Crisis & Marcus Alert Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Crisis & Marcus Alert Coordinator at Northwestern Community Services Board (NWCSB) provides administrative and clinical coordination to Emergency Services and oversees the Marcus Alert response team. This role supports the work of the Crisis Program Manager as a Crisis Clinician and certified prescreener, collaborating closely with all departments, supporting process improvement initiatives, promoting operational efficiency through team engagement, and ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures within functional areas.   

This job description is based upon an evaluation of agency requirements at the time this description was written. This job description will change as the position is developed further, or in response to organizational or technological changes.

 CORE COMPETENCIES

Teamwork: Effectively balances individual and team responsibilities by fostering positive relationships, resolving conflicts constructively, and maintaining a spirit of collaboration to achieve shared goals.  These actions ensure our team members work cohesively to support each other and the agency’s mission. 

Collaboration: Engages with internal and external stakeholders to assess needs, communicate clearly, and develop actionable plans that achieve shared objectives, demonstrating flexibility and an openness to feedback to strengthen our partnerships.  These actions ensure efforts are aligned across teams, embodying our need to deliver seamless, high-quality services and support. 

Compassion: Approaches team members and stakeholders thoughtfully, applying sound judgment in emotionally charged situations, and communicating with empathy to ensure respect and care for all individuals.  These actions prioritize compassion, respect, and understanding in every interaction.  

Accountability: Makes informed decisions, ensures safety and compliance, effectively manages change, and leads with integrity by inspiring confidence and following through on commitments.  These actions foster trust and demonstrate responsibility within and across teams.   

CORE COMPETENCIES OF POSITION ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Crisis & Marcus Alert Coordination 

• Provides direct leadership and supervision to the Marcus Alert response team, including establishing expectations, monitoring performance, and maintaining collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders. 
• Serves as the operational back-up to the Crisis Program Manager by providing consultation support and coverage for Crisis Program operations and decision-making as needed.  
• Ensures timely and accurate data collection and submission of all DBHDS-mandated data related to Marcus Alert and Crisis Services utilization.  
• Analyzes program data to assess performance against established targets, monitor trends, identify risks, and evaluate whether deliverables are met, conducting chart reviews for Crisis Services and Marcus Alert to assess clinical integrity of the work performed for auditing purposes. 
• Documents review findings and ensures records are audit-ready, identifying trends, training needs, or corrective actions to communicate findings to leadership. 
• Collects, analyzes, and interprets utilization and performance data to ensure quality service delivery and regulatory compliance, preparing findings and providing recommendations for improvement to the Crisis Program Manager.  
• Develops, recommends, and implementing policies, procedures, and workflows related to Marcus Alert services in alignment with strategic planning, licensing regulations and requirements, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Performance Contract. 
• Supports the development and submission of Agency grant applications relevant to Crisis Services and Marcus Alert programming by contributing program data, narrative content, and operational input. 
• Supports Marcus Alert and Crisis Services operations by providing coverage and consult when the Crisis Program Manager is unavailable and coordinating internal communications, staffing, and planning activities to ensure resources are deployed efficiently and service continuity is maintained.  
• Coordinates professional development for Marcus Alert staff, assisting with access to licensure supervision, continuing education opportunities, and skill-building opportunities. 
• Develops and maintains an annual calendar of clinical, policy, and regulatory training to promote staff competency and adherence to Agency and clinical standards. 
• Provide clinical guidance and support to Crisis Services staff in assessment and triage including facilitating individual and group supervision sessions as appropriate.    

 Crisis Clinician III  

• Performs all aspects of code mandated evaluations, crisis intervention, and involuntary hospitalization, for both civil and forensic occurrences petitioning for Emergency Custody Orders (ECO) and/or Temporary Detention Orders (TDO) when appropriate.  
• Provides training and guidance to onboarding crisis clinicians, providing verbal or written reports on progress toward certification and competency.  
• Provides liaison to community agencies to facilitate communication and service provision for clients who are clinically complex and/or high risk.  
• Attends and participates in civil commitment and appeal hearings, providing testimony to General District and Circuit Courts.  
• Responds with law enforcement in the community for individuals who are high risk and are unwilling or unable to report voluntarily for evaluation. Brief crisis intervention and assessment will be complete in the field to determine the necessity of hospitalization.  
• Assists with review and assignment of crisis documentation to ensure legal and quality assurance requirements are met.   
• Participates and assists in organization of clinical staff meetings and presents any relevant or current research related to mental health, substance use, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD), co-occurring disorders, and neurocognitive disorders.  
• Provides or assigns other Crisis Clinicians to provide short-term crisis intervention counseling as schedule permits utilizing a brief (6-12 session) model or serve as part of a mobile response team when necessary.  
• Provides 24/7 consultation to crisis clinicians on a rotating basis as needed.   
• Assists and/or performs Crisis Intervention Training presentations on clinical topics or mental health code training community partners, law enforcement agencies, and dispatch on emergency services and relevant clinical topics as requested.  

 MARGINAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB 

5% Performs related duties as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishment of the responsibilities and functions related to this position or in support of departmental and agency goals. 

 SUPERVISION 

Received: This position reports directly to the Crisis Services Manager. 

Exercised: Co-Response Specialists 

 NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE 

This position maintains a regular schedule of Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; however, the schedule may be adjusted upon request of the incumbent or needs of the Agency at the discretion of the supervisor or program manager.  As an FLSA exempt position, the position is not subject to overtime earnings according to the laws and regulations of both the Commonwealth of Virginia and United States. 

This position is assigned to the following location:  

 170 Prosperity Drive 

Winchester VA 22602 

 Travel is required on occasion (up to 25%).  A valid Virginia driver’s license or obtaining a Virginia driver’s license within 90 days and an acceptable driving record are required for this position. 

 EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Virginia Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or equivalent 
• Department of Behavioral Health Certified Preadmission Screening Clinician (CPSC) 
• At least two (2) years of experience as a CPSC  
• A mix of education and experience that shows the necessary skills and knowledge for a leadership role in a medium-to-large behavioral health organization.  
• An eagerness to invest in one’s community through service.  
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License, good driving record, and the ability to provide own transportation 

 Preferred Qualifications 

For this position, the most competitive candidates will possess: 

• At least two (2) years of supervisory experience or more than five (5) years of experience in crisis-oriented work 
• Experience in a public behavioral health, private provider, or managed care organization or working in a community services board’s complex regulatory environment 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

Knowledge 

• Evidence-based treatment and service delivery for serious mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities  
• State and Federal governing regulations as they pertain to service delivery and program management in a community services board setting 
• Philosophy, principles, and practices of public personnel administration such as the accepted methods and practices of classification and pay as well as recruitment and selection. 
• Strategic communication planning and implementation.  
• Psychology of adults, adolescents, and geriatric individuals in mental health and substance abuse areas  
• Crisis intervention theory and techniques 
• Voluntary and involuntary admission to state facilities such as local jails or correctional facilities 
• Policy draft procedures and protocols in a governmental setting.  

Skills 

• Communication and presentation 
• Application of service delivery policies and procedures 
• Needs assessments 
• Collaboration and negotiation 
• Detail management  

Abilities  

• Interpret DBHDS licensing standards as they pertain to policies and procedures  
• Interact with external organizations, including all levels of government and partner organizations, as a representative of NWCSB. 
• Exercise sound judgment. 
• Demonstrate initiative. 
• Maintain confidentiality. 
• Prioritize work schedule to meet agency goals. 

Physical Requirements 

• Must be able to complete physical requirements of the job 
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer 
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

SALARY:  Starting at $89,281

RETIREMENT:  NWCSB participates in Virginia Retirement System.

DISCLAIMER: All full-time employees are eligible for a complete benefits package that includes enrollment in Virginia Retirement System. For more information about benefits and a complete list of current job openings, please visit our website, www.nwcsb.com. Positions remain open and advertised until filled.

If you need assistance or an accommodation to apply or interview, contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 540-636-4250, Ext 2155.

Northwestern Community Services Board provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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