Job Type

Description

Days Off: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Shift: Night Shift (9pm-7:30am)

Shift Differential: $1.00 per hour

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

About DESC:

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 2,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

JOB DEFINITION:

As a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing crisis intervention services at a residential treatment facility, Behavioral Health Case Managers assist in creating and implementing client centered, detailed disposition plans; facilitate group and individual counseling; work with other clinical staff to ensure services are fully integrated with mental health, chemical dependency, and primary care; develop and maintain a comprehensive list of community resources; provide transportation for clients as necessary; participate in staff meetings and trainings; and maintain a safe and clean environment.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing on-going case management services to adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses and/or chemical dependency issues.
• Provide phone screenings for referents to the CSC.
• Engage clients admitted to the CSC and maintain working relationships through creative resourceful strategies which build trust and confidence.
• Assist in creating and implementing discharge plans; develop goal planners with client's participation; facilitate linkages to collaborative resources when appropriate.
• Assume primary responsibility for coordinating all aspects of client's support and goal planners. This includes: providing and/or coordinating the delivery of psychiatric treatment; substance abuse treatment; 24-hour support services; and performing acute case management to facilitate client access to food, clothing, housing, medical care, financial assistance and vocational training or employment.
• Advocate for clients' access to community resources and services, ensuring that clients' needs are met and rights maintained; consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Participate in the planning, organizing and facilitating of group treatment services for clients served by the mental health program.
• Provide crisis intervention and risk assessment; tolerate unusual or unpleasant behavior.
• Provide counseling, as qualified.
• Document services provided.

OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients admitted to the CSC.
• Comply with the agency's clinical accountability policies and procedures; maintain current and complete clinical and administrative records; participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned.
• Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively under supervision, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and independently, when necessary.
• Take initiative to meet the changing needs of community mental health treatment.
• Promote and maintain positive relationships with the surrounding neighborhood.
• Participate in verbal de-escalation and physical interventions in emergent situations and be willing and able to assist other staff as needed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Provide transportation for clients as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Relevant Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science, OR  
• A combination of 1 year* of relevant paid work experience and demonstration of the ability to perform required job duties.
• Ability to meet Washington Department of Health requirements for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) or any other superseding credential
• Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business. A current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record are required. 
• Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs.
• Be able to pass a Washington State Criminal background check.
• Willingness to be flexible and work cooperatively with coworkers to accomplish all responsibilities of the team.
• Interest in and experience working with individuals disabled by mental illness and/or substance abuse who are experiencing a crisis.
• Interest in or experience working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health programs.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
• Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.
• Ability to work flexible hours as required by program and staffing needs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Eligible for a Licensed AAC credential or any other superseding credential that meets RCW 71.05.020 requirements to act as a Mental Health Professional whose scope of practice includes independently conducting mental health assessments and making mental health diagnoses (Applicants who meet this qualification are eligible for a higher pay scale)
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Bicultural background/experience and/or qualify as an Ethnic Minority, DD, or Geriatric Mental Health Specialist (per WAC 388-865-0150 definition).
• Knowledge of de-escalation skills, crisis intervention & stabilization, and harm reduction strategies.

Strong applicants are able to demonstrate the ability to be positive in their empathetic responses to all persons; understand the value of meaningful and deep client engagement; have the potential to acquire the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills of an effective crisis worker; and value a non-judgmental response to sensitive issues. Candidates should be able to accept feedback and work in a highly collaborative and potentially stressful environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required sit for long periods of time, communicate with other persons by talking and hearing, required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Salary Description