. All staff working within the 988 Service Line share the responsibility to meet these contract metrics.

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Supports Clinical Director of 988 Crisis Services in providing training and job shadowing to new staff that incorporates clinical best practices, and training requirements from Lifeline Learning, Crisis Connections, and ICH Accreditation standards.

2. Maintains required licensure and keeps updated on current professional literature and trends in the behavioral health field.

3. Maintain a minimum of 12 hours of training per FTE on approved topics relevant to the job function.

QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF WORK/WORK HABITS

1. Arrives at work on time and maintains regular attendance; working assigned shifts and other shifts when needed.

2. Participates in pager duty shifts as assigned by the Clinical Director of 988 Crisis Services.

3. Follows personnel policies and procedures.

4. Written and verbal communication is clear, concise, accurate and thorough.

5. Demonstrates genuine relationships by cooperating with others, handling disa­greements directly with the person(s) concerned in a truthful and open manner and accepting constructive feedback. Shows respect to co-workers, volunteers, and customers/clients.

6. Makes appropriate use of Supervisor.

7. Promotes a healthy work environment by demonstrating collaborative deci­sion-making and team-building behaviors; provides peer support, and moti­vates staff and volunteers to outstanding performance.

8. Suggests solutions to identified problems.

9. Attends all internal staff meetings as assigned.

10. All other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Individuals in this position should be able to sit or stand for lengthy periods of time. Individuals will need to be able to wear a headset or earphones as they take calls and attend meetings. This position will expose you to conversations about suicide, mental health issues and staff responding to crisis situations.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED SKILLS

• Master’s degree in psychology/counseling or social work or related field required.
• Mental Health Professional as defined by WAC 246-341-0200 OR ability to obtain credential in WA state.
• Independent or associate licensure in counseling, or social work preferred.
• Experience working with individuals in crisis.
• Telephone assessment or help line experience preferred.
• Excellent verbal, written, and typing skills.
• Preferred experience in King County Public Mental Health System.
• Evidence of ability to work effectively with a multi-disciplinary clinical staff in a fast-paced environment.

Thriving employees means a thriving mission:

We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion. We welcome everyone's lived experiences, cultures, and expertise, at Crisis Connections because it strengthens our team and the care we provide to the community. BIPOC, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are dedicated to supporting our employees by offering excellent benefits and career progression opportunities.

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage including an 100% employer paid option for certain plans and coverage tiers.
• Annual wage increases
• Generous Paid Time Off & 12 Paid Holidays
• Discount on ORCA transit pass
• Free Parking & Flexible Schedules
• Growth opportunities
• Self-care tools & weekly check ins with your supervisor

Voluntary Benefits

• Short-term and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 403B Retirement Plan
• Gym classes

Offers of Employment: All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check including a Criminal History Report and Reference Check.

Computer Skills Assessment: Crisis Connections requires a basic Computer Skills assessment to measure computer literacy and skills. The assessment is approximately 15 minutes in length, and timed. HR will provide a link to complete the test after screening qualified candidates.

• This assessment will be completed on the candidate's personal computer. Upon request, candidates may take the assessment at one of our 2 office locations as an accommodation. Additional accommodations for the assessment are provided upon request.

Technology Requirements:

• Smart phone with ability to download and use Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) application.
• High speed internet, minimum 20mbps download and 10mpbs upload speeds. No hot spots allowed.

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION:

Crisis Connections (CC) is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. CC does not discriminate with regards to hiring, assignment, promotion, or other conditions of staff employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of our positions.

Crisis Connections is an equal opportunity employer. We value having employees whose skills, experience and background reflect the diverse populations we serve.