Mental Health Professional - Delaware County, PA

Hours: PRN

POSITION SUMMARY: As a member of the Mobile Crisis for Law Enforcement program (MCLE), the Mental Health Professional (MHP) accompanies law enforcement officers in responding to police dispatches related to mental health crises. After the police have secured the scene, the MHP works with individuals and their community supports to assess and de-escalate a crisis, determine the level of care necessary to meet the individual's needs, develop alternatives to involuntary hospitalization through conducting assessments, treatment planning, counseling, and coordination of community care linkages and discharge process. The MHP coordinates the involuntary hospitalization process in situations where individuals present as dangerous to themselves or others. The MHP acts as an advocate and represents the needs and rights of persons served with outside social service agencies, families, etc.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Accompany CIT trained police officers in assigned jurisdiction to police dispatches related to mental health crises, riding with police officers in police vehicles and wearing bullet proof vest under clothes at all times as an added precaution
• After the police officer has secured the scene for safety, complete an assessment for individuals throughout assigned area of Delaware County; develop and secure appropriate services for individuals in crisis, including referrals to voluntary inpatient settings and applications for involuntary emergency examination and treatment; provide linkages to community supports, supportive counseling, and substance abuse services; and always reflect the possibility of recovery to provide continuity of care
• Complete referrals for follow-up services by community mental health and other supports by assisting in the completion of application for entitlements, and completing Emergency Care Provider Intake
• Provide all required documentation including intakes, progress notes, medical charting, discharge plans, and individual assessments to ensure records are up-to-date and in compliance with regulatory standards and contractual expectations
• Advocate for individuals served with outside agencies including, but not limited to Social Security, Department of Public Welfare, the County Office of Behavioral Health, Base Service Units, etc. by developing relationships and communicating the needs of the individuals served
• Interface with families of persons served and other interested parties to update them on their progress and to make any needed provisions and resources for continuity of care
• Maintain communication with physician, psychiatrist, pharmacist, and other appropriate ancillary service providers such as speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy as relevant to providing emergent services to ensure quality of care
• Intervene in crisis situations by using evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches such as motivational interviewing and crisis de-escalation
• Attend scheduled staff team meetings and participate as a member of the interdisciplinary team to provide updates on client progress
• Maintain complete and accurate clinical records to ensure compliance and note any changes to the treatment plan to ensure continuity of care
• Conduct fire drills and building inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards and provide the appropriate documentation and any incident reports for same
• Attend appropriate in-service training as directed by supervisor, to stay abreast of best practices, industry trends and to stay in compliance with regulatory standards
• Provide counseling, guidance, support, resources, and encouragement to persons served to take responsibility for and actively participate in their own recovery
• Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each person's point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and in which the person' self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported
• Increase awareness of, and support participation in, self-help programs and advocacy organizations that promote recovery
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and crisis intervention using agency-trained protocols
• Remain on duty until relieved
• Perform other duties as assigned

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Clinical Supervisor

DIRECT REPORTS: None

CONTACTS: Individuals served and their families and caregivers, agency staff, general public, funding source representatives, program evaluation personnel, related professional agencies/social service agencies, community mental health centers and hospitals, advocacy groups, county and state government representatives, employers and other stakeholders.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in a human service field, including but not limited to social work, psychology, counseling, rehabilitation education, etc. with five (5) years mental health experience; OR master's degree in a human service field with three (3) years mental health experience; OR bachelor's degree in nursing with three (3) years mental health experience; OR registered nurse certified in psychology or psychiatry.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage and prioritize multiple, often competing, priorities
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated excellent judgment with the ability to independently solve problems and make decisions with little or no need for direct supervision
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needed changes or identify problem areas and take effective actions
• Must be able to perform CPR and crisis intervention using agency-trained protocols
• Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, presentation, and written and verbal communication skills
• Basic experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge in the use of electronic health records
• Must have current, valid driver's license in state of residence, three (3) years driving experience in the United States, and acceptable driving record