What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mobile Crisis Counselor, Marcus Alert position at Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board?
Part-time Mobile Crisis Counselor - Marcus Alert 988
Hourly Rate: $27.77
Available Schedules, may vary and include holidays:
- Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday 10 pm to 6:30 am
- Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 4:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 3 pm to 11:30 pm
The Mobile Crisis Counselor - Marcus Alert provides rapid, clinically sound crisis response for behavioral health, substance use, and homelessness-related calls routed through 911 or the Regional Crisis Call Center (988). This role exists to deliver timely assessment, stabilization, and linkage to care in coordination with community partners.
Key responsibilities include co-responding in the community with first responders; completing preliminary mental status and risk assessments; coordinating referrals, admissions, and assists with transportation to appropriate services (e.g., CSU, inpatient, detox, shelters); supporting ECO/TDO processes with required documentation; maintaining accurate client records; and consulting with clinical staff on complex presentations.
Required qualifications/skills:
- Master's degree in human services plus 1 year in a psychiatric care setting
- Board of Counseling registration as QMHP (or QMHP-trainee within 30 days)
- Completion of pre-admission screener certification modules within 30 days of hire
- Strong knowledge of crisis intervention, human/patient rights, confidentiality, consent, DSM-5 conditions, psychotropic medications, and involuntary admission procedures
What Your Shift Looks Like
You begin by checking in with dispatch pathways and reviewing any updates to Marcus Alert protocols, then stage with your co-response partner as calls come in. Much of the shift is spent moving between community locations-meeting individuals where they are, de-escalating in real time, and aligning next steps with the Regional Crisis Call Center and receiving facilities.
Between field contacts, you document clearly and promptly, complete follow-up outreach by phone or in person, and coordinate handoffs so care continues after the immediate crisis. You'll also have periodic touchpoints with clinical leadership to review challenging situations, refine decision-making, and support consistent, safe practice across partners. Shifts vary, but the focus remains the same: timely stabilization and effective linkage to the right level of care.
The selected candidate must successfully pass a criminal history fingerprint background investigation, DMV record check, Child Registry search, drug screening test and employment reference checks.
Salary : $28