Crisis Counselor

JOB DESCRIPTION: CRISIS COUNSELOR (PART-TIME)

Classification: Part-Time (Up to 29 Hours), Non-exempt

Reports to: MCT/Phone Counseling Supervisors Work Location: 100% In-Person

This position operates as an essential employee. All members of Harford Crisis (HCR) response are the frontline, first response workers for mental health in Harford County. HCR employees are employed through the Office on Mental Health/Core Service Agency of Harford County, Inc. (OMH/CSA).

All direct care workers are cross trained to provide multiple types of crisis response as part of HCR’s mission to make timely and effective crisis care available and accessible to the community.

Crisis counselors shall minimally hold a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field with strong preference given to master’s degrees and strongest preference given to licensed workers.

Requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to operate agency vehicles as a condition of employment if trained and approved to work Mobile Crisis Response (MCT) Shifts.

There are potential risks to crisis response work including but not limited to:

• Entry into environments with poor sanitation standards

• Entry into environments with insect or rodent infestations

• Exposure to people displaying volatile, unpredictable, or aggressive behavior, and/or to highly charged emotional situations

• Exposure to weather conditions including snow, rain, and heat

• Exposure to persons with infectious diseases

Part-time Crisis Counselors shall have at least one weekly standing shift and have the opportunity to pick up additional shifts, PRN. Shifts may be a blend of both MCT and phone counseling shifts.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides in person, community based, crisis interventions to clients experiencing mental or behavioral distress to deescalate situations; utilizes the least invasive intervention; participates in active rescue as required and as a last resort

• Answers hotline calls and provides phone counseling services

• Enters timely, accurate and complete documentation of hotline calls, dispatches, and other client and collateral contact in the electronic health record

• Works effectively as a collaborating member of the care team, including case debriefing with partner or other team members as needed

• Establishes routines and procedures for daily client follow-up

• Interviews clients, reviews records, conducts assessments, or confers with community providers to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients

• Collaborates with community providers to plan or coordinate treatment

• Refers clients to community resources for housing or treatment to assist in recovery from mental illness or substance use, following through to ensure service efficacy

• Educates clients about mental health, substance use, and available community resources

• Monitors, evaluates, records and provides follow-up on client progress with respect to agency mission and treatment goals

• Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, by scheduling appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing additional support, as needed

• Completes assigned training

• Provide Holiday coverage, as assigned and per HCR Holiday policies

• Adheres to privacy standards including professional guidelines, HIPAA, and limits to confidentiality (i.e. mandated reporting).

• Contributes to a culture of “yes” and “no wrong door” at Harford Crisis Response

• Assists with daily office upkeep tasks with the team

• Follows guidelines and protocols established in the Program Handbook and Agency policies

• Provides afterhours coverage, as assigned

• Participates in at least monthly supervision

• Performs other duties as assigned

Performance Standards

• Demonstrates outstanding interpersonal skills

• Ensures timely and accurate resource referrals, case follow-up, and documentation

• Demonstrates knowledge of community relationships with agency and externally

• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Demonstrates ability to resolve problems

• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds at times.

• The ability to wear personal protective equipment in accordance with agency COVID-19 Policies and Procedures.