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 Behavioral Health Clinician position in the Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT) is part of a 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. This crucial role will help 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 off-site by phone throughout all shifts worked by the Clinician.
The first of its kind in San Francisco, the SCRT 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 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 care 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.