Job DescriptionJob DescriptionDescription:Days Off: Saturday, SundayShift: Office DayInsurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, MedicalOther 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.
PACT PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:The Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) is a nationally recognized practice that works with people with serious and persistent mental illness, assisting them in their journey towards recovery. The PACT model is distinguished by its intensive outreach and team-oriented, trans-disciplinary approach. In the PACT model, the entire team is responsible for every participant. PACT teams have daily team meetings in which they review the status of each person they serve and make a daily schedule of services to be provided in accordance to each participant’s current wants and needs.
DESC’s PACT team consists of a psychiatrist, nurses, mental health professionals, substance use disorder specialists, vocational specialists, and peer specialists all working together to help PACT participants reach their goals. Staff provide most services off-site, in the community where the help is needed. There is no time limit or mandatory cut-off point for services, but some participants do “graduate” to less intensive services.
JOB DEFINITION:The Program Manager administers, supervises and evaluates the PACT team, in order to ensure that program participants receive excellent clinical service. This position also functions as a practicing clinician on the team. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Supervisory and Administrative:Direct the day-to-day clinical operations of the team, including scheduling staff work hours, and facilitating the daily organizational staff meetings and treatment planning meetings.Continuously evaluate the treatment status of participants; plan and coordinate treatment activities to ensure immediate attention to participants’ changing needs. Direct and coordinate the participant referral and intake process, including completion of comprehensive assessments.Participate in hiring and onboarding of new program staff, as well as training and professional development of all team members, Provide clinical and administrative supervision to the Assistant Team Lead and Mental Health Professionals on the PACT team, in accordance with agency policy.Ensure timely and appropriate documentation of services, in compliance with agency policies and funder requirements, by training staff on medical record requirements and performing regular review of participant assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes written by the staff. Participate in quality-assurance activities, funder audits and reviews of use of program services. Maintain both agency-wide and program-specific policies and procedures and revise as necessary. Initiate and maintain working relationships with the three other PACT teams in King County, law-enforcement, hospitals, other human services agencies, and informal community resources (e.g., landlords, employers). Serve as a backup support to staff providing on-call crisis intervention and de-escalation services during evening and weekend hours. Clinical:Oversee the implementation of treatment across the following domains of PACT services: Mental Health and Personal Strengths, Sociocultural, Physical Health, Psychosocial, Substance Use, and Employment and Education.Directly provide and supervise staff in providing various clinical treatment services including case management, peer support and psychotherapy to individuals, groups and families. Work within the principles of Housing First and Harm Reduction, and use a strengths-based approach to providing clinical mental health services. Act as liaison and consult with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the treatment process.
Living Conditions:All DESC clinical leaders are responsible for ensuring that their teams support their clients to achieve and maintain healthy living conditions as applicable. This may include participating in unit cleaning when the need arises.
Other:Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures. Other duties as assigned. Requirements:MINIMUM 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.Master's degree in social work, psychology or other relevant behavioral science or Bachelor of Nursing degree with specialty in mental health.Two or more years' experience in community based behavioral health services.Experience working with adults experiencing homelessness, mental illness and/or substance use disorders.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 or experience in working with participants who are difficult to engage in traditional outpatient mental health programs. Strong commitment to the right and ability of each person with a severe and persistent mental illness to live in normal community residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services. Respect for participant rights and personal preferences in treatment are essential. Clear understanding and respect for the importance of maintaining participant confidentiality. Ability to communicate and work effectively with participants and staff from various cultural backgrounds. Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across DESC and other outside agency programs and of consideration and respect for participants. DESC expects a high degree of cooperation and collaboration among its staff, programs, and community agencies Able to prioritize multiple responsibilities, work independently and exercise sound professional, clinical judgment. Basic computer skills: email, data entry, file creation, correspondence. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:One or more years' supervisory experience.Licensed Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in State of Washington or actively pursuing one of these credentials.Qualified to provide Department of Health Approved Supervision to LICSW, LASW, LMFT and/or LMHC candidates.Bi-lingual English/Spanish. PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe 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.
Job DescriptionJob DescriptionDescription:Shift: Night (11:00pm - 9:30am)Days Off: Sunday, Monday, TuesdayShift Differential: $1.00 per hourInsurance Benefits: Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage), Dental, Life, Long-term DisabilityOther Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.
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 3,000 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.
About Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT):The Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT or “Meerkat”) at DESC, is a county funded program responsible for addressing the imminent and emergent needs of community members in crisis, in the central region of King County primarily covering the entirety of Seattle. The DESC team has been providing mobile crisis response services to the community for well over a decade.
As a nonprofit with over 45 years of experience focused on serving our community’s adults living with long histories of homelessness, behavioral health, and other disabling conditions, DESC is uniquely positioned to connect people in crisis to the important support and survival services they may need to overcome and prevent future occurrences of crisis, behavioral health distress, or other instabilities in our community.
JOB DEFINITION:As a member of DESC's Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team, you will be on the front lines responding to adults in the community experiencing mental health or substance use crises, as dispatched to us by Crisis Connections (988). You will work in a team alongside other skilled colleagues, including Mental Health Professionals and Certified Peer Counselors. Once called into action, teams of two will assist individuals responding to wherever they are in the community in identifying appropriate therapeutic options and next steps to resolve their crisis, while avoiding unnecessary usage of emergency rooms or other non-therapeutic settings like jail. We are working to stop the trend of criminalizing mental health disabilities and homelessness, and we want to make sure individuals in crisis get the help they need. Following our initial interaction, our teams will also follow up to ensure recommended service connections have been made to prevent future crisis events. The team works all throughout the central region of King County, primarily Seattle, in a wide variety of community settings every day throughout the year, and in all types of weather.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:In response to and cooperation with Crisis Connections and other referents (such as police, fire, medics), perform timely outreach services to individuals needing crisis intervention services, assessment, referral, and linkage to needed services.As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, conductive meaningful engagement to provide observation for multi-axial assessments, and substance use disorder assessments.Engage in crisis intervention, stabilization, and related activities. Establish and implement a plan to successfully engage clients in relevant services and other resources.As needed, provide follow-up services aimed at establishing linkage to services for program participants.Complete all data collection and documentation required. Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with programs providing services for the population served.Comply with all agency policies and procedures, and relevant titles of the Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington.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 psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients on caseload.Provide support to other DESC staff and programs around client crisis situations, including consultation and in-person responses to help assess and prevent emerging crisis events.Participate in verbal de-escalation and be able and willing to assist other staff as needed to maintain a safe, secure environment.Other duties as assigned. Requirements:MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Ability to meet Washington Department of Health requirements for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) or any other superseding credential.Relevant Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science, ORAssociate's degree and two years' experience in mental health or related fields.Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs.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.Be able to pass a Washington State Criminal background check.Experience and skills in working with mentally ill individuals who are difficult to engage and may resist services.Familiar with Recovery Principles, Crisis Intervention and Stabilization, Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders, Intensive Case Management, Illness Management, Trauma-Informed Treatment, and relevant Evidenced based/Emerging best practices.Knowledge of Harm Reduction strategies.Strong working knowledge of DSM IV (and its successor).Be able to assess situations quickly and respond appropriately to any type of mental health and/or chemical dependency crisis to ensure the physical and psychological safety of clients.Be willing to seek to understand each client's unique circumstances and personal preferences and goals and incorporate them into the crisis response to help the client regain a sense of control.Assist clients in accessing internal resources to reinforce the client's ability to resolve crisis on their own.Assist clients in identifying unmet needs that may be causing them to have recurrent crisis.Have a strong understanding of recovery and resilience, the value of client partnerships and client choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity.Possess strong communication and writing skills.Able and willing to provide community outreach anywhere in King County from which a referral may originate.Familiar with King County crisis response system, other relevant community resources, and methods of access.Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for program participants. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Bilingual in Spanish/English (fluent).Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as social work or psychology.Meet criteria as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP). 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 nonjudgmental 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 to sit, drive, walk, stand, communicate with other employees and vendors, is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 10 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. Considerable stress may occur. Employee will be working both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.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.
Job DescriptionJob DescriptionDescription:Days Off: Saturday, Sunday, MondayShift: Night (11:00pm - 9:30am)Shift Differential: $1.00 per hour in addition to salaryInsurance Benefits: Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage) , Dental, Life, Long-term DisabilityOther Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement PlanUnion Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.
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 3,000 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.
About Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT):The Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT or “Meerkat”) at DESC, is a county funded program responsible for addressing the imminent and emergent needs of community members in crisis, in the central region of King County primarily covering the entirety of Seattle. The DESC team has been providing mobile crisis response services to the community for well over a decade. As a nonprofit with over 45 years of experience focused on serving our community’s adults living with long histories of homelessness, behavioral health, and other disabling conditions, DESC is uniquely positioned to connect people in crisis to the important support and survival services they may need to overcome and prevent future occurrences of crisis, behavioral health distress, or other instabilities in our community.
JOB DEFINITION:As a member of DESC's Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team, you will be on the front lines responding to adults in the community experiencing mental health or substance use crises, as dispatched to us by Crisis Connections (988). You will work in a team alongside other skilled colleagues, including Crisis Outreach Specialists and Certified Peer Counselors. Once called into action, teams of two will assist individuals responding to wherever they are in the community in identifying appropriate therapeutic options and next steps to resolve their crisis, while avoiding unnecessary usage of emergency rooms or other non-therapeutic settings like jail. We are working to stop the trend of criminalizing mental health disabilities and homelessness, and we want to make sure individuals in crisis get the help they need. Following our initial interaction, our teams will also follow up to ensure recommended service connections have been made to prevent future crisis events. The team works all throughout the central region of King County, primarily Seattle, in a wide variety of community settings every day throughout the year, and in all types of weather.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:In response to and cooperation with Crisis Connections and other referents (such as police, fire, medics), perform timely outreach services to individuals needing crisis intervention services, assessment, referral, and linkage to needed services.As a Mental Health Professional of a multi-disciplinary team, provide multi-axial assessments, substance use disorder assessments, crisis intervention, stabilization, and meaningful engagement.Establish and implement a plan to successfully engage clients in relevant services and other resources.As needed, provide follow-up services aimed at establishing linkage to services for program participants.Complete all data collection and documentation required.Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with programs providing services for the population served.Comply with all agency policies and procedures, and relevant titles of the Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington.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.Provide support to other DESC staff and programs around client crisis situations, including consultation and in-person responses to help assess and prevent emerging crisis events.Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients on caseload.Participate in verbal de-escalation and be able and willing to assist other staff as needed to maintain a safe, secure environment.Other duties as assigned. Requirements: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.MINIMUM 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.Master's degree in social work, psychology or other relevant behavioral science or Bachelor of Nursing degree with specialty in mental health.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.Be able to pass a Washington State Criminal background check.Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs.Familiar with Recovery Principles, Crisis Intervention and Stabilization, Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders, Intensive Case Management, Illness Management, Trauma Informed Treatment, and relevant Evidenced based/Emerging best practices.Knowledge of Harm Reduction strategies.Strong working knowledge of DSM IV (and its successor).Be able to assess situations quickly and respond appropriately to any type of mental health and/or chemical dependency crisis to ensure the physical and psychological safety of clients.Be willing to seek to understand each client's unique circumstances and personal preferences and goals and incorporate them into the crisis response to help the client regain a sense of control.Assist clients in accessing internal resources to reinforce the client's ability to resolve crisis on their own.Assist clients in identifying unmet needs that may be causing them to have recurrent crisis.Have a strong understanding of recovery and resilience, the value of client partnerships and client choice, and the balance between protection from harm and personal dignity.Possess strong communication and writing skills.Able and willing to provide community outreach anywhere in King County from which a referral may originate.Familiar with King County crisis response system, other relevant community resources, and methods of access.Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behavior.Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for program participants.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Bilingual in Spanish/English (fluent).Bi-cultural background/experience and/or qualify as an Ethnic Minority, DD, or Geriatric Mental Health Specialist (per WAC 246-341 definition).Two years of experience providing crisis intervention services within the mental health and/or substance use disorder (SUD).Meet criteria as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP).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 to sit, drive, walk, stand, communicate with other employees and vendors, is required to lift and carry items weighing up to 10 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. Considerable stress may occur. Employee will be working both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. 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.
