Crisis Response Clinician

Full Job Description

The Office of Community Health & Safety (OCH&S) works to reduce health disparities and minimize criminal legal system involvement for Pittsburgh’s most vulnerable residents.

Through its Continuum of Support, OCH&S integrates clinical expertise with public safety partners to provide public health–informed crisis response and improve quality of life.

The Crisis Response Clinician (CRC) is a key member of OCH&S’s Crisis Response Team, reporting to the Behavioral Health Intervention Team’s Program Manager.

Working with another clinician in a paired, team-based model, the CRTC delivers on-scene and community-based crisis intervention and stabilization for individuals experiencing mental or behavioral health emergencies—bridging behavioral health and public safety to address needs in real time.

Paired clinicians respond to calls for service dispatched across City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

The team intervenes after first-responder public safety personnel have cleared the scene for safety by assessing, de-escalating, and providing connections to care in the least restrictive setting possible.

The nature of behavioral health crises varies depending on clinical presentation and acuity.

The CRT is an innovative initiative aimed at addressing the challenges faced by both residents and the pre-existing response paradigm.

Department: Office of Community Health & Safety
Posting Type: Announcement
Salary: $68,162 per year.
Union: None, this is a non-union position.
Civil Service Classification: Non-Competitive

Requirements

General Requirements:
You must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application, including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable), and completed supplemental questions.
• Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and must remain a resident throughout employment.
  • Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

A current, valid Pennsylvania Class C Driver's License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

The Department of Human Resources & Civil Service will consider individual written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• PA Child Abuse History Certification Clearances are required prior to appointment.

NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation, as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered.

NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.

Qualifying Requirements:
Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will receive notice of your eligibility status.

WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show three (3) years of full-time experience working in specialty areas such as substance abuse, harm reduction, familiarity with the criminal legal system, crisis intervention, victim support, mental/behavioral health support, collaborating or coordinating with health and safety programs, and working with the public.

(Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)

EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a Master of Social Work Degree (MSW) or a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree (CMHC) from a fully accredited institution.

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) preferred.

(See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training.)

EQUIVALENCY: Education/training may be substituted for work experience on a year-for-year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position, based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above.

The Total Qualifying Requirement is nine (9) years.

(See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training.)Bachelor of Social Work Degree (BSW) and five (5) years of full-time experience working in specialty areas such as crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, community-based mental health support, suicide prevention, risk assessment, or coordinating with public health and safety programs.

Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and five (5) years of full-time experience in the subject areas of: crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, community-based mental health services, suicide prevention, risk assessment, or emergency response.

Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and five (5) years of full-time experience in the subject areas of: crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, community-based mental health services, suicide prevention, risk assessment, or emergency response.

Master of Social Work degree (MSW) and three (3) years of experience working in specialty areas such as crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, community-based mental health support, suicide prevention, risk assessment, or coordinating with public health and safety programs.

Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree (CMHC) and three (3) years of full-time experience working in specialty areas such as crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, community-based mental health support, suicide prevention, risk assessment, or coordinating with public health and safety programs.

Master of Counseling Psychology and three (3) years of full-time experience working in specialty areas such as crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, community-based mental health support, suicide prevention, risk assessment, or coordinating with public health and safety programs.

Qualifications

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s).

You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position.

Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.

• Written: None required for this position.
• Performance: None required for this position.
• Medical: None required for this position.

Additional Information

• SCHEDULE: The standard schedule is Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. However, shift times may be adjusted in response to call volume or emerging community needs.
• Practices OCH&S values and principles, emphasizing harm reduction, person-centered, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Adheres to principles of social work and professional counselor code of ethics and consults Program Manager when navigating and resolving ethical dilemmas.
• Provides mobile crisis response services by responding to calls for service across City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods, responding to calls dispatched through County 911, and intervening as requested after public safety personnel have cleared the scene for safety, done via vehicle or other mobile unit.
• Conducts on-scene de-escalation, stabilization, risk assessment, and safety planning in the least restrictive environment possible.
• Delivers stabilization and support during mental and behavioral health crises in the least restrictive environment possible.
• Assesses biopsychosocial factors related to the immediate crisis, develops stabilization strategies, and coordinates follow-up care and referrals.
• Regularly communicates with the Program Manager and other OCHS leadership as needed regarding ongoing work and to facilitate problem-solving.
• Engages in multidisciplinary case conferencing and collaborates with internal and external partners to ensure effective support.
• Facilitates referrals to internal OCH&S programs and community-based services
• Documents program participants’ interactions and calls thoroughly and promptly.
• Communicates with individuals, families, and providers via in-person, phone, or electronic methods to assess concerns and determine needs.
• Collaborates with public safety and community partners to enhance coordinated crisis response.
• Participates in team and staff meetings as required.
• Engages in daily participant and program outreach via vehicle, and on foot through frequent walking, and other means necessary to render services.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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