The Red Cross is seeking mental health professionals to assist the community following a disaster such as a home fire. These volunteers are a crucial part of our clients’ recovery process.
Volunteers will choose 2-4 days (24 hour period) each month based on their availability to be available to speak over the phone with those clients who request it following their disaster. On average, our volunteers receive one call during each of their shifts. During these calls we help to:
Provide basic psycho-education about normal stress responses
Ask about clients’ usual coping strategies and encourage the use of those strategies
Help problem solve if necessary
Provide crisis intervention if necessary
Provide a referral to local community resource such as mental health services if necessary
Qualifications:
Our Disaster Mental Health volunteers must meet ONE of the following criteria:
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.
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 five 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.
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Description
Every single day, the American Red Cross helps people in emergencies. Whether it's one displaced family, thousands affected by disaster, or providing care and comfort to an ill or injured service member or veteran or support to a military family member, our vital work is made possible by people like you. It is through the time and care of ordinary people that we can do extraordinary things.
