LifeWorks NW's Hawthorn Walk-In Center provides crisis intervention with people who are experiencing mental health or substance use concerns.

The Mental Health Therapist responds to people across the lifespan experiencing a mental health crisis. Primarily provides clinic based crisis intervention with people who come in to the walk-in center with mental health or substance use concerns. This position is also crossed trained for mobile response to provide crisis response in the community. 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) when indicated for safety reasons.

As a behavioral health organization, LifeWorks NW employees are required to have had their COVID 19 vaccination (or have an approved medical/religious exemption) per State of Oregon rules. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required upon hire. 

Location: Hawthorn Walk-In Center is in Hillsboro, OR

Days/Hours: This is an on-call position, schedule varies, must be available evenings and/or weekends.

Pay/Benefits: $28.22 to $30.49 per hour. Eligible for a swing shift differential. 

Essential Responsibilities: (Must be able to be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.)

• 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.

Work Activities:

Providing Direct Client Care - case management; consultation; assessment; skills training; crisis intervention.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying and Assessing Actions and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic form.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships or systems.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to co-workers and clinical team.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, and Clients - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and clients by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as standing, sitting, lifting up to and occasionally 25 - 50 lbs, walking, reaching and twisting.

Exposure to Environmental and/or Physical Hazards - May be exposed to various conditions specific to each home including stairs, pets, allergens, odors, alcohol or drug paraphernalia, and/or various other environmental elements.

Qualifications: (Equivalent education and/or experience may be substituted for qualifications.  Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities.  To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each task proficiently.)

• 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 upon hire.
• 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.

Knowledge:

Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and counseling.  Recognition of medical necessity and knowledge of the golden thread of treatment, from client intake through discharge.  Familiarity of applications of evidence based practices appropriate to client population.

Customer Service - Knowledge of theories and methods for actively listening to clients, maintaining a professional demeanor in stressful situations, and involving the client when possible in all phases of service provision.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, and court procedures as it applies to mental health and the commitment process.

Medicine - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, and preventive health-care measures.

Skills:

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Abilities:

Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Vision - The ability to see details at close and far range (within a few feet of the observer).

LifeWorks NW is a private, non-profit organization providing prevention, mental health, substance use treatment, and related social services to over 30,000 youths, adults, and older adults in 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. Core values include Recovery and Relationships, Resilience, and Results. 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. LifeWorks NW is committed to advancing our equity and inclusion work with an emphasis on ensuring an anti-racist organizational culture and practice.  We strive to continuously improve the cultural competence and cultural humility of LifeWorks NW, its staff, and its services to clients and consumers in all aspects including race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic background and status, age, religion, veteran status, citizen status, and ability. LifeWorks NW creates and upholds a work environment that is respectful and inclusive for all. LifeWorks NW services are effective across cultural groups.

Equal Opportunity Employer

www.lifeworksnw.org

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