Position Details

Designated Crisis Responder (DCR)

Location: Port Angeles, WA 
Department: Crisis Intervention Services
Pay Range: $96,650 – $106,312 per year (DOE/DOQ)
Schedule: 12-hour shifts (6am–6pm or 6pm–6am), 3–4 days per week. Must be available for weekends, holidays, and emergency shift coverage.

Benefits Include:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Vacation, Sick Leave, Float Days & Paid Holidays
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability
  • Wellness Program & Employee Assistance Program
  • LifeFlight Membership
  • Education Allowance

Position Summary:

As part of the Crisis Intervention Services team, the Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) provides timely mobile crisis response, clinical assessment, and stabilization services for individuals of all ages. This role includes performing involuntary treatment evaluations under RCW 71.05, 71.34, and 70.96B, as well as proactive crisis management and safety planning.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Provide mobile crisis response and in-person assessment.
  • Deliver brief therapy, case management, and stabilization services.
  • Triage and screen calls and walk-in clients.
  • Develop individualized safety and treatment plans.
  • Collaborate with other crisis and outpatient staff.
  • Facilitate psychiatric hospitalizations and insurance authorizations.
  • Upon DCR certification, perform legal evaluations and initiate involuntary detentions or Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) recommendations.
  • Maintain clinical documentation in accordance with agency policy and applicable laws (RCW 71.05, 71.24; 42 CFR, Part 2).

Secondary Responsibilities:

  • Use and maintain agency Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
  • Provide mental health education and outreach in the community.
  • Maintain current knowledge through required training and development.
  • Complete accurate and timely shift reports and crisis alerts.
  • Participate in regular staff meetings and agency communication.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.

Performance Expectations:

  • Complete all documentation by end of shift per policy.
  • Conduct LRA monitoring monthly per SBH-ASO requirements.
  • Respond to service requests within 2 hours as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

  • Master's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field; or
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with 2 years of psychiatric experience.

Licensure (must meet one of the following MHP criteria):

  • Fully licensed: LMHC, LMFT, LICSW, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist
  • Associate licensed: LMHCA, LMFTA, or LICSWA
  • BSN with 2 years of psychiatric experience
  • Advanced degree with 2 years supervised experience treating individuals with mental illness

Certification:

  • Must complete State-sponsored DCR training within 90 days of hire

Other Requirements:

  • Valid driver's license
  • Pre-employment drug screen and background check
  • Proof of current vaccinations (HepB encouraged, MMR, Tdap, flu) 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 2 years of direct experience in crisis intervention
  • Familiarity with RCW 71.05, 71.34, and 70.96B
  • Experience with LRA monitoring and DCR duties

Key Skills and Abilities:

  • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Effective problem-solving and time management
  • Ability to work in high-stress, unpredictable situations
  • Professional, ethical, and respectful engagement with clients and colleagues
  • Proficiency in electronic health documentation (EHR)

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

  • 12-hour shifts, 3–4 days per week; rotating weekends and holidays
  • May involve high-stress scenarios, including client agitation or crisis response
  • Regular travel to various sites: homes, jails, hospitals, shelters
  • Must be able to sit, drive, and use a computer for extended periods
  • Occasionally lift up to 15 lbs

Primary Challenge of This Role:

Delivering responsive, high-quality crisis services in a rural community with limited mental health resources, while ensuring individual and community safety.


*Peninsula Behavioral Health does not discriminate because of a person's presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity including transgender status, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions, age (40), honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, state employee or health care whistleblower status.