Licensed & Unlicensed Positions Available
Emergency Services provides 24 hours a day 7 days a week emergency response for psychiatric crisis in the cities of Hampton and Newport News. Crisis Counselors work with our local law enforcement, magistrates, community partners, and local Hospitals (Emergency Rooms and Behavioral Health) to assess for immediate psychiatric intervention, including issuance of Temporary Detention Orders (TDO) for individuals in need of mandated treatment in a psychiatric hospital. Crisis Counselors also offer consultation and assist with triage to other less restrictive treatment options as appropriate.
Performs preliminary mental status assessments and short-term crisis intervention services. Makes referrals or coordinates admissions to treatment services. This level of Counselor may train or provide consultation of other counselors on an assigned shift or in an area of specialization (e.g. geriatrics, child and adolescent, etc.)
DISTINGUISHING ELEMENTS OF THE CLASS:
I. IMPACT: The health and safety of the client and affected others are directly dependent on the work of this class. The incumbent's ability to assess and de-escalate the psychological crisis of the client directly affects the immediacy and appropriateness of the crisis resolution and the extent of subsequent injury or property damage. The incumbent conducts prescreening assessments on which referral, including court ordered hospitalization and/or treatment are initially based. The incumbent's adherence to complex procedures controlling the work minimizes the agency's legal liability. All certified preadmission screening clinicians will have 24/7 access to consultation by a licensed certified preadmission screening clinician and by a supervisor vested with decision making authority.
II. LATITUDE: Work is regularly performed independently on a rotating shift and typically without the assistance of senior staff member, however, assistance or consultation can be obtained in difficult cases. Work is monitored by periodic case review, subsequent referral care providers and specific program policy and procedure.
III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: None, however the incumbent may assist in the orientation and training of less experienced counselors assigned to the shift.
IV. INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS: Work involves direct and continuous contact with individuals referred to the program, their families and other support groups. The incumbent interfaces with a variety of others, internal and external, to the agency. These include: physicians, hospital staff, social services staff, legal representatives, court and law enforcement personnel, school staff, detention facility staff and agency clinical staff.
V. DIFFICULTY: Work entails the timely assessment of a variety of client conditions. The counselor is required to develop an appropriate resolution to the immediate psychotic behavior which involves careful application of professional knowledge and techniques and judgment in the balancing of client rights and the legal requirements governing treatment. Work is typically performed under stressful, emotionally charged circumstances. Assessments may be complicated by clients affected by multiple disabilities.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS: Work involves direct counseling requiring careful and precise use of language. Position regularly involves the preparation of documentation, correspondence, technical records and reports. Public information talks are occasionally presented to community groups, judges, parole and probation officers and attorneys.
VII. EQUIPMENT/FACILITIES RESPONSIBILITY: Incumbent frequently operates a vehicle and may occasionally operate agency vehicle.
VIII. WORKING CONDITIONS: Incumbent performs some work in an office environment, however, much of the work requires visits to clients' homes of varying sanitary and health conditions in neighborhoods of varying security during all hours of the day and night. Counselors may be exposed to clients in volatile psychological crisis and often presenting the risk of bodily harm. All certified preadmission screening clinicians will have 24/7 access to consultation by a licensed certified preadmission screening clinician and by a supervisor vested with decision making authority.
IX. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA'S):
- Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques involved in assessment and crisis intervention for individuals with mental disabilities.
- Knowledge of Human Rights, Patient Rights and Confidentiality.
- Knowledge of capacity to Consent for Treatment.
- Knowledge of risk assessment.
- Knowledge of psychotropic medications and their side effects.
- Knowledge of procedural expectations for preadmission screening evaluators and use of the uniform preadmission screening form.
- Familiarity with Local Resources and Procedures.
- Thorough knowledge of supportive therapy and counseling techniques and practices.
- Extensive knowledge of the laws and legal procedures relating to involuntary hospital admission.
- Thorough knowledge of the treatment providers and admission procedures for the region served.
- Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain rapport with the client population.
- Demonstrates ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and with private and public agency personnel.
- Demonstrates ability to function calmly in stressful situations.
- Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively and prepare documentation.
- Demonstrates ability to maintain client records.
- Thorough knowledge of DSM manual.
- Show initiative in pursuing and attending trainings available that are relevant to this position.
- Takes lead in response.
X. LICENSURE: Valid Virginia Driver's License.
XI. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLASS (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY):
- Provides clinical supervision for other staff to include those seeking supervision toward licensure.
- Performs pre-screenings and preliminary assessments of client behaviors, financial and other abilities to obtain treatment, attends hearings and makes recommendations or referrals to care providers or case management staff.
- Responds to crisis intervention calls and implements stabilizing interventions.
- Assesses needs and coordinates issuance of detention orders, hospital admission and release.
- Prepares and maintains client records.
- Consults with and leads the work of less experienced counselors on an assigned shift.
- Prepares training and public information materials.
- Provides supportive counseling to callers and specific case loads (e.g. city jail).
- Performs work independently and successfully as demonstrated in employee CEPA process.
- Initiates and performs special assignments to maximize the work shift.
- Does related work as required.
XII. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as, but not limited to a, personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Some walking, moving, carrying, climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, reaching, and handling, sitting, standing, pushing, and pulling. Ability to restrain and/or run from aggressive or hostile clients.
XIII. DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: Valid Driver’s License. Transports clients as necessary.
|
Click here for technical assistance.
.jpg)