The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is strategically placed in Mobile County with easy access for the area with the highest need and the most frequent use, the midtown/downtown area of Mobile. This Crisis Center operates a 24/7/365 with a full complement of staff to provide crisis de-escalation and resolution no matter the time or the day.
A study of mental health related law enforcement calls shows that, as one of Alabama’s largest cities, Mobile has the highest demand for police and EMS within the I-65/I-165 corridor. Stationing the Diversion Center in this area will allow expeditious access from Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, and Escambia Counties, which will also utilize the Diversion Center. Mobile Metro Jail is the second largest jail in Alabama. The annual number of individuals booked into the jail is just under 20,000. Since the Stepping Up Initiative began last year, all inmates are screened for mental illness and substance use disorders. Last year 6,828 individuals screened positive for serious mental illness. This is a serious over-representation of mentally ill individuals per capita when compared to statistics for the general population. Most individuals with mental illness or substance use disorders are arrested for petty crimes. These individuals could be diverted from arrest with the addition of more Mobile Crisis response and a Behavioral Health Crisis Center. Based on data collected from Crisis Response Team calls, Access to Care, law enforcement, local emergency departments, and a Community Health Needs Assessments, the size and structure of the Crisis Center must consist of a large living room model staffed by peer specialists, an 18 recliner temporary observation unit, and a 6 bed extended observation unit.
ResponsibilitiesClinical Responsibilities:
Provides effective clinical assessment of the consumerUtilizes assessment data to support a DSM V diagnosisFormulates appropriate treatment plan along with consumer and families, as appropriateProvides individual, group, and family therapy, utilizing basic therapeutic models and theories according to consumer needs as stated in the treatment planDemonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situationEffectively collaborates with the treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of clinical servicesEvaluates the consumer for discharge planning or movement to a less restrictive environmentFacilitates services that prevent commitmentParticipates in weekend therapist rotation providing group and family counseling, crisis intervention and overseeing on-site consumer visitation facility-wideAdheres to professional code of ethicsEffectively demonstrates the application of adult specific competenciesAssists with seclusion and restraint per AltaPointe policy and procedures
Supervision and Consultation:
Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as neededAccepts and employs suggestions for improvementActively works to enhance clinical skills
Clinical Record Keeping:
Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe policyDocuments appropriate, complete, and clinically comprehensive mental health assessmentsDocuments measurable and specific goals in the treatment planDocuments in a clear and concise manner, types of consumer problems, treatment goals addressed, services, and techniques usedDocuments case disposition, case closings, follow-up and referralsDocuments legibly
Case Load Management:
Effectively manages caseload based on consumer needsMeets AltaPointe productivity standards
Courteous and respectful attitudes towards consumers, visitors and co-workers:
Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassionRespects consumer’s privacy and confidentialityIs pleasant and cooperative with othersAssists consumers and visitors as neededPersonal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for othersIs sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations and individual differencesIs gentle and calm with consumers and families
Administrative and Other Related Duties as Assigned:
Actively participates in Performance Improvement activitiesActively participates in AltaPointe committees as requiredCompletes assigned tasks in a timely mannerAccesses appropriate community resources according to consumer needsFollows AltaPointe policies and proceduresMaintains current license and requirements for renewals (i.e. CEU’s), if applicable, and attends to required in-services and workshops QualificationsMaster’s degree in a mental health discipline.
Knowledge in adult specialty, outlined below, to be attained within six (6) months of employment:
Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult populationBasic knowledge of the nature of addiction for referral purposesBasic knowledge of Senior Adult issues for referral purposesKnowledge of person-centered treatment planningKnowledge of Safety Plans and Psychiatric Advance DirectivesKnowledge of Intellectual and Developmental DisabilitiesKnowledge of Substance Use DisordersKnowledge of Housing programsKnowledge of VA programsKnowledge of area sheltersKnowledge of Intellectual Disability placement servicesKnowledge of inpatient Substance Abuse servicesKnowledge of cultural diversityKnowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practiceKnowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principlesKnowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders