Disaster Action Team: Mental Health Responder (Lanai)

Save to Favorites

Disaster Mental Health Responder
Purpose

Provide a timely response to disaster incidents in the county and to ensure the mental health services needs of Red Cross clients and workers are addressed. The mission of Disaster Mental Health is to provide for and respond to the psychosocial needs.

Disaster Mental Health personnel may provide the following services on the scene of a response:

• Psychological triage, crisis intervention, psychological support, instrumental support (i.e. taking action in supporting an individual).
• Advocacy (i.e. an intervention made on behalf of an individual and intended to benefit the person or cause being supported)
• Problem solving; Education, Referrals, Supervision and support to Red Cross workers providing Psychological First Aid
• Monitoring and alleviated organizational stress; causality support.
• Disaster Mental Health workers may also be asked to make follow up calls to disaster clients as necessary to ensure all mental health related needs are met.

Key Responsibilities Respond to the scene of small local disasters such as home fires to address the health services needs of those impacted. Customer Service focus

1. Provide Disaster Mental Health interventions to clients impacted by a disaster.
2. Participate in relevant meetings and activities as a member of the Disaster Mental Health chapter team.
3. Participate in preparedness efforts, such as the Home Fire Campaign or community disaster education.
4. Help facilitate long-term recovery for clients impacted by disaster.
5. Assist the chapter in developing partnerships with local mental health agencies.
6. Support other disaster responders before, during and after disaster response using staff mental health strategies.

Position is available to:

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, unexpired license or certification as a school psychologist or school counselor issued by a state board of education.

CURRENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSES:

• Have a state license as a registered nurse; and
• Have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a psychiatric setting, verified by a letter from a current or previous employer.

RETIRED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS:

• Meet the above educational criteria for specified profession; and
• Held a license (any level license) from any U.S. state or territory as a social worker, psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychiatric nurse or psychiatrist, or a certificate as a school psychologist or school counselor, within the 5 years* prior to on-boarding as a Disaster Mental Health worker; and
• Maintained a license or certification in good standing upon retirement and without any disciplinary action taken by the issuing U.S. state or territory licensing or certification board.

Safety First! Our need for volunteers is constant and our guidelines reflect the latest CDC safety recommendations and follow the national and local government laws. COVID-19 vaccination is strongly encouraged and is required for in-person volunteer roles.