Therapist, Behavioral Health Crisis Center (PM)
Overview:
The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is strategically placed in Mobile County with easy access for the area with the highest need and the most frequent use, the midtown/downtown area of Mobile. This Crisis Center operates a 24/7/365 with a full complement of staff to provide crisis de-escalation and resolution no matter the time or the day.
A study of mental health related law enforcement calls shows that, as one of Alabama’s largest cities, Mobile has the highest demand for police and EMS within the I-65/I-165 corridor. Stationing the Diversion Center in this area will allow expeditious access from Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, and Escambia Counties, which will also utilize the Diversion Center. Mobile Metro Jail is the second largest jail in Alabama. The annual number of individuals booked into the jail is just under 20,000. Since the Stepping Up Initiative began last year, all inmates are screened for mental illness and substance use disorders. Last year 6,828 individuals screened positive for serious mental illness. This is a serious over-representation of mentally ill individuals per capita when compared to statistics for the general population. Most individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders are arrested for petty crimes. These individuals could be diverted from arrest with the addition of more Mobile Crisis response and a Behavioral Health Crisis Center. Based on data collected from Crisis Response Team calls, Access to Care, law enforcement, local emergency departments, and a Community Health Needs Assessments, the size and structure of the Crisis Center must consist of a large living room model staffed by peer specialists, an 18 recliner temporary observation unit, and a 6 bed extended observation unit.
Responsibilities:
Clinical Responsibilities:
Provides effective clinical assessment of the consumer
Utilizes assessment data to support a DSM V diagnosis
Formulates appropriate treatment plan along with consumer and families, as appropriate
Provides individual, group, and family therapy, utilizing basic therapeutic models and theories according to consumer needs as stated in the treatment plan
Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
Effectively collaborates with the treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of clinical services
Evaluates the consumer for discharge planning or movement to a less restrictive environment
Facilitates services that prevent commitment
Participates in weekend therapist rotation providing group and family counseling, crisis intervention and overseeing on-site consumer visitation facility-wide
Adheres to professional code of ethics
Effectively demonstrates the application of adult specific competencies
Assists with seclusion and restraint per AltaPointe policy and procedures
Supervision and Consultation:
Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed
Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
Actively works to enhance clinical skills
Clinical Record Keeping:
Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
Documents appropriate, complete, and clinically comprehensive mental health assessments
Documents measurable and specific goals in the treatment plan
Documents in a clear and concise manner, types of consumer problems, treatment goals addressed, services, and techniques used
Documents case disposition, case closings, follow-up and referrals
Documents legibly
Case Load Management:
Effectively manages caseload based on consumer needs
Meets AltaPointe productivity standards
Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers:
Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
Is pleasant and cooperative with others
Assists consumers and visitors as needed
Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences
Is gentle and calm with consumers and families
Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:
Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumer needs
Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures
Maintains current license and requirements for renewals (i.e. CEU’s), if applicable, and attends to required in-services and workshops
Physical Requirements:
There is frequent standing, sitting, and walking which are in bursts of 5 to 10 minutes. However, there are times when this can be extended to pacing with the consumer (time could be undetermined), and at times sitting and standing can be extended with the employee having the ability to change positions as permitted by the observance and behavior of the consumer at that time.
There is occasional forward bending from the hips while kneeling to reach to the side.
There is an occasional need to be able to assume a full squat/lunge from a standing position.
There is an occasional need to maintain back extension while being on stomach with one’s own body weight on hips and legs. This position is maintained for several minutes.
Occasionally, be able to put one’s own body weight on one knee and one elbow on the same side of one’s body.
Occasionally, be able to kneel and reach to same side toward the floor.
Lift up to 15 pounds from the floor to various levels, including from floor to overhead occasionally during shift.
Have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds to assist in activities of daily living, as required. Be able to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist.
Strong grasp is needed to use keys to open doors throughout the facility, and to maintain constant contact with a consumer during a restraint procedure or with other hold techniques.
Pushing/pulling force up to 25 pounds occasionally during shift.
At times, be able to ambulate in a quick manner (jog/run) for distances up to 50 feet.
Carrying up to 15 pounds various distances throughout the facility.
Occasional step ladder climbing to retrieve medical records that are on higher shelves.
Fine manipulation/dexterity to handle medical records and complete documentation.
At times therapy may be inside or outside the facility; therefore, some activities will dictate physical requirements for playing or games.
Qualifications:
Master’s degree in a mental health discipline.
Knowledge in adult specialty, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:
Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
Basic knowledge of the nature of addiction for referral purposes
Basic knowledge of Senior Adult issues for referral purposes
Knowledge of person-centered treatment planning
Knowledge of Safety Plans and Psychiatric Advance Directives
Knowledge of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Knowledge of Substance Use Disorders
Knowledge of Housing programs
Knowledge of VA programs
Knowledge of area shelters
Knowledge of Intellectual Disability placement services
Knowledge of inpatient Substance Abuse services
Knowledge of cultural diversity
Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practice
Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles
Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders
The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is strategically placed in Mobile County with easy access for the area with the highest need and the most frequent use, the midtown/downtown area of Mobile. This Crisis Center operates a 24/7/365 with a full complement of staff to provide crisis de-escalation and resolution no matter the time or the day.
A study of mental health related law enforcement calls shows that, as one of Alabama’s largest cities, Mobile has the highest demand for police and EMS within the I-65/I-165 corridor. Stationing the Diversion Center in this area will allow expeditious access from Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, and Escambia Counties, which will also utilize the Diversion Center. Mobile Metro Jail is the second largest jail in Alabama. The annual number of individuals booked into the jail is just under 20,000. Since the Stepping Up Initiative began last year, all inmates are screened for mental illness and substance use disorders. Last year 6,828 individuals screened positive for serious mental illness. This is a serious over-representation of mentally ill individuals per capita when compared to statistics for the general population. Most individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders are arrested for petty crimes. These individuals could be diverted from arrest with the addition of more Mobile Crisis response and a Behavioral Health Crisis Center. Based on data collected from Crisis Response Team calls, Access to Care, law enforcement, local emergency departments, and a Community Health Needs Assessments, the size and structure of the Crisis Center must consist of a large living room model staffed by peer specialists, an 18 recliner temporary observation unit, and a 6 bed extended observation unit.
Responsibilities:
Clinical Responsibilities:
Provides effective clinical assessment of the consumer
Utilizes assessment data to support a DSM V diagnosis
Formulates appropriate treatment plan along with consumer and families, as appropriate
Provides individual, group, and family therapy, utilizing basic therapeutic models and theories according to consumer needs as stated in the treatment plan
Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
Effectively collaborates with the treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of clinical services
Evaluates the consumer for discharge planning or movement to a less restrictive environment
Facilitates services that prevent commitment
Participates in weekend therapist rotation providing group and family counseling, crisis intervention and overseeing on-site consumer visitation facility-wide
Adheres to professional code of ethics
Effectively demonstrates the application of adult specific competencies
Assists with seclusion and restraint per AltaPointe policy and procedures
Supervision and Consultation:
Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed
Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
Actively works to enhance clinical skills
Clinical Record Keeping:
Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policy
Documents appropriate, complete, and clinically comprehensive mental health assessments
Documents measurable and specific goals in the treatment plan
Documents in a clear and concise manner, types of consumer problems, treatment goals addressed, services, and techniques used
Documents case disposition, case closings, follow-up and referrals
Documents legibly
Case Load Management:
Effectively manages caseload based on consumer needs
Meets AltaPointe productivity standards
Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers:
Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
Is pleasant and cooperative with others
Assists consumers and visitors as needed
Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differences
Is gentle and calm with consumers and families
Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:
Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
Accesses appropriate community resources according to consumer needs
Follows AltaPointe policies and procedures
Maintains current license and requirements for renewals (i.e. CEU’s), if applicable, and attends to required in-services and workshops
Physical Requirements:
There is frequent standing, sitting, and walking which are in bursts of 5 to 10 minutes. However, there are times when this can be extended to pacing with the consumer (time could be undetermined), and at times sitting and standing can be extended with the employee having the ability to change positions as permitted by the observance and behavior of the consumer at that time.
There is occasional forward bending from the hips while kneeling to reach to the side.
There is an occasional need to be able to assume a full squat/lunge from a standing position.
There is an occasional need to maintain back extension while being on stomach with one’s own body weight on hips and legs. This position is maintained for several minutes.
Occasionally, be able to put one’s own body weight on one knee and one elbow on the same side of one’s body.
Occasionally, be able to kneel and reach to same side toward the floor.
Lift up to 15 pounds from the floor to various levels, including from floor to overhead occasionally during shift.
Have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds to assist in activities of daily living, as required. Be able to lift up to 50 pounds from floor to waist.
Strong grasp is needed to use keys to open doors throughout the facility, and to maintain constant contact with a consumer during a restraint procedure or with other hold techniques.
Pushing/pulling force up to 25 pounds occasionally during shift.
At times, be able to ambulate in a quick manner (jog/run) for distances up to 50 feet.
Carrying up to 15 pounds various distances throughout the facility.
Occasional step ladder climbing to retrieve medical records that are on higher shelves.
Fine manipulation/dexterity to handle medical records and complete documentation.
At times therapy may be inside or outside the facility; therefore, some activities will dictate physical requirements for playing or games.
Qualifications:
Master’s degree in a mental health discipline.
Knowledge in adult specialty, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:
Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
Basic knowledge of the nature of addiction for referral purposes
Basic knowledge of Senior Adult issues for referral purposes
Knowledge of person-centered treatment planning
Knowledge of Safety Plans and Psychiatric Advance Directives
Knowledge of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Knowledge of Substance Use Disorders
Knowledge of Housing programs
Knowledge of VA programs
Knowledge of area shelters
Knowledge of Intellectual Disability placement services
Knowledge of inpatient Substance Abuse services
Knowledge of cultural diversity
Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practice
Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles
Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders