Lead Crisis Safety Tech

Lead Crisis Safety Tech

Claratel Behavioral Health (formerly known as DeKalb Community Service Board)  is an innovative, community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities services organization located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, offering a full range of mental health services, developmental disabilities programs and substance use disorder treatment to more than 10,000 citizens annually who are uninsured and underinsured.

As a public, not-for-profit organization, the Claratel BH operates more than 20 locations in DeKalb County with a diverse workforce of more than 400 direct-care and support staff.
Our staff of physicians, nurses, clinicians and support personnel is dedicated to helping our clients and their families recover from these debilitating disabilities and resume productive lives. We strive to provide the highest quality, evidence-based services in the least restrictive settings, and we envision a community in which disabilities no longer limit potential. Claratel BH is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

The DeKalb Regional Crisis Center provides crisis intervention and stabilization services for adults.  The Center offers three levels of care starting with the Crisis Services Center unit that receives walk-ins, transfers from emergency rooms, and involuntary referrals for evaluation. If further observation is needed, individuals are monitored in the Temporary Observation Unit for 12-24 hours.

Individuals needing a longer period of stabilization or substance withdrawal management (usually 5-7 days) are admitted to the Crisis Stabilization Unit where ongoing care includes crisis counseling, medication, and assistance with discharge planning.

JOB SUMMARY

The Lead Crisis Safety Tech is responsible for overseeing a team of crisis safety technicians who are tasked with ensuring the safety and security of clients and staff. This role requires a combination of leadership, technical expertise, and crisis management skills to effectively coordinate and supervise the team's activities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Team Supervision:
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to a team of crisis safety technicians.
• Assign duties, schedule shifts, and monitor performance to ensure optimal team effectiveness.
• Conduct regular training sessions to enhance the team's skills in crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and safety protocols.
2. Crisis Response Coordination:
• Serve as the primary point of contact for coordinating responses to crisis situations.
• Evaluate the severity of each crisis and deploy resources accordingly to address immediate safety concerns.
• Communicate with relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement, medical personnel, and facility management, to coordinate a unified response.
3. Safety Protocol Enforcement:
• Ensure compliance with established safety protocols and procedures to minimize risks during crisis situations.
• Conduct regular inspections and audits to identify areas for improvement and address any safety concerns promptly.
• Provide ongoing training and reinforcement of safety protocols to ensure adherence by all team members.
4. Risk Assessment and Mitigation:
• Conduct risk assessments of potential crisis and safety concerns and develop proactive strategies to mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement preventive measures and improve overall safety preparedness.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies, making adjustments as necessary.
5. Documentation and Reporting:
• Maintain accurate records of all crisis incidents, including details of the response actions taken and outcomes.
• Generate reports summarizing key metrics, trends, and areas for improvement related to crisis safety.
• Share insights and recommendations with leadership to inform decision-making and enhance overall safety practices.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Builds rapport with persons served.
• Engages persons served in group and individual activities, as needed.
• Maintains safety of persons served, employees, and guests by executing searches of persons and the environment according to approved policies and protocols.
• Responsive to emergency calls for service via overhead paging system. 
• Routinely patrols facility and other assigned areas while maintaining the safety and security of all clients, visitors, and employees.
• Engages persons served at the onset of agitation and provides crisis de-escalation in accordance with the individual’s crisis advance directive and crisis-de-escalation protocols.
• Executes emergency safety interventions in the least restrictive manner in response to imminent threats of harm (to client and/or others).
• Maintains safety of persons served, employees, and guests by executing searches of persons and the environment according to approved policies and protocols.
• Conducts environmental health and safety checks and drill protocols.
• Completes required documentation (i.e., incident reports, observation sheets, itemize client belongings, and client searches).
• Completes all required trainings and maintains all required certifications.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, criminal justice, or a related field (preferred).
• Proven experience in crisis intervention, preferably in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Strong understanding of safety protocols, emergency procedures, and risk management principles.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including the ability to motivate and inspire team members.
• Crisis management certification or training is desirable.
• Flexibility to work non-traditional hours.

• Ability to perform duties from a recovery oriented, client centered, and trauma informed perspective.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not exhaustive. Duties may be altered or added at the discretion of the employer.