The Mental Health Therapist-Transition Age Youth (STRIDE) assesses, diagnoses, and treats transitional age youth ages 15 to 24 experiencing severe mental illness and/or behavioral problems in community or home-based settings.. Provides appropriate treatment and/or consultation with families, care providers, and community partners regarding treatment options.

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

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for client evaluations including initial intake interviews. Formulates diagnoses and identifies appropriate treatment services. Notifies client and significant other(s) of diagnosis and initial recommendations, completes written narrative of evaluation, and obtains necessary releases within specified timeline standards.
• Develops therapeutic treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, strengths and needs. Treatment plans will be based upon clinical experience and knowledge, and will have measurable goals and objectives based on the diagnosis and will specify type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy. Treatment plans will be client driven and follow-ups will be completed on time, assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
• Conducts individual, family and group therapy sessions based on current evidence-based practices e.g. collaborative problem solving, cognitive behavioral interventions, solution focused therapy, wrap around principles, and multisystemic treatment approaches.
• Responsible for case management. Coordinates/collaborates with physicians, staff, families, caregivers, etc. May provide training to staff, caregivers, and family regarding issues of mental health, addiction, and behavior management as it relates to clients.
• May assist in assessment during screening process to determine if client meets eligibility criteria.
• Obtains and studies medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals or families and by reviewing records such as medical records or school reports.
• Consults with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
• Interviews clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing the clients' situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
• Provides referral services to clients and their families, e.g. health, mental health services, community supports, etc. Maintains awareness of community referral resources.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans and diagnoses as necessary. Uses program outcome measures as assigned.
• Documents and maintains client records to ensure compliance with agency and contract guidelines and confidentiality. Obtains pertinent records from other treatment providers and tracks client's involvement, follow-through, and progress in varied treatment activities. Completes documentation in electronic health record system.
• Identifies cases involving family problems affecting clients' development and determines whether clients should be counseled or referred to specialists. Addresses legal issues, such as domestic abuse.
• Acts as client advocate to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations. Will be available on call as assigned to program clients including evenings, nights. May be required to work some weekends.
• Serves as back-up for other staff when needed.
• Checks e-mail/voicemail daily/throughout the day when working responding to contacts within same day or by the next business day for routine matter (urgent matters will require a more immediate response)
• Travels between sites or in the community and transports clients in personal and/or LifeWorks NW vehicle.
• 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: 

• Requires a QMHP credential either through the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) or by obtaining and maintaining active internship or licensed with an eligible state licensing board. All prospective candidates must either have a valid MHACBO registration number or licensing intern number.
• Master's degree in area of specialization directly related to work performed e.g. psychology, counseling, social work, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct an 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 within the scope of their training.
• Demonstrated effective communication skills and ability to provide culturally-competent treatment services to diverse client populations and maintains cooperative working relationship with others in a culturally diverse environment.
• More than 1 year experience in broad range of clinical interventions and mental health assessment specific to children, adolescents and families.
• 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 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.
• 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.

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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