JOB
King County's Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, and connected to community.
Our Behavioral Health and Recovery Division is looking to hire up to 10 career service Designated Crisis Responders (DCR), one being part-time (28.5 hours per week), and the rest full-time. The responsibilities of the DCR includes investigating cases of adults and juveniles believed to have a behavioral health disorder and to be a danger to themselves, others, property and/or who are gravely disabled. Incumbents determine whether these persons should be involuntarily detained for treatment under RCW 71.05 and RCW 71.34 and coordinate cases through the legal system. The DCR team provides investigation services for involuntary detention on a 24-hour-a-day basis and must be able to meet with and interview patients in a variety of physical locations with difficult access, such as apartments on upper floors with no elevator service, alleys, parks, homeless camps and under bridges. Incumbents must also be able to anticipate and respond to threats by potentially hostile or violent patients.
Crisis and Commitment Services unit's mission is to provide quality care, and to protect public safety while maintaining individual rights by attempting to resolve the crisis in the least restrictive manner.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
To be considered minimally qualified, applicants must demonstrate a background that provides the knowledge, skill and ability to:
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Work collaboratively with community partners (i.e. hospital, evaluation and treatment facility, law enforcement, court, families, witnesses, etc.) to assist in evaluation and disposition plan for patients.
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Make a legal decision as to whether an individual meets the statutorily requirements to be taken into custody and involuntarily hospitalized under RCW 71.05 and 71.34.
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Determine nature and level of crisis, provide crisis intervention, assess credibility of witnesses, coordinate with law enforcement and treatment agencies, and determine if statutory requirements are met.
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Ensure proper preparation and filing of legal papers, prepare declarations, serve subpoenas and notice of hearings, consult with King County Prosecuting Attorney and public defender, testify in court if needed. If the DCR testimony is necessary to proceed in court hearing, may be required to be available to the court on scheduled time off.
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Maintain all aspects of case file in a timely manner and communicate with colleagues to ensure efficiency and completeness of record.
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Advocate for patients to obtain appropriate treatment and continuity of care. Provide assistance in finding less-restrictive alternatives to involuntary detention.
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Educate patients’ families, service agencies and the community regarding clinical issues, legal issues and treatment alternatives.
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Participate in training new colleagues in the field, when so assigned, as mutually agreed to by supervisor and training employee.
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Provide shadowing opportunities for community partners approved by management to shadow the DCR, as long as it does not impede with safety.
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Perform other related duties as assigned.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
