Crisis Counselor I

Volunteers of America Western Washington

. Provide crisis intervention, suicide prevention, information, referrals, and brief supportive counseling to individuals contacting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by phone .

Posted 9/22/2026full-timeRemote • Washington • United StatesJunior💰 $25 - $28 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in crisis intervention and suicide prevention, utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and active listening to provide effective support. Proficient in adhering to HIPAA regulations and documenting client interactions accurately in electronic medical records.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Crisis InterventionSuicide PreventionMotivational Interviewing TechniquesHIPAA ComplianceClient Documentation

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Crisis InterventionSuicide PreventionMental Health CounselingSafety AssessmentsEmergency InterventionsDocumenting Chart NotesTyping Speed 35 WPMInformation-GatheringMultitaskingClient Referrals

Soft Skills

Emotional SupportProblem-SolvingCommunication SkillsValidationAdaptability

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft TeamsElectronic Medical RecordsTelephone CommunicationHigh-Speed InternetSecured Ethernet Connection

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in PsychologyAgency Affiliated Counselor Registration

Industry Keywords

Crisis LifelineMental Health InformationEmergency Services InterventionsCPS/APS ReferralsTarasoff Duty to Warn

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide crisis intervention, suicide prevention, information, referrals, and brief supportive counseling to individuals contacting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by phone
Work remotely and interact with clients exclusively by telephone
Support clients at risk for suicide using Lifeline Best Practices
Conduct thorough safety assessments
Offer validation and emotional support
Develop safety plans
Initiate emergency interventions or mandated reporting when necessary
Refer callers to regional crisis lines when appropriate
Manage client interactions to provide appropriate, efficient, and effective support
Adhere to HIPAA confidentiality and mandated reporting requirements, including Emergency Services Interventions, CPS/APS referrals, and Tarasoff Duty to Warn
Consult with peers and supervisors on compliance and imminent-risk issues
Document all client interactions accurately, ethically, and efficiently
Meet or exceed established key performance goals and adapt to new expectations
Use current technologies to communicate with clients and community members
Use Microsoft Teams to collaborate with peers and supervisors
Participate in staff meetings and training sessions
Provide backup support to other Regional Crisis Line and 988 programs as required

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or related field required
At least one (1) year of experience in a healthcare contact center and/or in mental health counseling
Experience in suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and/or mental health information and referral services preferred
Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration required within 30 days of employment, or equivalent, and must remain in active status during employment
Passing a typing test with a score of 35 WPM or higher
Fluency in English (oral and written)
Proficiency in motivational interviewing techniques and active listening
Strong problem-solving and information-gathering abilities
Superior communication skills for clear, accurate, and complete client interactions
Ability to multitask, including talking and typing simultaneously
Efficiency in documenting chart notes in electronic medical records
Private and secure home office space with an enclosed room and door if there are cohabitants of any age
High-speed internet with minimum download speed of 100Mbps and upload speed of 10Mbps
Recent internet speed test result required as proof
Secured wired connection using a secured ethernet cable; wireless connections (WiFi) are not allowed
Satellite internet providers such as HughesNet, Starlink, or Visat are not supported

Benefits

Comp & perks

Vacation up to 200 hours
Sick time up to 108.64 hours
Competitive compensation
9 paid holidays per year + 2 paid floating holidays
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Savings Account (FSA) medical & dependent care
Free Employee Assistance program
403(b) Retirement Plan matching
Professional Development opportunities