Lead Crisis Intervention Specialist

Job Code: LCIS - 114
Revision Date: November 3, 2022

Starting Salary: $21.52 hourly; $44,768 annually

FLSA: 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 be responsible for the overall administration and operation of all START-Certified Lead Crisis Intervention Specialists functions to include all related services as governed by contracts, standards, and respective funding stream requirements. Responsible for ensuring development, monitoring, and actualization of crisis intervention specialist responsibilities of the Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA); the development of unit policies and procedures; adherence to all applicable State, Federal, and Center standards and/or policies and procedures; adheres to the practice of quality assurance as directed.

This class works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

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.

• Attends behavioral support workshops to assist in working with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) population.
• Participates in group and/or individual supervision weekly.
• Coordinates Clinical Education Teams that require a month preparation for intensive research on an individual within their caseload and present to an interdisciplinary team for recommendations and best practices.
• Provides education about the manner in which to engage individuals with IDD and their unique needs to Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Law Enforcement and others as appropriate.
• Provides information about IDD programs and services to individuals with IDD, their families, and IDD providers in the local service area.
• Provide training and supports needed to promote the greatest chance of success of living in the community, such as scheduled respite services or planned crisis respite to avoid a potential crisis event.
• Collaborates with the service coordinator, other members of the service planning team, paid provider, if any, and natural supports regarding crisis follow-up and relapse prevention activities.
• Collaborates with an MCOT to develop criteria for referring an individual with IDD in crisis to crisis respite.
• Collaborates with appropriate LIDDA staff and Transition Support Team
• Support the service coordinator's provision of on-going 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.
• Is available to provide consultation to an MCOT as needed or as clinically indicated regarding a crisis event involving an individual with IDD.
• Develops a crisis respite service plan as needed for the individual. Assists with an individual's transition from crisis respite back to his or her home or other appropriate setting; addressing concerns and issues identified during follow-up and monitoring visits, such as involvement with law enforcement or emergency room visits.
• Participate in recurring meetings with START leadership, clinical team, and respite program.
• Provide immediate response to individuals diagnosed with IDD who need immediate crisis services such as community and/or hospital placement. 
• Ability to triage cases within a hospital placement with psychiatrists, medical professionals, and para-professionals for appropriate treatment and placement planning.
• Focuses on being a step-down service to divert psychiatric hospitalizations.
• Provide on-call support on a rotational basis as part of a crisis team.
• Documents all activities, collaboration, and consultation provided in accordance with attachment A-18 on Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) contract.
• Maintain and submit a quarterly report in the format prescribed by System Agency, by the 15th day of the month following each fiscal quarter containing all reported items.
• Maintain all reporting outcomes in SIRS (START Information Reporting System).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or related subject, supplemented by at least two (2) years of direct casework/case management or other non-profit medical provider entity; or possession of an equivalent combination of education training and experience which provides the requisite skills and abilities.  

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.
• Toxic/caustic chemicals; Explosives; Violence.
• Other extreme hazards not listed above.

Special Certifications and Licenses

• Must be able to be credentialed as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) in the timeframe designated by EHN.
• Must complete START coordinator certification within one (1) year of employment.
• 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.
• Must be able to wear a ballistic vest and flashlight when required.

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.