Help Families Cope after a life changing disaster - Join our Disaster Mental Health Team

Overview: This position supports the Regional Disaster Cycle Services department. The purpose of this position is to provide Disaster Mental Health (DMH) services to clients and Red Cross workers during preparedness, response, and recovery within a chapter/region.

Key Responsibilities:

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

Qualifications: Potential volunteers must fulfill the requirements from either A,B,C or D to qualify for the Disaster Mental Health Service Associate Position.

 A. CURRENTLY LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: 

• At minimum, holds a master’s degree in one of the mental health professions listed below
• 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 nonclinical licenses such as Licensed Masters Social Worker or LMSW)

 B. CURRENT SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS: 

• At minimum, holds a master’s degree in school psychology or school counseling
• Holds a current, unencumbered license or certification as a school psychologist or school counselor issued by an appropriate state board.

 C. CURRENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSES: 

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

 D. RETIRED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: 

• Meet the above educational criteria for specified profession.
• 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
• 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 prior to 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.