The Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC) is seeking a Crisis Intervention Specialist for a direct hire opening at their Counseling and Treatment Center (92111).

Who we are:
Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC) is a 501(c) (3) organization that provides a comprehensive array of health and human services programming dedicated to improving the overall well-being of San Diego’s underserved communities. Our multicultural and multilingual staff speak more than 30 languages and dialects and provide services in more than 20 of these languages annually. With a focus on mental health, addiction treatment & recovery, housing counseling, community engagement and, business development, and cultural competency education, our goal is to strengthen underserved communities and assist their residents in achieving self-sufficiency.

About the role:

The Counseling and Treatment Center (CTC), is based on a holistic approach to service delivery with an understanding that adults, TAY and older adults with serious mental illness can benefit from linkages to primary care physicians, access to non-traditional and culturally accepted healing communities, family and peer support, culturally appropriate education about mental illness and substance use, employment support services, and skill development.

Primary Duties/responsibilities:

• The Crisis intervention specialist will be available to respond to urgent crisis needs that may arise.
• Duties under this role include but are not limited to assessment, de-escalation, coordination of care, contacting emergency services, conducting mental health screenings and behavioral health assessments; developing safety plans; provide individual and family, and rehab services to TAY (transitional aged youth), Adults and Older Adults.
• Crisis intervention services including assessment for voluntary or involuntary hospitalizations, if indicated; provide triage and assessment of Walk-In clients
• If needed; provide case management, family education/support and crisis intervention activities; provide periodic coverage of the After Hours calls; link clients to resources to obtaining vocation, educational and/or housing objectives.
• Crisis intervention specialist is considered a clinician and will be trained and experienced in diagnosing clients utilizing the DMS-5, capable of provides linkage with primary care physicians and psychiatrists
• Function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and participates in diagnosis, treatment and discharge planning
• Prepares medical records of all services rendered including care coordination with external providers and quality assurance activities
• Provide accurate and timely documentation of required reports, etc.
• Receives referrals from providers and community members with appropriate follow-up, including crisis intervention if needed; contacts the Reporting Party (RP) for each client referral that is assigned to acknowledge the referral and obtain and information if available
• Manage a caseload of approximately 60+ severely mentally ill clients; caseload size will vary and services may be provided in the client’s home and other community locations, if appropriate
• Conducts community services and outreach activities
• Participates in staff meetings, case conferences, treatment team meetings, trainings, utilization reviews and other quality assurance activities and maintain tracking system of all clients and services provided.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum requirements:

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling or human behavior from accredited college or university with major work in clinical therapy.
• Must be licensed in the State of California as a behavioral health professional, or must be registered with Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology.

Additional requirements include:

• Clinical experience in mental health setting, with solid clinical skills in individual therapy, assessments, crisis intervention, and case management
• Knowledge of theory and practice of psychotherapy, as well as principles and practice of community mental health and substance use disorders
• Understanding of cultural competency in the delivery of mental health services
• Understanding of and commitment to the psychosocial rehabilitation model of psychiatric rehabilitation services, and a strong belief in empowering clients/consumers towards recovery
• Trained and experienced in diagnosing clients utilizing the DSM-5 and ICD 10
• Familiarity with community resources and the delivery of case management services; and ability to establish and maintain diagnostic and psychotherapeutic relationships with clear understanding of ethical and professional standards.
• Experience in conducting individual and group therapy.
• Bilingual/bicultural in threshold language preferred.
• TB testing is required.
• Candidates will not be debarred or excluded from participation in Federal programs by the General Services Administration and/or the Department of Health and Human Services of the Inspector General.
• Must pass background check (Live Scan Fingerprint).

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

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. Spends approximately 70% of work time sitting and meeting with others or working at a desk and/or computer. Spends approximately 30% of work time standing or walking within the work area or outside the office at meetings and events, also bends, twists, stoops and reaches. Ability to communicate in writing and verbally. Regularly required to sit and talk or hear. Frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Working conditions are normal for an office environment and event venues. The noise level is usually moderate.

What we offer:

Health, dental, vision, voluntary life, life insurance, accident and critical illness, identity theft, pet insurance, disability insurance, generous PTO, sick time, 403 b matching, and employee assistance program.