General Function:

The East County Co-Responder will function as a member of a team, embedded with Emergency Medical Technicians as first response support. Incumbent will respond to individuals in social or emotional crisis to include those with symptoms of mental illness, substance use disorder, homelessness, and more alongside emergency personnel with the objective of reducing high utilization of emergency response, reducing reliance on hospital emergency departments, and improving peoples lives by connecting them to long-term, community-based systems of care.

The Co-Response Clinician will perform crisis intervention to reduce hospitalizations, effectively link consumers with on-going mental support services, contact Care Crisis Response Services to initiate designated crisis response (DCR) when appropriate, and provides a lens to view behavioral health challenges as manageable episodes. The Co-Responder accompanies EMT and first responders to calls and provides outreach to individuals after acute medical needs have been resolved. Work is performed to provide coverage during times of high call volume, which may consist of evening or weekend shifts. Response locations for those experiencing behavioral health crisis varies, and can include visits at hospitals, emergency departments, jails, encampments, or clients residence under the direction and supervision of an assigned manager.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides mobile crisis intervention and stabilization in varied environments in and throughout communities of Monroe and Sultan.
• Provides screening and triage services by telephone and/or face-to-face.
• Familiar with the challenges faces by those living in rural communities.
• Provide outreach, engagement and liaison support to those people that are seen on a recurring basis which may require short term intensive case management. Facilitate services for high-need individuals across all involved systems of care
• Respond to requests for information about available services for individuals who are high utilizers of emergency services, elderly, homeless, individuals with significant behavioral health disorders, and those with other human and social service needs. Make referrals to appropriate service providers and coordinate seamless connections to needed services.
• Maintains familiarity with and handles client information in accordance with Federal Regulations (HIPPA, 42 CFR, Part 2 and 45 CFR), and other applicable laws pertaining to confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintains timely, accurate documentation in accordance with WA State law and current best practices
• Demonstrates proficiency in utilization of electronic medical record system.

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Required Skills:

• Knowledge of symptoms, common behavioral and social characteristics and other manifestations of the disabilities affecting the population served
• Knowledge of conflict resolution principles, de-escalation, crisis intervention and planning, motivational interviewing, and problem-solving techniques
• Knowledge of presentation of mental illness related behaviors
• Ability to work in high stress, high demand environment while communicating clearly and effectively
• Ability to provide clear documentation of assessments and dispositions

• Qualifications:

• Possession of valid license issued by the State of Washington (LICSW, LASW, LMFT, LMHC, etc.) preferred, must qualify as a Mental Health Professional under RCW 71.34.020.
• Preferred: Experience working within first responder agencies, psychiatric units, or hospital system, and multilingual abilities.
• A valid Washington State Drivers License required.
• Successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation.