Job Description Summary: 

Crisis Specialist is a member of the Ozark Center Crisis Intervention Team and as such has responsibilities to provide crisis intervention and resolution twenty-four (24) hours per day, every day. Linkage and referral capabilities with a twenty-four (24) hour emergency hotline have been established to assure prompt and adequate response by the Crisis Intervention Team. Crisis Specialists shall have twenty-four (24) per day access to a physician for consultation and emergency face-to-face intervention when appropriate. Crisis Specialist provides services to individuals impacted by a variety of behavioral health (addiction/substance use and mental health) issues, recognizing that the individuals we serve often times have experienced trauma that affects their development and adjustment. Crisis Specialist demonstrates a warm and welcoming empathic, hopeful attitude, conveying a philosophy of dual recovery.  Crisis Counselor will be trained in trauma-informed care and will work to help provide services in an environment that is sensitive and responsive which will prevent victimization, abuse, or trauma as a result of the care received. Crisis Specialists shall have immediate access to and be supervised by Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).

Education:

Crisis Specialist will meet any of the following educational and experience requirements:

• A master’s degree in behavioral health or related field, meeting the criteria as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as outlined by Missouri Department of Mental Health, having completed a practicum or one (1) year of experience in behavioral health.
• A Qualified Addition Professional (QAP) as outlined by the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
• A bachelor’s degree in a human services field with at least one (1) year of experience in behavioral health or a social service related field.
• A high school diploma with any combination of four years of higher education and/or qualifying experience in behavioral health.

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct clinical service in managing crisis intervention and hospitalization in emergency situations.
• Assure that the following basic principles of crisis intervention underlie delivery of these services:
  • Assistance must be easily accessed and immediately available.
  • Crisis should be viewed in systems terms, suggesting the need to involve significant others to resolve the precipitating event, if possible.
  • Crisis services should focus on the present and reduce stress and tension.
  • Medication may be a necessary strategy to reduce stress.
  • Active intervention including advocacy, supportive guidance, and identification of adaptive responses are generally required to resolve the crisis.
• Evaluate all identified Ozark Center patients at the Crisis Services Office by phone only. This shall include Ozark Center patients whose case manager is unavailable during regular business hours.
• Provide phone consultation for all emergency room patients who are requiring some type of referral or deposition from the hospital staff.
• Knowledgeable in involuntary detention laws and procedures and consults with the area Mental Health Coordinator and/or Community Behavioral Health Liaison.
• The Crisis Specialist shall report to the Crisis Services Supervisor for program specific supervision and shall be under the administration of the Director and Assistant of Crisis Services.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.  Other duties may be assigned.  Crisis Specialists will be cross trained for other positions within the Crisis Services department, for which they are qualified to perform based on their education and/or experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal office environment. 
• Ability to stay awake and be responsive throughout shift. 
• Typical demands include prolonged sitting, frequent standing, bending, stooping, and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. 
• Requires normal range of hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator, and other office equipment as needed. 
• Requires ability to work under stressful conditions and to work irregular hours and deal with irate individuals.
• TB test upon hire.