911 Mental Health Triage Specialist - QMHP

Job Number: 26-11295 / 26-8090 / 26-11340 / 26-11338

Job Summary: 

The Mission: Be the First Voice of Help

When someone calls 911 in a mental health crisis, they deserve a clinical response, not a criminal one. As a Mental Health Triage Specialist (C3), you are the front line of Austin's innovative alternative response model. Embedded directly within the 911 Call Center, you intercept crisis calls, provide immediate de-escalation, and divert individuals toward the care they need.

The Impact: Clinical Expertise in a Variable Environment

This role requires a clinician who can pivot between periods of focused readiness and high-intensity crisis response. You are the "calm in the storm," providing:

Expert Crisis Intervention: Providing telephonic de-escalation for individuals in high distress while determining the necessary level of care.

Strategic Decision Making: Performing rapid risk assessments for suicide, psychosis, and acute distress.

Systems Innovation: Helping Austin build a national model for compassionate, effective, and equitable mental health crisis response.

Pathways to Licensure: While this role provides a strong clinical foundation, we are actively working to expand opportunities for clinicians to accrue supervised hours toward LCSW, LPC, or LMFT credentials through future internal partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Emergency Clinical Triage & Risk Assessment

911 Intercept: Receive direct transfers from 911 dispatchers to provide immediate clinical screening and triage.

Variable Pace Management: Maintain clinical readiness during steady periods and provide high-stakes intervention when critical, acute calls occur.

Urgency Determination: Assess demographic, social, and clinical information to determine the level of risk to self or others.

Crisis Stabilization: Provide clear and concise information about available services and options for further treatment.

Collaboration & Technology

First Responder Partnership: Work side-by-side with APD, EMS, and TCSO to coordinate safe crisis responses.

Advanced Documentation: Utilize 911 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and electronic health records to document work with precision.

Follow-up Coordination: Conduct follow-up calls to ensure individuals have successfully connected with community-based resources.

Regular, predictable attendance is considered to be an essential requirement for this position. Other duties may be assigned. May require a flexible work schedule.

Integral Care employees are to strive to maintain a trauma sensitive workplace, to embrace trauma sensitive and informed practices, and to foster a supportive and welcoming environment of care.

Education:

Required:

• Graduated from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree with a major specialization in Human/Behavioral/Social Services or related field. Master's degree preferred.

License:

Required:

• Current and valid driver's license and a clean driving record.

Experience:

Preferred:

• Experience in crisis intervention, severe mental illness, hotline, and/or community mental health preferred.
  
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Hours: Full-Time.

Workdays: Varies.

Workhours: Varies.

Salary: $24.18 - $25.39, plus an additional 10% crisis stipend.

Position may be eligible for an additional shift differential pay.

• Second Shift: $3.25/hour.
• Third Shift: $7.25/hour.
• Weekend Shift: $8.00/hour.

Why join us: Integral Care has proudly served Travis County residents for the past 50 years. As the largest provider of behavioral health services in Travis County, we are dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children living with mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

By joining our team, you will find rewarding work every day alongside people who have as much compassion as you. Join us and together we can help improve the quality of life for the people we serve. Imagine your career at Integral Care!

Employee Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Generous vacation/holiday/sick leave
• Life and Short-term/Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403(b) retirement account
• Gold's Gym membership discount
• Mileage reimbursement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sex or age.

For specific positions, additional compensation may be offered to candidates who are bilingual in English and another language deemed necessary for the role.

LPHA Keywords: Mental Health Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, Behavioral Health Therapist, Psychotherapist, Senior Clinician, Licensed Clinician, Clinical Mental Health Professional, Program Therapist, LPHA, Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts, Licensed Practitioner, Therapist, Counselor

QMHP Keywords: Qualified Mental Health Professional, QMHP, Case Manager, Rehabilitation Specialist, Service Coordinator, Mental Health Professional, Mental Health Specialist, Social Worker