Develop and implement client-centered care and safety plans within a multi-disciplinary team at a residential treatment facility. Facilitate access to community resources and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment through wellness checks and de-escalation.
Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long-term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time. Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.
DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs,19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.
Crisis Solutions Center is a residential treatment facility that provides stabilization services to clients experiencing acute or ongoing behavioral health crises. Case managers work within a multi-disciplinary team to create and implement detailed, client-centered care and safety plans; facilitate group and individual counseling; and ensure services are fully integrated with mental health, substance use, and primary care teams. Case managers will also help develop and maintain a comprehensive list of community partners and client resources; participate in staff meetings and trainings; and maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.
Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients admitted to the CSC. Create and implement short-term care plans, develop client-driven goal planners and discharge dispositions. Facilitate clients' access to community resources and services; assist clients in building relationships with external care teams; work with existing care teams to provide goal-oriented case management services. Participate in verbal de-escalation in emergent situations; work as a team to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment including 15-minute client wellness checks. Demonstrate DESC core values and professionalism in all client and staff interactions; follow agency clinical policies and procedures; participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned Maintain current and complete clinical and administrative records, including but not limited to goal planners, progress notes, safety and risk assessments, shift summary notes, and care-coordination between internal and/or external partners. Provide phone consultation for referents to the CSC, monitors office security cameras, answer phone calls, and other administrative duties. Serve food, do laundry and change linens, help clean common areas, and occasionally clean up bodily fluids and biohazardous waste using appropriate PPE. Provide transportation for clients (such as appointments outside of CSC) when needed. Attend a 2-week onboarding process upon hire, as well as other full-day trainings on an ongoing basis. Other duties as assigned
Relevant Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science, OR a combination of 1 year of relevant paid work experience and demonstrations of the ability to perform the required job duties. Ability to meet Washington Department of Health requirements for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor (RAAC) or any other superseding credential. Ability to drive an agency vehicle to conduct agency-related business. A current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record are required. Ability to obtain a Washington State Food Handler’s Permit. Interest in working with individuals who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs. Be able to pass a Washington State Criminal background check.
Eligible for a Licensed AAC credential or any other superseding credential that meets RCW 71.05.020 requirements to act as a Mental Health Professional whose scope of practice includes independently conducting mental health assessments and making mental health diagnoses. Two years’ experience working with houseless adults experiencing mental and/or substance use disorders. Knowledge of de-escalation skills, crisis intervention and stabilization strategies Bilingual Candidates with diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, communicate with other employees, required to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds, and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Washington are typically supported by steady demand from outpatient, community, and telehealth settings. These roles are competitive because employers often look for a current unrestricted clinical license, experience with evidence-based therapy, and the ability to work from a HIPAA-compliant home office. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly confirm fit, then verify your license status and prepare examples of your therapy approach before applying.
