Wenatchee - Designated Mental Health Professional  (Full Time)
Agencies: Catholic Charities / Catholic Family & Child Service / Housing Services / St. Vincent Centers

This position will have responsibility for providing direct crisis evaluation and crisis intervention in the delivery of acute crisis services provided by Catholic Family & Child Service of Wenatchee. The Crisis Outreach Professional will provide clinical services, specialist consultation to other Mobile Crisis team members (as applicable) in addition to fulfilling the duties of a Crisis Outreach Professional/Designated Mental Health Professional.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The MHP and DMHPs are members of the Crisis Outreach Team that provides crisis outreach services to individuals experiencing acute emotional distress and/or mental health crises, with the goal to stabilize the individual in the least restrictive setting possible.  DMHPs provide evaluations under the Involuntary Treatment Act to include both mental health and substance abuse.  The MHP and DMHP Mental Health Crisis Outreach team members Professionals utilize crisis intervention techniques to facilitate diversion from hospitalization through individual stabilization in the community whenever possible.  The MHP/DMHP assesses the individual’s risk to self, others or property. In the event an individual requires an evaluation to determine if there is a need for detention under the Involuntary Treatment Act due to the presence of a grave disability, the MHP contacts the DMHP for assistance. All Crisis Outreach Professionals engage in assessing the community and family resources available to manage the individual in the least restrictive setting possible and engage in developing plans with the individual and family that are appropriate to the individual’s needs and circumstances.  The MHP and DMHP formulate appropriate clinical decisions based upon assessment data, and interact with the medical community and others in the community to develop and implement community based treatment options to stabilize/maintain stability.  

• Provides crisis and intake assessments:  including diagnosis, ongoing brief community support services, and case management in a culturally competent manner within the most appropriate environment.  As an initial responder the MHP utilizes crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, and assesses the need to contact the DMHP if the situation cannot be adequately resolved. The DMHP will further assess the need for community based individual stabilization by accurately assessing risk to self, others or property and the presence of a grave disability, and formulates and implements appropriate clinical decisions based upon assessment data.
• Provides treatment planning: Develops an appropriate plan of treatment supporting recovery concepts by incorporating the individual’s/family’s strengths, barriers and needs into the plan components.  Documents clear problem statement and treatment goals/objectives in an individual’s “own voice”.  Formulates measurable, achievable goals and objectives, in collaboration with the individual.
• Supports crisis programs by triaging telephone calls, meeting with walk in clients, and/or working with individuals in the Hospital Diversion or Stabilization units, as assigned.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with community resources; works with hospital liaison, outpatient staff and PACT team members as well as other professionals in the community to coordinate care in relationship to the individual’s mental health needs. Communicates with internal and external interdisciplinary team members to facilitate good clinical management of individuals with serious mental illness and coordinates treatment with other providers; facilitates linkages to medical providers or other community resources when appropriate. Works closely with community agencies including law enforcement, Child Protective Services, hospitals, jails and community physicians to coordinate care and arrange for client's treatment.
• Responds to requests for crisis services by gathering information from callers/informants, recording information, and providing assessment at the individual’s location in the community or arranging assessment at the most appropriate location. 
• Locates hospital beds for adults and juveniles needing voluntary or involuntary hospitalization and arranges for admission when indicated.
• Provides pre-hospital screening for individuals seeking voluntary psychiatric admission to local hospitals.
• Completes necessary paperwork as required, using AVATAR electronic medical record. Meets established timelines when making authorized entries in the medical record; follows procedures for release of information and maintains complete and accurate, concise records and reports. 
• Supports recovery concepts with persons served by incorporating the individual’s and family’s strengths, barriers and needs into the plan components.  Applies integrated summary data to the formulation of:  age/disability; family engagement when indicated; cultural; natural supports; co-occurring and; specific goals and objectives, as appropriate. Documents clear problem statement and treatment goals/objectives in a client’s “own voice” and oriented to language that is understandable and meets clinical documentation standards. 
• Formulates measurable, achievable goals and objectives in collaboration with the individual. Discharge Plan includes the reason for discharge, anticipated need for continued care, treatment and services after discharge, and community resources or referrals. 
• Fosters teamwork and cooperation between Crisis Outreach Team members; works to understand others on the team and is a cooperative team member who willingly helps others performs related jobs.
• Identifies and prioritizes issues and concerns that need resolution. Includes others in the decision making process when appropriate to make independent, effective decisions using available information.
• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations and educates individuals on matters requiring informed consent.
• Coordinates with agency or community treatment providers with whom the client is engaged to ensure follow up after a crisis episode requiring intervention.
• Follows the agency’s mental health policies and procedures when working with individuals served in the crisis system.
• Communicates in a professional manner that promotes team work, dignity and a respectful environment. Creates and retains positive relationships and promotes trust and respect.
• Participates in supervision, multi-disciplinary team staffing’s, training, specialist and psychiatric consultation as required. 

Education and Experience: Master’s degree in Social Behavioral Sciences required. Minimum of two years mental health experience in the provision of crisis services

Special Skills and Abilities Required: Knowledge of Behavioral Health Care delivery to adults and children; Knowledge of Washington Administrative Codes for Acute Crisis Services; Strong

Licensure, Registration, Certification: Licensure as a social worker, mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist with the State of Washington preferred.  Agency Affiliated Required. Mental Health Professional status or Designated Mental Health Professional status.