Mental Health Therapist, Crisis-On Call #163
At LifeWorks NW, our work strengthens the health and wellbeing of individuals and families at every stage of life. Our mission is to promote a healthy community through high-quality, culturally responsive mental health, addiction, and prevention services that create real, lasting change. Guided by our values of recovery and resilience, relationships, and results, we partner closely with clients and communities to reduce stigma and build pathways to stability and hope. If you want your work to make a meaningful difference beyond the walls of an office, we invite you to join us.
The on-call Mental Health Therapist, Crisis 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.
Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Hawthorn location.
Pay/Benefit: $38.97-$42.96 per hour.
Additional pay differentials: $7.50 per hour for swing shifts (between 5 pm and 7:30 am) and $7.50 per hour on weekends (Friday at 5 pm-Sunday).
Salary Placement Notice:
The posted salary range reflects the compensation potential for this role. Most candidates will be placed between the entry level and midpoint of the range, depending on their experience and qualifications. However, more seasoned professionals with extensive exact or similar experience may be considered for placement toward the higher end of the range. Final salary offers are made in alignment with internal compensation processes in accordance with Oregon Pay Equity laws.
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.
- 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.
- Assists staff members by helping to resolve difficult emergency situations and serves as back-up for other staff when needed.
- 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.
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's 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.
This is a represented position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Drug Free/Tobacco Free Site 01/09
