Critical Intervention Specialist - Sacramento

Job Title: Critical Intervention Specialist (CIS)

Location: Sacramento, CA 

Employment Status: Full-time, Exempt

Required Education: Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, Social Work, Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, Sociology, or other related Psychological fields

Reports to: Program Director

Compensation: $67,704 per year + opportunities for quarterly bonuses

Who We Are: Leaders in Innovate Crisis Services

CBEM provides holistic support and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring physical and mental health disorders.  

We get to know the Individuals we serve first, then design a comprehensive plan to address both immediate and long term needs. Our holistic approach supports both the individuals we service and their circle of support to maintain stability.

CBEM provides prevention,  acute and chronic crisis support, training and skill development, family and caregiver support, and Regional Center integration. 

Come check-us out here!

Why Join Us: 

As a CBEM Employee, you will have an opportunity to be a leader in innovative crisis services. CBEM offers the following benefits: 

• Positive learning environment.
• 12 Paid Holidays a year.
• 4 Wellness Days.
• Paid vacation & sick time.
• Hybrid work opportunities with flexible schedules.
• Language differential stipend.
• Mileage & travel reimbursements.
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance. (Insurance benefits are active on your start date)
• Health & Wellness Reimbursement.
• Home internet stipend.
• 401(k) Plan.
• Company laptop and phone.
• Group Supervision from a PsyD, PhD, and or LMFT/LCSW.
• Opportunities for growth and advancement.

Who You Are: 

• Must Hold a Master’s Degree in Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, Social Work, Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, Sociology, or other related Psychological fields.
• Experience in the human services field required.
• Must have a California Driver’s license in good standing and insurance.
• Experience working with Individuals diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability is a plus!
• Applicants who speak Spanish or have experience in indigenous cultures are STRONGLY encouraged to apply.
• Given the requirements of the crisis response time, applicants must live in close proximity to or in the catchment area

About the Role:

A Critical Intervention Specialist (CIS) provides acute crisis response and is responsible for independently developing clients’ treatment plans and making adjustments as needed to ensure long-term stabilization. The Critical Intervention Specialist is also responsible for writing and revising Case Reviews and Stabilization and Transition Plans and ensuring proper documentation of monthly updates. From time to time, the CIS may need to respond to critical situations in person and/or via telephone. The CIS must thoroughly understand the Regional Center’s system of care and work collaboratively with the designated Regional Center’s liaison to provide the highest quality Critical Intervention Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following areas:

Caseload Management:

• Schedule and conduct intake with the client, circle of support, Regional Center, and/or Stabilization Interventionist.
• Independently develop a Stabilization Plan and make adjustments and revisions to ensure long-term stabilization.
• Develop and revise Case Reviews and Stabilization and Transition Plans, and ensure proper documentation of monthly progress updates.
• Support training the client and circle of support on behavioral techniques to prevent and stabilize behavioral challenges while maintaining the individual at home.
• Provide case conferencing as needed with Administrative Team members.
• Attend and present Case Reviews to clinical consultants. Include the consultant's recommendations in the Stabilization Plan. Also, attend team meetings and drop-in clinics.
• Implement positive programming strategies and engage in crisis assault training.
• Respond to hotline calls in person or via telephone
• Present a high degree of professionalism and the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with clients, professional agencies, and other CIS and Administrative Team members.
• Maintain consistent communication with the CBEM team members, clients/circle of support, and Regional Center Staff.

Team Participation:

• Actively participate in weekly CBEM team meetings and team builders.
• Actively participate as a team member, working collaboratively with and supporting other staff.

Documentation:

• Maintain case notes, progress reports, etc., in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Maintain professional written documentation that is submitted on time.  This objective documentation includes case notes, case reviews, stabilization plans, face sheets, and weekly updates. Documentation needs may change based on client and/or contractual guidelines.
• Follow and comply with all documentation guidelines reviewed during CBEM’s new hire training program.

Hotline Responsibilities

• Rotate on-call responsibilities with other team members as scheduled by the Supervisor.
• Respond on-site to a critical incident when necessary within a 1-hour time frame.
• Follow and comply with all hotline guidelines reviewed during CBEM’s new hire training.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Communicate CBEM’s critical intervention philosophy of positive behavioral practice, compassion, and respect.
• Maintain stakeholder engagement by providing ongoing information to the Service Coordinator at the Regional Center.
• Attend all meetings on behalf of the client unless otherwise arranged with your Supervisor.
• Attend workshops, trainings, and in-services provided by CBEM or by an outside agency, if asked by CBEM to do so.
• Attend Regional Center drop-in clinic hours as directed by your Supervisor.
• Support CBEM's values of excellence, service, integrity, and inclusivity.
• All other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

About you:

• Must hold a Master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in psychology, counseling, social work, special education, behavioral science, or related field. One year of experience working with persons with developmental disabilities with challenging behaviors is strongly preferred.
• CIS must live within our geographic region to respond within one (1) hour to a critical situation.
• Valid CA Driver’s License and proof of sufficient car insurance with your reliable means of transportation. This means your vehicle must be with you at all times.
• Clearance of DOJ/FBI records (complete before hire)
• Proof of Negative Tuberculosis Screening (upon hire)

Complete Mandatory Training Requirements

• CPR/First Aid Certifications (complete during employment)
• Maintain CPR/First Aid Certifications
• Safety Training Certification (complete during employment)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

Competencies:

Communication 

• Demonstrates practical verbal and written communication skills.
• Keeps others adequately informed and chooses appropriate methods of communication.
• Communicates respectfully and professionally with internal and external colleagues, clients, etc.
• Uses reason when dealing with emotional topics.
• Regularly communicates with Supervisor, Regional Centers contacts, clients, care providers, and the circle of support members during the life cycle of the client's case.

Teamwork

• Actively participates to move the team toward the successful completion of goals.
• Actively participates in team meetings and team builders.
• Puts the success of the team above own interest.

Productivity

• Completes most work within documented deadlines.
• Prioritizes schedule and manages competing demands, resulting in increased efficiency in completing essential duties of the position.
• Strives to increase clinical skills and professional development.

Adaptability 

• Adapts to changes in the work environment.
• Accepts constructive feedback and implements suggestions.

Problem-Solving Skills

• Ability to resolve issues, ask questions, and be proactive in responding to issues.
• Exhibits knowledge, independence, and sound and accurate judgment. Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Chooses appropriate actions.

Behavioral and Psychological Skills

• Ability to utilize least restrictive measures in avoiding escalated situations.
• Ability to use verbal interventions that involve empathy, compassion, positive behavioral programming, respect, openness, and client-centered approach, as well as those best practice interventions outlined in the least restrictive verbal intervention protocol.
• Ability to utilize positive reinforcement for shaping behavior.
• Ability to analyze and distinguish between individual versus systemic issues.
• Ability to engage and practice active listening.
• Ability to calm critical situations involving both individuals and groups.
• Ability to utilize strong crisis communication skills and develop a therapeutic alliance.
• Ability to meet time-sensitive deadlines and weekly billable hour expectations and utilize email and text messaging to communicate with CIS and the administrative team and circle of support.
• Ability to use applied behavioral analysis principles and working knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis.
• Working knowledge of DSM V diagnoses.

Writing Skills

• Ability to produce daily notes on specific cases, specific clients served, and specific interventions provided during work.
• Ability to produce reports with behavioral recommendations via a behavioral assessment.
• Ability to produce reports that update the case status.
• Ability to write in English and produce written material with appropriate grammar.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general periodicals, professional journals, technical periodicals, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to effectively and creatively present information and respond to questions from service providers, clients, parents, regional center representatives, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively counsel clients in critical situations/incidents.

Other Skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with others in a team environment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and demonstrate efficient use of time.
• Ability to portray a  professional, polished appearance and manner.
• Ability to be self-motivated, work independently, and take initiative with cases to ensure quality of service.
• Knowledgeable on the theory and practice of positive behavioral programming.

Technology Skills

• Experience and training in communicating professionally via phone, text message, and email.
• Knowledge of and ability to use an iPhone, a Mac computer, Google Applications, and an EHR Database is preferred.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, stand, and drive.  The employee must also use their hands and reach with their arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to intervene in physically demanding behavioral interventions with physically aggressive clients in environments with unpredictable circumstances.