The Mental Health Therapist responds children and adolescents ages 3 to 18 experiencing a mental health crisis.  Provides mobile based crisis response to people with mental health concerns. Conducts mental health risk assessments and triage, coordinates crisis intervention, develops short-term client centered stabilization plans, assists with resource linkage, and initiates involuntary civil commitment petitions to individuals who may need mental health services. Evening and weekend shifts work from home and respond to crisis calls by phone or in person as needed.

Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's King site.

Pay/Benefits: $65,349 starting annual salary, plus Full benefits. 

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

• Meets performance standards, documentation proficiency in clinical model and evidence based practices, quality of care (including engagement and retention) and teamwork as defined in the Performance Review.
• Responds to emergency situations involving children experiencing mental health crisis.
• Performs client evaluations and risk assessments, develops a short term stabilization or safety plan to relieve the present mental health crisis and to provide a stable environment for clients.   
•  Provides follow up contact as developed in the stabilization or safety plan. 
• Provides community-based mental health assessments and crisis intervention as appropriate. 
• Continually increases level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency. Actively participates in a minimum of four hours training related to cultural effectiveness in working with diverse populations.
• Provides referral services to clients and their families, e.g. health, mental health services, community supports, etc.  Maintains awareness of community referral resources. 
• Acts as client advocate to coordinate required services or to provide emergency/crisis interventions and supports. Will be available on call as assigned to program clients to include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. .
• Participates in regular individual and team meetings with supervisor.  Attends informational and clinical meetings which may include all-agency meetings, team meetings, consultation meetings with psychiatrist, intra-agency trainings, completes online trainings as assigned, etc. 
• Assists staff members by helping to resolve difficult emergency situations and serves as backup for other staff when needed.
• Checks e-mail/voice mail daily/throughout the day when working responding to contacts within 48 hours  for routine matter (urgent matters may require a more immediate response) 
• Travels between sites or in the community and transports clients in personal and/or LifeWorks NW vehicle.
• Administers first (if certified) according to prescribed procedures and notifies emergency medical personnel when necessary.
• Required to complete critical incident reports when indicated within 24 hours of a critical incident.
• 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:

• 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 Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work or a mental health related field, etc. 
• Must have experience in de-escalating clients and risk/suicide assessment. 
• Requires ability to carry rotating pager/cell phone for specified rotation times.  While carrying a pager/cell phone must have ability to respond immediately to crisis calls by phone or in person as needed.
• More than 1 year experience in broad range of clinical interventions and mental health assessments specific to children, adolescents and families.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct an assessment, including identifying precipitating events, alcohol and other drug use, past mental health services and criminal justice contacts, conducting a mental status examination; complete a five-axis DSM diagnosis. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally-competent treatment services to diverse client populations and maintains cooperative working relationship with others in a culturally diverse environment.  Bilingual (English/Spanish) fluency skills preferred, but not required. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of treatment methods for individual, family and group therapy to address mental health needs.
• Demonstrated ability to provide case management services in accordance with federal, state and/or funding source requirements as well as LifeWorks' 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.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends. This position may possibly have some hours during the week (for team meeting and crisis diversion tasks)
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook and Word.  Ability to master proprietary software including electronic health record system required. 
• Requires access to a car, a valid driver's license, proof of current automobile insurance coverage, and verification of safe driving record from DMV.
• Ability to perform essential functions of job without creating a direct threat to the safety of self or others.