Crisis Support Specialist (EPS)

Ranked one of Tennessee’s top places to work, MHC is a rare and special place where outstanding company culture is intentional. Where clients and associates are treated the same, as equals.

Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) was formed in 1993 to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.  Since then, we have expanded our services to children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.

Our sole purpose is to support and treat those challenged with serious mental illness and poverty. Although based out of Nashville, we serve several communities across middle and East Tennessee with satellite offices in Antioch, Gallatin, Dickson, Columbia, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. 

If you are interested in joining a team that is caring, collaborative, innovative and energizing this might be a great place for you!

Job Title: Crisis Support Specialist

Schedule: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 6:30pm

Position Summary:  To work with EPS staff to provide general support services. Monitor Consumers in the Emergency Psychiatric Services Department and provide assistance to teammates in providing safe, therapeutic interventions to Consumers receiving emergency psychiatric interventions.

Position Responsibilities: 

• Promptly answer phone calls in a professional manner.
• Promptly assist any person that presents to the walk-in center.
• Maintain an organized and professional office.
• Verify insurance status through Tennessee Anytime, Mental Health Safety Net or any other insurance provider as necessary.
• Verify active insurance for anyone admitted to the agency through Intake Department.
• Prepare documentation and gather any necessary paperwork and assist in completing paperwork as needed.
• Receive and stock supplies for kitchen, office and supply stock room.
• Coordinate coffee and office supply orders with supervisor and key personnel.
• Maintain copiers, fax machines and other office equipment.
• Ensure that the physical structure of office building is consistent with licensing requirements.
• Actively engage Consumers admitted to the crisis walk-in center and assist them in getting their needs met while at the crisis center. 
• Assist teammates in de-escalating Consumers in crisis and provide on-going monitoring to ensure Consumer and staff safety.
• Work collaboratively with teammates to develop and implement initial treatment plans.
• Promote a recovery-based approach to care that emphasizes hope, respect, self-direction and empowerment.
• Use motivational interventions to assist individuals in meeting their goals and moving along their paths to recovery.
• Inventory and secure individual’s property in accordance with agency policies.
• Perform Therapeutic Options and therapeutic restraint/seclusion when needed to ensure the individual’s safety and the safety of others.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment free of sharps and other potentially harmful
• Search personal belongings of each consumer entering EPS Treatment programs  
• Monitor consumer’s behavior, level of cooperation, and ability to remain safe while in EPS.
• Complete regular safety checks on each consumer.
• Provide consumers with needed supplies (food, toiletries, etc).
• Participate in cross-training in all EPS Treatment programs.
• Work collaboratively with MCRT staff.
• Make Customer Service a priority with internal and external customers.
• Communicate effectively with staff, supervisors, and consumers.
• Demonstrate proficiency in taking vital signs.
• Assist nursing with UDS, obtaining and interpretation.
• Maintain flexibility in the workplace.
• Attend team meetings, supervision, and training as required.
• Reports all maintenance/facility issues to Supervisor.
• Follow Universal Precautions policies and procedures.

Other Responsibilities:

• Responsible for attending all mandatory in-services, continuing education and annual health requirements
• Comply with all Corporate Compliance policies, practices and procedures
• Report all unethical activities to supervisor, Corporate Compliance Office, Values Hotline number or Human Resource Director
• Comply with all OSHA and safety policies, practices, and procedures.  Report all unsafe practices or accidents to supervisor, Safety Supervisor and/or OSHA Coordinator
• Will be compliant with the relevant regulations concerning the privacy and security of consumer’s protected health information (PHI) as established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
• Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill
• Follow all policies and procedures set by the Agency

Essential Skills and Experience:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Minimum of 1- 2 years’ experience working in the mental health or health care field preferred.

Essential Requirements for the Position:

• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation

Core Competencies:

Interpersonal Skills

• Demonstrates professionalism and empathy with consumers and referral
• Is easy to approach and talk to; spends the extra effort to put others at
• Has the ability to initiate, develop and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, teammates and referral sourcesStrategic Skills
• Picks up on technical things quickly; can learn new skills and knowledge
• Can effectively cope with change

Time Management

• Uses time effectively and efficiently
• Able to multi-task with ease
• Able to prioritize

Communication

• Can communicate succinctly in a variety of communication settings

Joint Commission Competencies:

• Demonstrates effective communication skills with referral sources, consumers and other collateral contacts involved in consumer care.
• Utilizes appropriate problem-solving skills to manage challenging situations.
• Demonstrate timely follow-up with referral sources.
• Displays sensitivity and responsiveness to consumer’s culture, age, gender, and disabilities.
• Demonstrates ability to manage daily tasks and reporting within the requirements set forth by agency expectations.
• Demonstrates the ability to triage consumers and their presentation to the agency.

Reporting to this Position:

• None

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.