Job Description

The Crisis Unit Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the Crisis Unit within a behavioral health setting. This position ensures that individuals experiencing acute mental health, behavioral, or emotional crises receive appropriate care, support, and intervention in a safe and therapeutic environment.

The Crisis Unit Manager provides leadership and supervision to behavioral health professionals, including social workers and mental health specialists, while ensuring high-quality service delivery, regulatory compliance, and adherence to best practices. This position also facilitates communication and collaboration with families, support systems, healthcare providers, and community partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Supervision

• Lead and supervise Crisis Unit staff while fostering a positive, collaborative work environment.
• Conduct regular team meetings and performance evaluations.
• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
• Manage staff scheduling to ensure appropriate coverage and continuity of services.

Crisis Management

• Oversee the assessment, treatment, and crisis intervention of individuals experiencing acute psychological or emotional distress.
• Ensure staff provide trauma-informed care and are prepared to respond to emergency situations using appropriate de-escalation techniques and clinical interventions.
• Oversee the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans, assessments, and appropriate follow-up services.

Client & Family Support

• Promote a family-focused approach and involve appropriate support systems in treatment planning and service delivery in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide support and guidance to families, helping them understand the individual's situation and available resources.
• Facilitate family education regarding behavioral health needs and strategies for supporting individuals following a crisis.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure the Crisis Unit operates in compliance with applicable licensing requirements, safety standards, ethical guidelines, and organizational policies.
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery and identify opportunities for quality improvement.
• Promote and implement evidence-based and best-practice approaches.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and complete documentation in accordance with legal, regulatory, and organizational requirements.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, pediatricians, and other healthcare and behavioral health professionals to coordinate comprehensive services.
• Serve as a liaison between the Crisis Unit, hospital personnel, and external community agencies, including schools, social services, and law enforcement.
• Represent the Crisis Unit at meetings, committees, community events, and outreach initiatives.

Resource Management

• Monitor and manage the unit's budget and ensure effective use of resources and supplies.
• Identify staffing needs and collaborate with Human Resources to recruit, hire, and retain qualified employees.
• Ensure the physical environment of the Crisis Unit promotes safety, comfort, healing, and therapeutic care for individuals and their families.

Crisis Planning & Procedure Development

• Assist with the development, review, and implementation of Crisis Unit policies and procedures.
• Participate in the development and implementation of crisis response plans and ensure staff preparedness for emergencies and high-risk situations.
• Remain informed of current behavioral health practices, standards, and industry trends to support continuous improvement of services.

Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned.

General Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality of client and company information.
• Provide a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment for individuals seeking mental health, substance use, co-occurring, community support, rehabilitation, and social services.
• Follow all applicable organizational policies, procedures, licensing requirements, and regulations.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the team.
• Interact respectfully and professionally with individuals from diverse races, cultures, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Maintain flexibility and availability to meet client and organizational needs, including overtime as necessary.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The employee is regularly required to sit and stand, including prolonged periods of sitting and standing; walk; talk; hear; and operate standard office equipment, including a computer keyboard and mouse. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those the employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work is performed in a residential setting where the noise level is generally quiet.

Schedule & Employment

This is a non-exempt position with a variable schedule based on the needs of the team and Crisis Unit. Employees must be available to work weekends, evenings, awake overnights, and holidays as needed.

Due to the unpredictable nature of crisis services, employees may occasionally be required to cover during scheduled time off or remain on-site beyond their scheduled shift to ensure adequate service delivery. Compensation for such time is governed by the AMHC Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 402, and applicable overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Supervisory Relationship

The Crisis Unit Manager reports directly to the Crisis Services Program Director

Requirements

• This position requires an associate’s degree.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in behavioral health, crisis intervention, or a related field, with at least 1-2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Additionally, completion of the MHRT-1provisional within the first 30 days of employment. Under the MHRT-1 provisional the following need to be completed within one year of hire: First Aid, CPR, Mandt (Level I required). Employees are required to maintain all certifications to remain in good standing.
• CRMA certification is required within 6 months from the date of hire.
• The ability to pass a background check and meet other licensing or regulatory requirements is required.

AMHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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