Helping Communities Heal – Disaster Mental Health Services Volunteer

Disaster Mental Health Service Associate (DMH/SA) is an operational position assigned temporarily to work before, during, and/or after a disaster event. Responders in this position provide disaster mental health support to individuals and families who have been impacted by a disaster. This position supports the mission of the American Red Cross by providing quality mental health support to clients and workers in order to reduce the impact of trauma and support recovery.

Key Responsibilities

General Responsibilities for all Service Associates:

• Ensure work is carried out in alignment with our fundamental principles and within established guidelines
• Maintain flexibility in a continuously changing environment in which work priorities may change frequently
• Participate in all required meetings and review and complete daily tasks and reports
• Collaborate effectively with others in a disaster environment
• Efficiently handle time sensitive issues that may arise in area of responsibility
• Report the status of assigned responsibilities and tasks as directed
• Work independently while following the direction of the direct supervisor

DMH/SA-specific Responsibilities:

• Support the emotional health of individuals, families, communities, and Red Cross workers through disaster mental health interventions.
• Assist in developing partnerships with local mental health agencies if requested.
• Facilitate long-term recovery for clients by providing disaster mental health support and connection to local resources.
• Maintains RC Care IDC Worker user access and uses RC Care to document services for clients

This position requires a license/certification recognized in the location of service to provide the following services.

• Provide mental health services to clients.
• Provide mental health services to the workforce.
• Conduct ‘Welcome Home’ or workforce support calls that are a response to a DMH referral or involve providing mental health support.
• Serve as a mental health representative on an Integrated Condolence Care Team (ICCT).
• Deploy in a ‘Staff Mental Health’ DRO position assignment.
• Serve as a DMH/SA worker

What makes you a great fit?

DMH/SA-Specific Qualifications (required): 

• CURRENTLY LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: At minimum, holds a master’s degree in one of the mental health professions listed below; and holds a current, unencumbered license from, or is registered with, any U.S. state or territory as a social worker, psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or psychiatrist (any level license/registration, including non-clinical licenses such as Licensed Masters Social Worker or LMSW)

• CURRENT SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS: At minimum, holds a master’s degree in school psychology or school counseling; and holds a current, unencumbered license or certification as a school psychologist or school counselor issued by an appropriate state board.

• CURRENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSES: Have a state license as a registered nurse; and have a minimum of two years of experience working in a psychiatric setting, verified by a letter from a current or previous employer.
• Ability to use online interfaces, including RC Care. 
• Have an active RC Care User role of IDC Worker 

General Qualifications for all Service Associates:

• Comfortable working independently and within a team
• Ability to work with a broad variety of people with diverse backgrounds
• Ability to have good organizational and time management skills
• Ability to listen actively and work well with others
• Ability to function in a dynamic and stressful environment
• Ability to appropriately involve others in managing problems and conflict
• Ability to acquire, evaluate, and report information accurately
• Valid Driver’s License (required for deployment out of region)
• Willingness to comply with current public health and Red Cross policies

For the complete position description please visit www.redcross.org/volunteer and search opportunities by using your zip code. Please reach out to me for questions: kelli.quinn@redcross.org