988 Crisis Counselor

Overview
988 Crisis Counselor needed in Tacoma, WA
$28 - $34 per hour
Care Crisis Response Services (CCRS)
Location: This position is based onsite at a 911 crisis call center. This position is NOT remote
CCRS is a 24/7 crisis center that provides suicide prevention/intervention, crisis intervention, and professional consultation services, including triaging requests for behavioral health evaluations. We provide brief crisis counseling and assist the community and clients in determining what services are most appropriate for the current behavioral health crisis.
Position Overview:
This full-time, hourly position helps to divert behavioral health related calls from 911 to the 988 team by de-escalating callers, assessing for safety, providing crisis intervention, referrals to community resources, and brief supportive counseling services to callers transferred from 911 who are in emotional distress and/or seeking information about mental health services. The 988 Crisis Counselors are co-located at the 911 crisis center and complete all interactions with callers by telephone and/or SMS. The 988 Crisis Counselors are responsible for utilizing Lifeline Best Practices for clients at risk for suicide including completing a thorough safety assessment, providing validation and emotional support, safety planning, mandated reporting procedures, and referring back to 911 for emergency interventions as needed. This position is responsible for referring callers to the larger 988 team for follow-up or to regional crisis lines as appropriate.
Qualifications:

• Must be able to obtain necessary security clearance for accessing the CAD system and working on-site at the 911 center
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or related field required.
• At least two (2) years of experience in a healthcare contact center and/or in mental health counseling. Suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and/or mental health information and referral services experience preferred
• Candidate should be comfortable working independently and as part of a team in a collegial group environment
• Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration is required within 30 days of employment, or equivalent, and must remain in active status during employment
• Must have ability to adapt and be flexible to changes in protocol and program needs

Required Skills:

• Fluency in the English language, both oral and written
• Courteous, empathic, and professional manner
• Knowledge of Motivational interviewing techniques
• Active listening skills to establish collaborative relationship with clients
• Efficiency with information-gathering and problem-solving to facilitate positive call resolutions
• Skills for collaborating with and facilitating
• Superior communication skills to convey information to clients clearly, accurately, and completely
• Ability to simultaneously talk and type while utilizing multiple screens and/or windows
• Demonstrated respect for diversity
• Ability to quickly and accurately document chart notes in an electronic medical record
• Efficiency with balancing pace and flow of conversation and call time

Benefits:

• Vacation and Sick Time: accruals are based on hours worked, available to use after 30 days of employment.
• Holidays: 8 paid per year
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Savings Account (FSA) - medical & dependent care
• Free Employee Assistance program
• 403(b) Retirement Plan matching
• Paid travel time between clients; Mileage reimbursement; and free trainings