Crisis Counselor

Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team!

JOB DESCRIPTION:

SUMMARY OF POSITION
A Crisis Counselor provides emergency crisis intervention and consultation services to clients, families, community partners and referral sources.  This includes providing crisis assessments, crisis stabilization, and crisis intervention in a community settings, by telephone, and video to recipients in crisis and facilitating appropriate linkage and referral to on-going services.  Crisis Counselor are required to complete all required documentation, comply with contracts, grants, standards, regulations, and laws associated with this position in addition to working under the direction of the Crisis Coordinator or Crisis Manager when performing job tasks and providing services. As part of Centerstone’s team-oriented philosophy, a Crisis Counselor is expected to actively participate in a variety of cross-functional teams and performance improvement initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Completes job requirements with independent action and resourcefulness and seeks out additional duties during periods of downtime.  Organizes time, effort, and use of resources to achieve desired outcomes.
• Consistently returning phone calls and e-mails within 24 hours and updating voicemail/out of office e-mail, as well as consistently using a pleasant tone and having a helpful attitude. 
• Assist service recipient in making safety and discharge plans and provide follow up services as assigned.
• Attend staff meetings, clinical staffing’s, and other internal meetings as assigned.  Participates on committees as assigned, including quality assurance functions.  Maintain appropriate communication with other employees and work as an effective team member.
• Perform pre-screenings for both the state operated hospital and private psychiatric hospitals to determine the need for either voluntary or involuntary psychiatric hospital admissions.
• Provide follow-up appointments when it is clinically appropriate to the service recipient and provide Brief Therapy until an appropriate referral has been completed for on-going treatment or no further services are indicated.
• Provide crisis assessment of substance abusing individuals at the emergency room of a local community hospital, local police department, school, jail, or other neutral sites, and facilitate appropriate linkage and referral to on-going services.
• Provide emergency mental health consultations with physicians, law enforcement officials, school officials, and other community and/or state agency representatives in an effort to resolve mental health crisis regarding residents in our service area.
• Assist management when assigned by mentoring and working alongside new staff and/or interns to model and provide instruction on emergency processes, protocols, and services.
• Facilitates crisis transportation through EMS or other professional transport services when needed to aid in resolving crisis situations and link with appropriate crisis resources.
• Participates in on call crisis services to ensure 24/7 coverage in service areas.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGES AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system as it affects adolescents
• Skill in customer service techniques
• Skill in written and oral communications

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Level              

Requires a Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, psychiatric nursing or other related human services field,

Years of Experience       

Requires an in-depth knowledge of clinical theory and practice and symptomology of psychiatric illness.

Must successfully complete all required background screenings.

Requires utilizing electronic health records and/or other automated/electronic documentation systems and to have computer and keyboarding experience and skills or the ability to develop such skills within required timeframes in order to meet the level of proficiency set by the agency.

Certification/Licensure 

Requires CPR certification.

Valid driver’s license, and safe driving history. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Standing – 20%

Sitting – 80%

Squatting – Occasional

Kneeling – Occasional

Bending – Occasional <