Carastar Crisis Center Director

This is responsible professional work supervising the Carastar Crisis Center. The Crisis Center is a 24/7 facility that triages individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, as an alternative to an emergency room or unnecessary arrest. Individuals may be admitted to a temporary observation unit or an extended observation unit. 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Supervise the overall operations of the Crisis Center Program.

Participate in program development and implementation. 

Function as a support agent to all consumers in the program, supervising their day-to-day activities in accordance with the established schedule and procedures of the program.

Ensure that consumers are appropriately triaged, medically evaluated, and referred to the appropriate level of service.

Monitor length of stay within the Temporary Observation and Extended Observation program, ensuring that estimated lengths of stay are not exceeded.

Monitor the discharge plans for all consumers, ensuring that referrals are made with plans for follow-up.

Ensure the data elements needed for outcomes analysis are collected and reported.

Serve as liaison to community, stakeholders, first responders, and other referring agencies, providing education and information as needed. 

Assist the psychiatrist and physician in monitoring consumers receiving medications, ordering supplies and medications as needed.

Assist in evaluating the consumers' general medical and mental status.

Responsible for completing all forms and paperwork required by Carastar Health.

Provide 24/7 on-call coverage for the program. 

Participate in training activities to increase skills and become more knowledgeable in methods and techniques used in the care of psychiatric consumers and in the use and effects of psychotropic drugs.

Document all services in the Electronic Health Record.

Ensure program meets all standards, to include DMH, Medicaid, Life Safety, and any other applicable standards.

Supervise all staff assigned to the program, ensuring they are completing their duties according to their job descriptions.

Monitor staff productivity.

Conduct staff evaluations.

Ensure all staff vacancies are filled.

Ensure the facility is maintained in terms of cleanliness, with adequate supplies for operation of the program, oversee the inventory of office supplies, nursing supplies, food, and other such items.

Monitor length of stay within the unit, ensuring that estimated lengths of stay are not exceeded. 

Provide direct services as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge of principles, techniques, and standards of mental health administration.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior with emphasis on the problems of the mentally ill.

Knowledge of psychotropic drugs.

Ability to relate warmly to consumers.

Ability to recognize in consumers any adverse reactions to medication.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Have a master's degree in the behavioral sciences, from an accredited college or university, with a clinical practicum plus two years of post-master's experience in a direct service functional area.

Must be license eligible with licensure within three months of hire.

Must hold a valid driver’s license and maintain a driving record that is acceptable to Carastar Health’s insurance carrier.

Must maintain at least liability coverage on personal vehicles.