Description
Provide immediate assessment, de-escalation, and brief counseling for individuals experiencing acute mental health or substance use crises. Conduct risk and safety planning, coordinate emergency responses and referrals, deliver short-term stabilization and follow-up, and connect clients and families to community resources and ongoing care.
- • Triage crisis contacts (calls, texts, walk-ins) and determine acuity and level of care.
- • Conduct rapid biopsychosocial and risk assessments for suicide, homicide, abuse, and intoxication.
- • Use de-escalation techniques and brief, evidence-based counseling to stabilize clients.
- • Develop collaborative safety and crisis stabilization plans with clients and supports.
- • Coordinate with EMS, law enforcement, emergency departments, or mobile crisis teams for on-site response or transport.
- • Arrange voluntary or involuntary evaluations, hospitalization, or detoxification as indicated and complete required documentation.
- • Provide short-term follow-up contacts to monitor risk and promote engagement after the crisis.
- • Link clients and families to shelters, outpatient treatment, detox/rehab, peer support, and other community resources with warm handoffs.
- • Educate clients and caregivers on coping skills, harm reduction, medication adherence, and available services.
- • Document assessments, interventions, and outcomes promptly in the EHR and track stabilization goals.
- • Consult and collaborate with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and community partners to align care plans.
- • Revise safety plans and referrals as client status or risk level changes.
- • Participate in outreach, crisis-prevention programming, staff training, and continuing education while adhering to HIPAA and mandated reporting requirements.
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Healthcare & Human Services
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
