911 Behavioral Health Call Specialist 731

• Receive direct transfer of calls from individuals seeking behavioral health assistance via 911 or telehealth;
• Provide de-escalation services to individuals calling 911 in distress while police are en route;
• Intercept calls eligible for behavioral health screening that are pending police response with goal of cancelling police response;
• Determine need for behavioral health service intervention through assessment of demographic, social, and clinical information;
• Determine the level of risk of harm to self or others;
• Determine urgency of response based on caller presenting risk factors including, but not limited to, identification of acute psychosis, possible suicidal behavior or thoughts, thoughts to harm others;
• Initiate referral to appropriate response based on identification of urgency, including emergency response where extreme and high urgency is identified;
• Give caller clear and concise information about the services available and options for further assessment or treatment including to call back should the situation escalate;
• Ensure that the consumer has a clear understanding of the triage process and subsequent follow up actions;
• Provide follow-up telephone contact for identified persons;
• Use technology such as Waco Police Department Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), HOTBHN electronic health record, and Doxy.me for Telehealth;
• Optional duties may include responding in the field for crisis assessments as part of the EMCOT field response team.

• Knowledge of mental illness and emotional components of physical illness; psychiatric diagnosis, psychosocial assessments, and crisis intervention.
• Demonstrated skill in crisis assessments and reporting results of interviews.
• Considerable ability to work cooperatively and effectively with professional personnel (i.e., law enforcement, jail staff, hospitals, shelters, etc.); to exercise tact, initiate, and good judgment in dealing with clients and relatives; to prepare reports and make recommendations for administrative use; to speak and write effectively; to relate to people and to interact with consumers.
• As an employee of the Center, it is my duty, at all times, to incorporate the principles of Trauma-Informed Care, which includes cultural sensitivity, throughout the Center, emphasizing a safe and respectful environment for all clients and staff.

• Experience in providing behavioral health services for persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses, a working knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis, psychosocial assessments, and crisis intervention. Required
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a major in behavioral, social sciences, humanities, or education. Required

• Knowledge of mental illness and emotional components of physical illness; psychiatric diagnosis, psychosocial assessments, and crisis intervention.
• Demonstrated skill in crisis assessments and reporting results of interviews.
• Considerable ability to work cooperatively and effectively with professional personnel (i.e., law enforcement, jail staff, hospitals, shelters, etc.); to exercise tact, initiate, and good judgment in dealing with clients and relatives; to prepare reports and make recommendations for administrative use; to speak and write effectively; to relate to people and to interact with consumers.
• As an employee of the Center, it is my duty, at all times, to incorporate the principles of Trauma-Informed Care, which includes cultural sensitivity, throughout the Center, emphasizing a safe and respectful environment for all clients and staff.

Heart of Texas Region Mental Health Mental Retardation