IDD Crisis Specialist
IDD Crisis Intervention Specialist
Job Code: IDDCRS - 111
Revision Date: June 30, 2026
Starting Salary: $18.59 hourly; $38,667 annually
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Overview
We are an agency committed to innovative behavioral health services in trauma-informed care that promote healing and recovery to instill a sense of empowerment and foster a lifelong sense of resilience.
General Description
The purpose of this job is to respond to crisis stabilization or emergency support, which can be conducted via face to face, telephone, or virtual. In addition, conduct crisis check-ins and follow up to crisis response in accordance with the “AIM Model” and HHSC requirements for individuals diagnosed with IDD and a co-occurring diagnosis. Ability to triage cases within a hospital setting with psychiatrists, medical professionals, and paraprofessionals. Provide education and training to MCOT, YCOT, CIT, law enforcement, and others as appropriate.
This class works under close to general supervision according to set procedures but determines how or when to complete tasks.
Duties and Responsibilities
The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position, as necessary.
- Collaborates with the service coordinator, other members of the service planning team, and paid provider, if any, to identify prevention strategies to avoid potential crisis events and to promote the person’s coping skills; and training and support needs that provide the greatest chance if success of living in the community, such as scheduled respite services or planned crisis respite to avoid a potential crisis event.
- Support the service coordinator’s provision of ongoing follow up and monitoring activities, including assisting the service coordinator, other members of the service planning team and paid provider, if any, in addressing concerns and issues identified during follow up and monitoring visits, such as involvement with law enforcement or emergency room visits.
- Provides education about the manner in which to engage persons with IDD and their unique needs to members of a Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) to increase the competency of the members, law enforcement, and others as appropriate.
- Available to provide consultation to an MCOT as needed or as clinically indicated regarding a crisis event involving a person with IDD.
- Collaborate with an MCOT to develop criteria for referring a person with IDD in crisis-to-crisis respite.
- Develop a crisis respite service plan describing the therapeutic support needed by the person, for a person referred to crisis respite.
- Staff crisis encounters with POC and CIS manager.
- Provides support to individuals in an institution setting (ex. Jail, SSLC, Nursing Facility) and collaborates with their Interdisciplinary team.
- Collaborates with the service coordinator, other members of the service planning team, Transition Support Team, paid provider, if any, and natural supports regarding crisis follow up and relapse prevention activities, including assisting with a person’s transition from a crisis respite back to his or her home or other appropriate setting
- Completes referrals for TST case consult and/or peer review and OBI program.
- Document all activities, collaboration and consultation provided in accordance with NADD Accreditation, HHSC Performance Contract, and NCQA accreditation & EHN documentation requirements.
- Provides immediate response to individuals diagnosed with IDD who need immediate crisis services such as community and/or hospital placement, as identified in the AIM Model.
- Ability to triage cases within a hospital placement with psychiatrists, medical professionals, and paraprofessionals for appropriate treatment and placement planning.
- Participate in daily CIS case consultation.
- Participate in routine clinical supervision.
- Complete safety plans and/or crisis plans as applicable.
- Participate in recurring meetings with Capacity Management Meetings, Transition Support Team, Multidisciplinary meetings, and department meetings.
- Adheres to the AIMS model.
- Maintains compliance with EHN’s documentation guidelines.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Health or Human Services, Social Sciences or related behavioral health field or related field; a qualified intellectual disability professional as defined in 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR); and at least two years of experience working with individuals with IDD who have mental health and behavior support needs or linking people with IDD to mental health supports, in addition to the one year of required experience of a qualified intellectual disability professional described in 42 CFR.
Experience with trauma-informed services; cognitive behavioral therapies, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); and motivational therapies including the use of incentives, preferred.
Required Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of trauma-informed theories, principals, and practices (includes multi-faceted understanding of concepts such as community trauma, intergenerational and historical trauma, parallel processes, and universal precautions), preferred.
Physical Demands
Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.
Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)
- Involves routine and frequent exposure to:
- Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
- Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
- Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife.
- Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors.
- Traffic; Moving machinery.
- Electrical shock; Heights.
- Radiation; Disease/pathogens.
- Toxic/caustic chemicals; Explosives; Violence.
- Other extreme hazards not listed above.
Special Certifications and Licenses
- Must complete NADD specialist certification within one year of employment.
- Must be able to be credentialed as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) within the timeframe designated by EHN.
- Must possess and maintain a valid state Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
- Must be able to pass a TB, criminal background, and drug screen.
Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance (ADA)
Emergence Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Emergence Health Network to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.
Other Job Characteristics
- Staffing requirements, including criteria that staff have diverse disciplinary backgrounds, have necessary State required license and accreditation, and are culturally and linguistically trained to serve the needs of the clinic's patient population.
- Credentialed, certified, and licensed professionals with adequate training in person-centered, family-centered, trauma informed, culturally-competent and recovery-oriented care.
- Responsible for adhering to the EHN common purpose and service framework to continuously provide exceptional care to all constituents.
Note: This Class Description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Emergence Health Network and an employee and is subject to change by the Emergence Health Network as its needs change.
