Job Overview
We are looking for motivated and passionate clinicians looking to make an impact in their community to join a new Street Crisis Response Team in San Francisco! The Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT) is an innovative co-responder model responding to triaged 911 calls for non-violent, behavioral health issues on the streets of San Francisco, as an alternative to police response. Since November, two teams have been launched, with a further four teams set to launch Spring 2021 to respond to calls citywide.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2021/04/02/go-there-mental-health-911-chris-james-dpweekend.cnn

https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/inside-look-at-street-crisis-team-in-san-francisco-making-strides-toward-police-reform-102061125886

https://sfmayor.org/article/san-franciscos-new-street-crisis-response-team-launches-today

The Crisis Response Clinician will play a crucial role in helping to coordinate the behavioral health assessment and crisis response for those in psychiatric and substance-induced distress outside in San Francisco. The SCRT aims to avoid harm to the individual in crisis by intervening in person-centered and trauma-informed ways to avoid further escalation and attend to the immediate needs of the person in crisis. This will be done by treating each person in crisis with the utmost dignity and respect, as well as an active participant in their own de-escalation process and reestablishment of personal safety. The Clinician role will be a 12-hour shift, three to four days per week with usually four days off in between. The Clinician is supervised by one of several Clinical Supervisors, who will also be available remotely by phone throughout all shifts worked by the Clinician.

The first of its kind in San Francisco, the SCRT which is comprised of a SFFD Paramedic, a Behavioral Health Clinician and a Peer Counselor will respond to calls of suicide and self-harm in public settings including assisting individuals who present as disoriented, delusional and/or exhibiting symptoms of intoxication. The team will be mobile throughout the shift, in an ADA-accessible SFFD van available to transport the team and people to other resources after de-escalation has occurred. In addition to behavioral health assessment and de-escalation, the SCRT is qualified to provide basic medical treatment (such as wound care, prevention of infection) to reduce the need for hospitalization and decrease the chances of furthering mental health decompensation. Depending on the level of care needed, individuals may be escorted to a hospital, shelter or to a safer location as applicable to their health needs.

This position is fulltime on-site with benefits. The hours for the overnight clinician role are 7pm-7am. Clinicians will have access to the COVID-19 vaccine upon hire.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:

Work collaboratively in 12 hour shifts as part of a co-responder model team to address non-violent, behavioral health crisis calls triaged by the city’s 911 system and/or a dedicated 800 number provided to the public, as an alternative to police response.
Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, gender-responsive, harm reduction, and person-centered mental health and substance use crisis assessment, intervention, de-escalation, and appropriate follow up as part of the SCRT, specifically for individuals experiencing non-violent, behavioral health crisis in public settings in San Francisco.
Deftly assess for suicidality, homicidal intent, violence risk, grave disability, and substance use using appropriate measurements, including C-SRRS, Mini Mental Status Exam, and others.
Show competency in use of Narcan for opioid overdose reversal.
Maintain strong working knowledge of DSM V diagnostic criteria, particularly for substance use, PTSD/Acute Stress, psychotic, panic, bipolar, mood, and personality disorders.
Obtain SFDPH 5150 Certification so that in situations that warrant it, initiate a 5150 psychiatric hold by properly assessing and documenting per SFDPH protocol, as well as waiting safely while calling and awaiting transport.
Team Member Responsibilities:

Work with other team members and person in crisis in quickly assessing the needs of individuals experiencing mental health crisis in public settings; and to create a response plan in collaboration with the other SCRT members and person in crisis.
Practice self-awareness and cultural humility as member of diverse team; be conscientious and sensitive to power and other interpersonal dynamics with other team members.
Demonstrate strong ability to remain calm and attentive during crises, as well as to work through several separate crises during a single shift.
Demonstrate a high level of resilience and self-care as part of maintaining wellness in a high crisis and first responder position.
Administrative, Training, and Documentation Responsibilities:

Maintain timely and thorough administrative and service documentation and records related to client care and program-related monitoring, in accordance to standards specified by HR360 policies and oversight agencies (e.g. DPH, etc.).
Complete all live and online trainings in timely and thorough manner to form strong foundation for clinical work. Trainings will include street crisis de-escalation, trauma informed care, Motivational Interviewing, ethical boundaries, confidentiality, first aid, CPR, COVID-19 precautions, and others.
Education and Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Education and Experience Required:

Licensure (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC) or registration (ASW, AMFT, APCC) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or Board of Psychology.
Minimum two years of experience providing behavioral health services in a public health, community mental health, crisis services, or other setting serving people who are unhoused.
First Aid certified within 30 days of employment.
CPR certified within 30 days of employment.
Must be able/willing to work outside during most of shifts, travel in van with others between crises, and physically move frequently during shift.
Must be able to travel to and from worksite and other locations within San Francisco.
Ability to work with and honor a highly diverse community served, as well as SCRT team members, while showing humility and openness.
Willingly open to learn and understand different perspectives, as well as show self-awareness around race, gender, class, sexual orientation, lived experience, and other important attributes.
Desired:

Bilingual in San Francisco threshold language.
Background Clearance Required:

Ability to obtain and maintain background clearance with successful discharge from probation or parole.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Please attach scan or photo of BBS/BOP credentials to application and list three professional references on resume or cover letter.