Disaster Mental Health Services Team Member (2024)

Are you a licensed professional with an experience in mental health? American Red Cross has an urgent need for licensed mental health volunteers to provide basic assistance to shelter residents during this hurricane and wildfire season. Free online training is available now.

This position supports the Regional Disaster Cycle Services department. The role of the Disaster Mental Health Service Associate (SA) or Worker is to serve as a member of a temporary work unit on a disaster relief operation to provide disaster mental health support to individuals and families who have been impacted by a disaster.

Responsibilities

• • Support the emotional health of individuals, families, communities and Red Cross workers through the use of disaster mental health interventions.
  • Assist in developing partnerships with local mental health agencies.
  • Facilitate long-term recovery for clients by providing disaster mental health support and connection to local resources.
  • Be available to provide disaster mental health support to staff as necessary.

Time Commitment

• • Roughly 5-10 hours per month; flexible schedule.
  • During times of local disaster ranging from home fires to hurricanes, the time commitment would increase. The exact time commitment would depend on the nature of the disaster.

Volunteer Frequency

• Monthly

Qualifications

• • Willingness to comply with Red Cross COVID-19 policies for in-person volunteer activities.
  • 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 the specified profession; and Hold 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* before onboarding 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.
• • *If a prospective Disaster Mental Health volunteer has been retired for more than five years, the corresponding Disaster Mental Health Division Advisor should be consulted.
  • EXCEPTION: An individual enrolled in the Disaster Mental Health program before May 2010 who does not meet these eligibility criteria can continue to work in the Disaster Mental Health activity given good standing with his/her chapter and a positive performance history while working on local and/or national relief operations.

Required:

• • Good organizational skills, responsible and punctual.
  • Demonstrated active listening skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to implement Standards and Procedures and follow associated job tools including reporting requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to interact with community members in a clear compassionate manner.
  • Demonstrated ability to involve appropriate others in managing problems and conflict.
  • Ability to acquire, evaluate and report information accurately.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide interfaith support while respecting the principles of neutrality and impartiality.
  • Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
  • Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
  • Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
  • Ability to lift/carry 30 lbs. multiple times per shift.
  • Ability to stand and/or site for 2-hour periods.
  • Ability to walk on uneven terrain and/or walk for two miles per shift.
  • Ability to bend or stoop multiple times per shift.
  • Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather.
  • Ability to spend hours writing, speak clearly on the phone, read small print for extended periods, and work for long periods on a computer.
  • Climb two or more flights of stairs.
  • Drive in the daytime and evening.