Involuntary Commitment Specialist - Designated Crisis Responder

Summary

The responsibilities of the DCR include investigating cases of adults and juveniles believed to have a behavioral health disorder and to be a danger to themselves, others, property, and/or who are gravely disabled. Incumbents determine whether these persons should be involuntarily detained for treatment under RCW 71.05 and RCW 71.34 and coordinate cases through the legal system. The DCR team provides investigation services for involuntary detention on a 24-hour-a-day basis and must be able to meet with and interview patients in a variety of physical locations with difficult access, such as apartments on upper floors with no elevator service, alleys, parks, homeless camps, and under bridges. Incumbents must also be able to anticipate and respond to threats by potentially hostile or violent patients. The crisis and Commitment Services unit's mission is to provide quality care and to protect public safety while maintaining individual rights by attempting to resolve the crisis in the least restrictive manner.

Job Duties

• Work collaboratively with community partners (i.e., hospital, evaluation and treatment facility, law enforcement, court, families, witnesses, etc.) to assist in evaluation and disposition plans for patients.

• Make a legal decision as to whether an individual meets the statutory requirements to be taken into custody and involuntarily hospitalized under RCW 71.05 and 71.34.

• Determine the nature and level of crisis, provide crisis intervention, assess the credibility of witnesses, coordinate with law enforcement and treatment agencies, and determine if statutory requirements are met.

• Ensure proper preparation and filing of legal papers, prepare declarations, serve subpoenas, and notice of hearings, consult with King County Prosecuting Attorney and public defender, and testify in court if needed. If the DCR testimony is necessary to proceed in a court hearing, may be required to be available to the court on scheduled time off.

• Maintain all aspects of the case file on time and communicate with colleagues to ensure efficiency and completeness of the record.

• Advocate for patients to obtain appropriate treatment and continuity of care. Assist in finding less-restrictive alternatives to involuntary detention.

• Educate patients' families, service agencies, and the community regarding clinical issues, legal issues, and treatment alternatives.

• Participate in training new colleagues in the field, when so assigned, as mutually agreed to by supervisor and training employee.

• Provide shadowing opportunities for community partners approved by management to shadow the DCR, as long as it does not impede safety.

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Must meet and maintain the definition of a Mental Health Professional as defined in WAC 246-341- 0515.

• Must maintain a Washington State Department of Health credential that satisfies the definition of MHP in good standing.

• Must be able to pass initial and all subsequent King County Jail clearances.

• Be physically able to safely enter and rapidly exit residences throughout King County. Proficiency using MS Word, Outlook, and the Internet with the ability to learn electronic record systems.

• Participate in annual safety training and all required training.

• Must maintain a valid, unencumbered Washington State Driver's License.

• Knowledge of RCW 71.05 and RCW 71.34 and related WACs and the legal process of detention and commitment

Please Note:

An offer of employment will be contingent on meeting the following conditions:

• Possession of a valid unencumbered Washington State Driver's License at the time of hire.

• Ability to pass a post-offer/pre-employment physical examination.

• Ability to pass a Washington State Patrol Background Check on a post-offer/pre-employment basis.

Supplemental Information

WORK SCHEDULE: The full-time positions typically work four 9.5-hour shifts per week. Shifts are typically 9.5 hours/day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This is a union shop and shift selections are annual and based on seniority. The selected candidates may be assigned to the night (graveyard) shift including weekends and holidays. Successful candidates must be available to testify at ITA court and attend staff meetings and/or mandatory training on scheduled days off. These positions are eligible for overtime (nonexempt) with supervisory pre-approval. Candidates must be willing to work in environments that may cause exposure to communicable diseases. This position meets the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible with prior supervisory pre-approval.

WORK LOCATION: 401 5th Ave, Seattle

UNION STATUS: These positions are represented by SEIU Local 925.

WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the qualifications.

TO APPLY: To apply for this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format or would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact the recruiter Jalynn Davis via email at jalydavis@kingcounty.gov.

SELECTION PROCESS: We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. Applications will be reviewed for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. All materials will be evaluated for spelling, grammar, and punctuation usage. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a series of interviews.

Forms and Materials Required

An online employment application must be completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least ten years if you have ten years of employment (or more to include all relevant experience).

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