Behavioral Health Specialist

Position Summary

The Philadelphia Fire Departments (PFD) division of Mobile Integrated Health (MIH), in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility Services (DBHIDS) and the Criminal Justice Division of the Managing Directors Office (MDO), has developed a behavioral health Alternative Response Unit (ARU-3) for community risk reduction in Philadelphia.

City services are shifting away from its current all-police response to involuntary commitments (302s). The shift would have members of ARU-3 engaging those who are high utilizers of EMS 91 1 calls, CRC transports, primary care clinics, and special population 302s. PFD MIH and DBHIDS will provide alternative responses and management of behavioral health calls and special population 302s.

The Division of PFD MIH, DBHIDS, and the MDO are natural partners in an innovative model to improve behavioral healthcare outcomes, decrease trauma in the community, and provide services in a strength-based, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach. The ARU-3 unit will consist of one MIH Fire Paramedic Captain, one MIH Fire Paramedic Lieutenant, two MIH Fire Service Paramedics, four MIH Fire Service EMTs, one COC Director, one COC Assistant Director, one Clinical Coordinator, four Mobile Behavioral Health Crisis Specialists, and one Epidemiologist/Data.

The Mobile Behavioral Health Crisis Specialist (MBHCS) works with individuals and their community supports to assess and de-escalate a crisis, suggest a level of care necessary to meet the individual’s needs, offer alternatives to involuntary hospitalization through treatment planning, and coordinate community care with the other members of ARU 3.

The MBHCS provides liaison to community agencies to facilitate communication and service provision for clients requiring multiple services who are clinically complex and high-risk.

The MBHCS may also need to provide emergency crisis intervention services to individuals who are high risk, e. g., suicidal, homicidal, psychotic, with the goal of stabilization and finding creative and safe community treatment alternatives.

The MBHCS will consult with other members of the ARU 3 about the need for a referral to a psychiatrist, a primary care physician, or a hospital emergency department.

The primary goal of this team is to engage and improve individuals' quality of life by linking them to treatment, rehabilitation, and support services that promote wellness, recovery, integration, and community safety.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Engage with community members who are in jeopardy of presenting for psychiatric admission.
• Collaborate with partners to improve behavioral health outcomes for individuals in the community.
• Focus on low acuity 911 calls and 302 means of transport for special populations (children, pregnant, geriatric, etc.)
• Provide behavioral health assessment only for de-escalation (if needed) during encounters.
• Discuss with other ARU 3 members possible interventions for individuals and families.
• Provide connection to behavioral health resources
• Provide follow-up on recommended services
• Coordinate linkage to behavioral health, medical and social services
• Work in the community in collaboration with PFD-Emergency Medical Services when dispatched, this includes riding along with PFD personnel in PFD vehicles.
• Complete documentation for follow-up and data collection
• Assist individuals and or family members to "navigate" the multiple systems involved in addressing their behavioral health needs
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (likely non-traditional morning/evening hours and potential evenings) weekends required
• Work along with multi-agency partners with a willingness to report to a unified command structure
• Maintain current information on available resources and appropriate Evidence-Based Practices (EBP)
• Collaborate with hospitals (ER/CRCs) to ensure continuity of care (warm hand¬ off)
• Provide outreach, engagement, and assessment to individuals identified by ARU 3 in need of services.
• Remain physically mobile to provide aggressive outreach in the community to engage individuals and their families.
• Help stabilize and resolve crises while functioning under pressure in challenging situations.
• A willingness to accept training and additional certifications provided as necessary.

Skills Required

• Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals and agencies
• Demonstrate qualities of integrity, stability, creativity, and negotiation skills
• Knowledge of community-based resources in Philadelphia
• Familiarity with the DSM V and ASAM criteria
• Knowledge of basic medical and psychiatric terminology
• Knowledge of the process for filing a 302 and the documentation required
• Bilingual is strongly recommended but not required

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required in social work, psychology, or a related field. This position requires 5 years of experience with a strong emphasis on behavioral health/crisis. Knowledge of substance use, crisis response, and field experience is a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employment

PMHCC, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case by case basis in accordance with the law.