The Mental Health Therapist provides crisis intervention to people across the lifespan, including adults, children, and families who are experiencing mental health or substance use concerns. Services are provided in the community by mobile response and at the Hawthorn Walk-in Center. Conducts mental health risk assessments and triage, coordinates crisis intervention, develops short-term person-centered stabilization plans, assists with resource linkage, and initiates involuntary transport to the emergency department (Director's Custody Hold) when indicated for safety reasons.
Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Hawthorn Crisis Site in Hillsboro, OR.
Pay/Benefits: $36.73 starting hourly pay plus, Full benefits.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Responds
to emergency situations involving children and adults experiencing mental
health crisis.
- Provides
on-site (clinic based and in the community) mental health assessments and
crisis intervention as appropriate.
- Performs
client evaluations and risk assessments. Formulates a diagnosis and
develops a short term stabilization or safety plan to relieve the present
mental health crisis and to provide a stable environment for clients.
Notifies client and significant other(s) of diagnosis and initial
recommendations. Completes written narrative of evaluation and obtains
necessary releases. May participate in long-term treatment plans.
- Provides
follow up contact as developed in the stabilization or safety plan.
- Provides
consultation and training to staff, caregivers, families, and community
organizations regarding mental health issues, addiction and behavior
management as it relates to clients.
- Meets
performance standards for productivity, documentation (including progress
notes, assessments, treatment plans and authorization requests),
proficiency in clinical model and evidence based practices, quality of
care (including engagement and retention), and teamwork as defined in the
Performance Review.
- Continually
increases level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency.
Actively participates in a minimum of four hours of training related to
cultural effectiveness in working with diverse populations.
- Maintains
awareness of community referral resources. Helps to build positive
relationships with other community providers and provides appropriate
referral services.
- Identifies
cases involving domestic abuse or other family problems affecting clients'
development and determines whether clients should be counseled or referred
to other specialists. Follows through with mandatory reporting duties.
- Ensures
that all necessary equipment for crisis response is ready at all
times.
- Maintains
professional presentation in the community at all times and responds to
all situations / calls with a customer service attitude.
- Prepares
mental health evaluations and reports for all client contacts. Maintains
clear and concise records. Maintains case files that include activities,
progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations according to
confidentiality guidelines. Completes documentation in an electronic
health records system in a timely basis. Completes time and
attendance forms.
- Participates
in regular individual and team meetings with supervisor. Attends
informational and clinical meetings which may include all staff and team
meetings, consultation with other staff or community partners, and
required trainings.
- Assists
staff members by helping to resolve difficult emergency situations and
serves as back-up for other staff when needed.
- Checks
e-mail/voice mail daily/throughout the day when working responds to
contacts within 24 to 48 hours.
- Travels
between sites and in the community, may transports clients in LifeWorks NW
vehicles.
- Requires
some evening, weekend and holiday shifts.
- For
on call positions, graveyard/overnight shifts work from home and respond
to crisis calls by phone or in person as needed.
- Qualified
licensed clinicians may be requested to provide licensure supervision as
part of their regular position in compliance with the rules of their
licensing board.
Qualifications:
- Strong
assessment, decision-making and interpersonal skills are absolute
necessities for this position.
- This position requires a valid and active QMHP credential certification through MHACBO or a valid and active status (licensed or registered intern) with an approved Oregon licensing board.
- Master's
degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or a Mental Health related
field.
- Demonstrated
ability to conduct an mental health crisis assessment, including identifying
precipitating events, gathering histories of mental and physical health,
alcohol and other drug use, past mental health services and criminal
justice contacts, assessing family, social and working relationships and
conducting a mental status examination; complete a five-axis DSM
diagnosis; write and supervise the implementation of an Individual Service
and Support Plan; and provide individual, family and/or group therapy to
address chemical dependency and/or mental health problems.
- More
than 1 year of experience preferred in a broad range of clinical
interventions and mental health assessments with children and families or
individual with severe and persistent mental illness.
- Demonstrated
ability to work effectively on a highly interdependent team, necessary
skill sets include: initiative, dependability, flexibility and strong
organizational skills.
- Demonstrated
ability to maintain case management in accordance with federal, state
and/or funding source requirements as well as LifeWorks' NW policies and
procedures.
- Knowledge
of community resources and treatment agencies enabling appropriate
referrals for specific client needs.
- Knowledge
of medications commonly used by client population.
- Good
computer skills including a functional knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and
Word. Ability to master proprietary software including electronic
health record system. This includes the ability to enter data and retrieve
data and to prepare simple reports.
- Demonstrates
effective communication skills and maintains a cooperative working
relationship with others in a culturally diverse environment.
- Requires
valid driver's license and ability to meet LifeWorks NW driving
requirements.
- Ability
to perform essential functions of job without creating a direct threat to
the safety of self or others.
This is a represented position.
LifeWorks NW is a private, non-profit organization providing prevention, mental health, substance use treatment, and related social services to youths, adults, and older adults in over fifteen locations throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. LifeWorks NW promotes a healthy community by providing quality and culturally responsive mental health and addiction services across the lifespan.
Our core values-Recovery and Relationships, Resilience, and Results-inform the work we do. The four pillars of the strategic vision include Compassionate, Impactful Care, Holistic Health, Passionate Team, and Thriving Organization. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are critical to successfully achieving the mission. We know that "life works" when people get the help they need and are dedicated to changing lives.
Equal Opportunity Employer
www.lifeworksnw.org
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