A Mental Health or Psychiatric Technician cares for patients with mental illnesses. Works under the direction of a physician and works with specialists involved in mental health care, such as psychiatrists and therapists. Monitors patient symptoms and administers medications. Works in a mental health facility or in a hospital or other healthcare facility.
6 to 12 hour shifts that could include days, nights, weekends and holidays.
COMPENSATION
$25.50-$30.75, including daily overtime pay for shifts longer than 8 hours
Director:
SAFE Team Program Manager SUBMIT:
Cover Letter and Resume to jobs@petalumapeople.org
POSITION OVERVIEW
In 2021, Petaluma People Services Center launched Specialized Assistance For Everyone (SAFE). SAFE is a community collaboration to address crisis response prevention and intervention for our most vulnerable community members experiencing mental health, substance abuse and/or homelessness. Under direction, the SAFE Crisis Intervention Specialist provides community-based crisis intervention services for children and adult populations with mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses on mobile crisis and mobile evaluation teams which includes direct client contact in the community, partnering with law enforcement, crisis intervention, field clinical assessments, outreach services, and other related duties as assigned. As part of this 24 hour, 365 days a year program, the SAFE Crisis Intervention Specialist will be partnered with a
PPSC SAFE
Team CIS or EMT and respond to dispatched calls and initiate proactive outreach during the shift. The SAFE team deals with a wide range of mental health-related crisis, including conflict resolution, welfare checks, substance abuse, suicide threats, and more, relying on trauma-informed de-escalation and harm reduction techniques.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Work 6-to-12-hour shifts providing crisis intervention, de-escalation, welfare checks, and connecting clients to resources throughout our partnering jurisdictions, being dispatched by the 911 system. Assume primary responsibility for making mental health assessments of clients and for providing crisis intervention and de-escalation. Responds to crisis calls in the community to conduct clinical assessment, risk of harm, and determine appropriate level of care service and referrals coordinating with team navigator. Provide field assessment, evaluation, and intervention for adults, adolescents, and children at risk of psychiatric hospitalization, safety planning and/or transporting clients to hospital for voluntary psychiatric evaluations. Attend required department and Teams meetings and share other responsibilities as relevant. Perform regular, proactive outreach during downtime. Complete all required trainings, including defensive driver training Complete a 6-month probation period. Ability to work independently and as a team Ability to work with respect to cultural diversity Must be able to work in any of the assigned SAFE jurisdictions (Petaluma, Rohnert Park/Cotati, Novato, and San Rafael) Must be willing to work day, night, weekend and/or holiday shifts
Ability to work effectively with a diverse population, including impoverished and alienated persons Must be able to pass a stringent criminal background check and driving record review Ability to be organized and complete reports/computer data entry in timely manner Current certification in first aid & CPR A sense of humor Must be available to work day, night, weekends, and holidays Must pass background check(s) Associate or bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., psychology, public health, sociology, social & behavioral sciences) and/or at least four (4) years of paid or volunteer experience in mental health, substance use, or homelessness services.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Bilingual (English & Spanish) wanted, bicultural preferred Strong written communication skills (e.g. reports, e-mails) Excellent telephone and oral communication skills Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, coworkers, clients and the public Assist in team presentations when applicable
REASONING ABILITY
Sensitivity to cultural differences present in the organization's/program's service population Ability to apply common sense and critical thinking to carry out instructions and make decisions within scope of authority Ability to deal with problems involving several variables Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING
Uses assigned email address for ALL work-related communication Communicates weekly with SAFE team members and SAFE management Ability to check email for shift opportunities and team updates
COMPLIANCE
Understands and adheres to all policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook and SAFE Manual
KNOWLEDGE
Stays current about best practices in crisis intervention GENERAL Performs other tasks as assigned by management or as needed
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED
Ability to operate a cell phone, police radio, and laptop computer. Ability to drive and to repeatedly climb in and out of a commercial van
ADA COMPLIANCE - PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, COGNITIVE & PSYCHOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS
Physical:
Regularly sits up to 2-3 hours per day. Gets up and down frequently throughout the day to interface with others. Must have excellent hearing, speech and writing capabilities. Must be able to carry up to 35 pounds frequently and support up to 100 pounds periodically.
Environmental:
Works alone, with and around others. The work environment is moderately noisy. Distractions are regular.
Cognitive:
Required to read, write, compile, sort and analyze simple to moderately complex information. Independently assesses workload and prioritizes activities. Very strong organizational and planning skills. Able to communicate and resolve semi-complex problems independently. Excellent listening skills and ability to perform tasks requiring great attention to detail. Uses judgment and initiative, within defined limits of discretion, in making recommendations and decisions.
Psychological:
Strong interpersonal and communications skills to deal with emotional, demanding or difficult people and/or situations. Regular exposure to high-stress situations with demands, deadlines, shifting priorities, and multi-tasking. Excellent teamwork and proactive group participation are a necessity.
BENEFITS
Paid sick time PPSC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. It is our strong belief that equal opportunity for all employees is central to the continuing success of our organization. We will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, physical disabilities or medical condition (i.e., AIDS or ARC-related or cancer) or any other category protected by Federal or State law in hiring, promoting, demoting, training, benefits, transfers, layoffs, terminations, recommendations, rates of pay or other forms of compensation. Opportunity is provided to all employees based on qualifications and job requirements.
