Social Worker Specialist - Mobile Crisis Stabilization

Olmsted County has earned the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work - Southeast Minnesota designation.

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in a similar position as listed in the work functions.

OR

Master's degree from an accredited college or university and one (1) year of experience in a similar position as listed in the work functions.

Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver's license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.

Nature of Work

Under the supervision of a program manager, these positions are based within the Olmsted County Adult Behavioral Health Unit (ABHU) in the Adult and Family Services Department. While based within ABHU, the positions will also be a part of the Olmsted County Mobile Crisis Team providing Stabilization Services to individuals within Olmsted County.
The Crisis Stabilization Specialists provide referral connection and temporary care to support individuals after an episode of crisis. Primary objectives of the positions are to help individuals remain in the community, return to a pre-crisis state, and develop basic skills to help prevent a return to crisis and the need for more restrictive interventions. These positions also help bridge the gap between the initial crisis and securing long-term supports, provide mental health education, aid in developing coping skills, and provide temporary supportive counseling. A key aspect of the role is to connect services within the crisis continuum and facilitate collaboration and partnership to better serve individuals in crisis. Crisis Stabilization is NOT designed to replace or substitute the need for long-term or already established supports an individual may be receiving and is not therapy. Crisis Stabilization is temporary and can provide up to 45 days of support. These positions will also complete a stabilization plan, develop short-term goals, and will work under the clinical supervision of a mental health professional to customize care and determine the frequency of client visits.

Examples of Work

Includes but is not limited to:

• Assist the program manager and clinical supervisor with the development of processes and practices related to crisis stabilization services
• Utilize a strong working knowledge of local resources, county services, and systems of care for individuals experiencing a crisis
• Serve as a liaison between Adult Behavioral Health, Youth Behavioral Health, SERCC, Mobile Crisis, various county programs and community providers
• Completes all required and ongoing training
• May provide field supervision for student interns
• May be assigned to committee or task-oriented workgroup activities
• Assist with data collection, analysis and report writing for the specific service area
• Develop and implement individual stabilization plans based on identified and assessed client objectives
• Assist supervisor, mental health professional, and finance staff with billing processes as needed
• Documents all progress on crisis treatment plan goals and objectives and when no further crisis intervention services are required within required timeframes
• Maintains client files in accordance with mobile crisis stabilization rules and requirements
• Collaborates with other community agencies or organizations to obtain information and resources for individual cases
• Works collaboratively within and as a part of the ABHU and Mobile Crisis teams
• Works under the direct clinical supervision of a mental health professional to assure best practice and adherence to statutory requirements for mobile crisis
• Maintains proper records and documentation of all cases utilizing available tools and systems
• Participates in regular team meetings, as well as other collaborative meetings as assigned or needed
• Maintains consistent communication with supervisor, mental health professional, and other collateral teams and stakeholders
• Provides community-based in-person crisis stabilization services that include, but are not limited to: assessment, referral and connection, updating of the crisis treatment plan, skills training, education. and collaboration with other service providers in the community

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Thorough knowledge of the social sciences
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of social work
• Thorough knowledge of community resources
• Thorough knowledge of social and economic problems
• Knowledge of motivating factors of human behavior
• Knowledge of the dynamics of victimization and the root causes of violence
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system, including victim rights
• Knowledge of therapeutic and strength-based approaches
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to victim issues, victim needs
• Knowledge of agency policies
• Knowledge of data practices and confidentiality
• Skill in verbal communication, public speaking, writing and recording of information and data
• Skill in the use of computers and technology
• Skill in individual and community advocacy
• Ability to lead, mentor and train other staff
• Ability to understand individual and family needs with empathy and objectivity
• Ability to exercise good judgment in recommending possible solutions for individual and family needs and when utilizing conflict management and advocacy skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, public officials and citizens of the community
• Ability to organize efficiently and keep records systematically
• Ability to work independently and to recognize when supervision is needed
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Ability to serve as a liaison to community resources
• Ability to drive an automobile

Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.