Mental Health Provider - Seattle, United States - City of Seattle, WA

Description

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is seeking four (4) Mental Health Providers to provide Mental Health Professional first line behavioral health response to Seattle 9-1-1 calls.

The department seeks to enhance public safety through a Co-Response model which will provide additional mental health professionals available to respond to people, while partnered with Seattle Police Officers, experiencing non-violent mental health crises or quality of life concerns to emergency and non-emergency responses, working in partnership with Seattle 9-1-1 and Seattle Fire Department.

Seattle 9-1-1 processes more than 800,000 telephone calls for service annually, the majority of which result in the dispatch of police, fire, rescue, and will now include the SPD's own Mental Health Providers.

The initial Co-Response team will consist of four (4) mental health community responders and one clinical supervisor.

The team will operate during a 12-hour period, currently anticipated to be 11 am to 11 pm (informed by crisis data trends and needs), seven days a week.

Mental Health Providers will be scheduled for 40 hours a week with the potential to work overtime.


Job Responsibilities:

• Lead and handle more complex crisis intervention level cases to individuals who have come to the attention of SPD.
• Provide guidance and consultation.
• Complete assessments of assigned clients through personal interviews to determine if or what assistance is necessary to achieve and/or maintain mental or health sufficiency.
• Assess/triage individual cases, potentially delegating less significant care navigation needs.
• Recommend to persons in crisis appropriate governmental and nonprofit support and programs (such as SSI, ABD, VA services), or to identify shelter options and housing support.
• Support and promote alternatives to jail and hospitalization to stabilize and improve the outcomes for community members experiencing behavioral or mental health crises.
• Develop and implement individual client service plans; act as a liaison and coordinate services between program participants and agencies; contact and monitor service providers; contact client in person or by phone; terminate client services.
• Follow up and or counsel clients and/or families and provide crisis intervention services; and identify and resolve obstacles to service delivery. Identify clients in unsafe situations and seek solutions such as protective supervision or alternative living situations.
• Prepare written status reports or case management notes, document interviews, observations, and recommendations in database, in compliance with HIPAA and department policy and ethical standards.
• Participate in departmental meetings providing insight and trend data concerning crisis intervention issues.
• Collaboratively work with other Community Crisis Responders, Mental Health Providers, Clinical Supervisors, and Department leadership to determine client eligibility for programs and authorize and/or recommend appropriate services.
• Develop and maintain client files and working relationships with service providers to obtain current information on resources available and eligibility requirements.
• Support in the development and implementation of curriculum/learning sessions when appropriate.
• Lead, coordinate, and provide support in key administrative functional areas of the Mental Health Provider Program.
• Develop and promote collaborative working relationships with service providers and other Seattle first responders to ensure quality care and case management support for community members.
• Manage internal project/caseload initiatives as assigned by supervisor and SPD leadership.
• Maintain communication with City of Seattle departments and partner agencies and conduct site visits as needed to worksite agencies to ensure compliance with personnel and employment laws, practices, and procedures.
• Strategize and identify potential resources and partnerships that contribute to the program's development. Ensure community outreach and coordination in areas of community mental, behavioral health, and crisis response.

Required Qualifications:

A master's degree in social work, psychology, or related field and two years of experience working with individuals with mental, behavioral, and/or emotional health concerns (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Position Requirements:

• Must pass a Seattle Police Department background investigation.
• Must have a valid Driver's license.
• Licensing from the Washington State Department of Health such as Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker or equivalency.
• Required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Required to work rotating shifts.
• Required to be exposed to adverse weather conditions.
• Exposed to toxic / hazardous/biohazard substances.
• Required to operate automotive vehicles.
• Required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work involves sensitive contact with people who are in crisis and/or may be utilizing substances.

Desired Qualifications:
You will be most successful in this role with a combination of the following:

• Working experience with DSHS workers, chemical dependency treatment providers, mental health providers, healthcare providers, shelter providers, landlords, detox centers, medical clinics and other community programs which may support vulnerable participants.
• Effective communication skills including written, active listening, and non-verbal communication.
• Effective skills in case investigation and management, evaluation of facts/circumstances and clients and crisis management.
• High cultural and emotional intelligence.
• Strong commitment to dignity and respect for all persons. Strong leadership and program/project management skills.
• Effective skills in case investigation and management, evaluation of facts/witnesses and clients and crisis management.

About the Department:

The Seattle Police Department is comprised of approximately 1,600 dedicated law enforcement professionals all committed to creating and fostering a work environment that is collaborative, innovative, and leading the way in law enforcement principles and practices.

Ours is a culture that encourages top performers to adhere to a standard of excellence in the identification of and resolution to complex challenges.

At SPD we acknowledge and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and pledge ourselves to creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences.

Additional Information:

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:

The full salary range for this position is $ $55.03 per hour.

New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $47.20 hourly. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) regular position with full benefits. This is a Civil Service position eligible for overtime.


How to Apply:

• Fill out an application at Job Number #:
• Attach a resume and cover letter that provide additional information on why your skills and experience make you qualified for this job.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Tunkara at