The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities and hospital services.

The main office for DBHDD is located in downtown Atlanta.

Job Description

Job Title:  Crisis Services Specialist- Region 5

Pay Grade: K

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator, the Crisis Services Specialist is responsible for supporting providers and  individuals with behavioral health challenges by assuring easy access to high quality care.  The Crisis Services Specialist monitors and expedites the care of individuals from community to the state funded crisis system (Behavioral Health Crisis Center, Crisis Stabilization Unit, State Hospital, State Contracted Beds, Mobile Crisis Teams); responds to individual and family concerns and complaints; and collaborates with internal and external partners to improve the overall functioning of the state funded crisis system. 

Job Responsibilities

• Manage regional crisis system: Coordinate service delivery and/or placement between GCAL, mobile crisis, law enforcement, hospitals, BHCCs, CSUs, SCBs, state hospitals, and DD Crisis Home providers.
• Monitor crisis placements: Oversee CSU/BHCC/SCB reviews, facilitate transfers to state hospitals, and ensure quality discharge planning with the goal of decreasing the likelihood of readmission.
• Track bed availability: Identify delays in reviews/evaluations and resolve issues with providers and external stakeholders, i.e. law enforcement, jails, probate courts and hospital emergency departments.
• Build community partnerships: Foster relationships with community hospitals to assist IDD individuals in emergency departments.
• Collaborate on placements for individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD).  Work with regional IDD staff to find residential or other providers for stabilized IDD individuals in crisis.
• Collaborate on placements for Child Youth and Family (CYF): Work with regional CYF specialists to find residential or other providers for stabilized children and adolescents in crisis.
• Coordinate with community partners: Collaborate with law enforcement, jails, EDs, and other partners to ensure appropriate care and approve DD Crisis Home admissions.
• Provide training and technical assistance: Identify training needs and deliver training to providers.
• Facilitate crisis collaboration: Coordinate and participate in joint meetings to address crisis-related barriers. Facilitate and coordinate regional crisis collaboration meetings.
• Ensure compliance and quality: Monitor provider adherence to crisis policies and procedures, conduct site visits, and review reports to identify trends.
• Participate in statewide initiatives: Participate in statewide meetings, address complaints as directed and work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in the human services field with four years’ experience in behavioral health service administration OR master’s degree in human services field with two years related experience.  Experience specific to providing or managing crisis services
• Independent license (LPC, LMFT, LCSW)
• Knowledge of behavioral health and developmental disability service design models proficient
• Training and consultation experience

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits

Employment Requirements
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia.

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care:

• Drug Screening
• TB Evaluation
• Annual Influenza*

*Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.