FT & PT Opportunities
POSITION SUMMARY
The Crisis Care Specialist (CCS) is a member of the CIC team to provide direct support, safety monitoring, and therapeutic assistance to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health crises in an urgent care setting. Working under the supervision of licensed clinical staff, the CCS staff help stabilize persons served, supports de-escalation efforts, and ensures a safe, trauma-informed environment within the crisis intervention center.
If there are periods when your primary responsibilities are limited, you may be asked to assist in other areas as needed to support overall operations, regardless of your specific role. This position is essential to operations and must be staffed at all times. Therefore, the current employee in this role will need to remain in place until a replacement is able to assume responsibilities. This position requires staff to work some holidays and will be rotated among the disciplines.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
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Manage crisis situations effectively using positive approaches and maintain a therapeutic milieu while assessing triggers & precursors to symptoms and risk factors to assist person served in stabilizing their crisis episode.
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Assists with admissions, discharges, appointments and transport of persons served.
- Thoroughly search and securing of person’s served belongings, documents accurate inventory and remove contraband.
- Monitoring and documenting person’s served safety, including 1:1 observation, and 15 minute safety checks on each person, and room searches.
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Assist with activities of daily living including but not limited to: ambulating, monitoring bathroom & shower use, delivering and monitoring meals & snacks, etc.
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Assist in facilitating treatment & recovery groups by engaging with person served to educate on recover-based skills.
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Demonstrates knowledge of program protocols and behavior management in carrying out suicide precautions, detox protocol and general treatment models as identified.
- Respond to crisis situations in a calm & non-reactive manner. Demonstrate effective verbal de-escalation and restraint techniques per agency policy and training at the direction of treatment team.
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Interacts with emergency personnel such as police, rescue, fire, and the agency Security team to facilitate emergency service needs while protecting persons served confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws.
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Participate as part of an integrated treatment team collaborating with the persons served, family members, or others they want involved in their treatment and other treatment team members (internal and external) to help support the individual in their treatment plan goals to work towards recovery and crisis resolution.
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Perform CLIA waived lab tests as requested by a Crisis Clinician, Medical Staff, or Supervisor.
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Demonstrate effective communication to achieve a positive relationship internally and externally.
- Establish appropriate and professional boundaries with all individuals. Treat individuals with Dignity and Respect at all times.
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Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
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Consistently demonstrate the ability to work effectively within a team as well as individually.
- Assure compliance with department and agency policy and procedures, guidelines, and timelines.
Other Duties
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Provide services that are recovery oriented, and person and family centered, utilizing a strengths-based approach.
- Provide services to meet the whole health needs of persons served.
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Utilize appropriate assessment instruments to help monitor the progress of persons served and ensure necessary services are received in the appropriate intensity and duration.
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Utilize Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) as appropriate
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Demonstrate cultural and linguistic competence
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Approach interactions with individuals served and colleagues with a trauma sensitive lens
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Acts as an ambassador of the agency in the community setting.
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Support and actively promote the vision and mission of the agency and the philosophy of the strength’s perspective
- Complete required agency and department trainings.
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Complete all assigned duties each shift, both written and implied.
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Other duties as assigned, as qualified and trained for.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
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High school diploma or GED required as well as 2 years of experience working with individuals with mental illness or in the human services field.
- Must be 21 years of age or older
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Must have a valid Kansas driver’s license, access to reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance.
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Must have good command of the English language; must be able to read, communicate clearly and therapeutically with person’s served and staff, both verbally and in writing, in a professional manner.
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Must be proficient at basic computer skills, keyboarding and word processing skills
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Successful completion of criminal background check and DCF Child & Adult Abuse Registry check, and other applicable background investigations.
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Assignment at the CIC requires pre-employment physical, drug screening, flu immunization and TB screening prior to starting any position. All must be completed or in process/scheduled to be cleared for new hire orientation. Annual flu vaccinations and bi-annual TB screening are required.
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Must be able to complete required KsTrain online trainings and program trainings
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
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Effective communication skills (verbal and written)
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Customer focused (internal and external)
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Excellent listening skills
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Accountability
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Reliability
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Trust/Integrity
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Adaptability/Flexibility
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Time Management
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Organizational Skills
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Proficiency in MS Office Suite with ability to learn other software programs as necessary
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Relationship building
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Problem Solving
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Attention to detail and accuracy in work
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Being collaborative
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Open to learning and accepting feedback
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Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
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Strengths based
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Family centered
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Community based
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Culturally respectful
Other Physical Requirements:
Must be able to kneel, bend, squat, hold, restrain or seclude an out-of-control person served at the direction of the medical team.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position works in a crisis intervention center in a fast-paced, high-intensity clinical setting that serves individuals experiencing acute psychiatric or emotional crises. The environment is structured, safety-focused, and requires constant awareness of individual behaviors and facility conditions. Staff frequently interact with individuals who may be distressed, unpredictable, or exhibiting challenging behaviors. Moderate risk of exposure to aggressive and/or acting out (verbal and physical) people served.
The facility emphasizes trauma-informed care, professionalism, and maintaining a compassionate, supportive atmosphere despite the potential for loud, chaotic, or emotionally demanding moments.
Astra Mental Health and Recovery is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious practices, in accordance with applicable law and guidance issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Astra does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, training, corrective action, and termination.
