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.

TAY (Transition Age Youth) program serves youth and young adults, ages 16 to 24, during their transition into adulthood. The program works with young adults who have a significant mental illness impacting their ability to successfully function in the community and achieve normal developmental milestones. SMALL CASELOADS!

The Mental Health Therapist assesses, diagnoses, and treats transition age youth ages 15 to 25 experiencing their first onset of psychosis and schizophrenia spectrum illness in its initial 12 months.  Provides psycho education, appropriate treatments, and/or consultation with families, care providers, and community partners regarding treatment options.  Works in community based and office based settings.  Also offers community education to reduce the stigma of mental illness and raise awareness about psychosis. 

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

Pay/Benefits: $67,863-$87,286 annual pay plus, Full benefits.

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: 

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 evidenced 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.
• 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 to include evenings, nights.  May be required to work some weekends.
• Serves as back-up for other staff when needed.
• Checks e-mail/voice mail 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.

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 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.
• Requires ability to carry rotating pager for one week at a time.  While carrying a pager must have ability to respond immediately to crisis calls by phone in person as needed.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook and Word.  Ability to master proprietary software including electronic health record system required.
• Requires valid driver's license, proof of current automobile insurance coverage, verification of safe driving record from DMV, and ability to meet LWNW driving requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

www.lifeworksnw.org

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