The Overnight Mental Health Crisis Therapist provides crisis intervention to people across the lifespan, including adults, children, and families who are experiencing mental health or substance use concerns. Services are provided in the community by mobile response. 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 Hold) when indicated for safety reasons.

This is an on-call position from home.  Due to response time requirements, residency in Washington County is preferred.

Pay/Benefits: Starting at $36.73 per hour. 

Employee receives a stipend for having the phone overnight, Employee is paid hourly rate, plus additional $7.50 swing shift differential for actual hours worked (phone calls, in person mobile response and documentation).  In addition to hourly rate of pay, there is an additional stipend for providing mobile response.  Overnight shift is 9:30 pm to 7:45 am.

Hours: 9:30 pm to 7:45 am

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responds to emergency situations involving children and adults experiencing mental health crisis.
• Provides behavioral health risk assessments and crisis intervention in the community by mobile response.
• 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. 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.
• Continually increases level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and humility. Actively participates in a minimum of four hours of training related to working with diverse populations.
• Maintains awareness of community referral resources. Helps to build positive relationships with other community providers and provides appropriate referral services.
• Assists staff members by helping to resolve difficult emergency situations and serves as back-up for other staff when needed.
• 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.
• Identifies situations 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 always ready. 
• Always maintains professional presentation in the community 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.
• Participate in a culture of feedback at the agency by eliciting feedback to promote professional growth and assess work effectiveness
• Use Feedback-Informed Treatment service delivery approach to obtain and review feedback from clients regarding the fit and effectiveness of the services provided to them
• Checks e-mail/voice mail daily/throughout the day when working and responds to contacts within 24 to 48 hours.
• Travels between sites and in the community, may transport clients in LifeWorks NW vehicles.
• Graveyard/overnight shifts work from home and respond to crisis calls by phone or in person as needed.
• Qualified licensed clinicians may be offered the opportunity to provide licensure supervision as part of their regular position in compliance with the rules of their licensing board.

Work Activities:

Providing Direct Client Care

• Respond to variety of unplanned, unknown crisis events each day.  This includes assessing individuals of all ages across the lifespan and all acuity levels of behavioral health crisis. 
• Case management; consultation; risk assessment; skills training; crisis intervention.
• Requires developing rapport with individuals we are often meeting for the first time (do not have established relationship or history).
• De-escalation - use of verbal de-escalation skills to resolve heightened emotional situations on site and in the community, use of team approach to de-escalation as needed

Qualifications:

• Strong assessment, decision-making and interpersonal skills are absolute necessities for this position.
• Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or a Mental Health related field.
• Valid and active QMHP credential certification through MHACBO or a valid and active status (licensed or registered intern) with an approved Oregon licensing board.
• 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; identify appropriate DSM diagnosis; work with the individual to create a safety plan; and provide appropriate referrals to address chemical dependency and/or mental health concerns.
• More than 1 year of experience preferred in providing a broad range of clinical interventions and mental health assessments with children and families or individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Due to response time requirements, residency in Washington County is preferred.
• 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.
• Ability to perform essential functions of job without creating a direct threat to the safety of self or others.

Working Conditions:

• Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors.
• Work involves contacting individuals in crisis at times with limited information about circumstance or risk factors.
• Workday consists of primarily unplanned tasks.  
• Fieldwork is required on a regular basis.
• Work includes the use of a personal or company vehicle to travel to locations anywhere in Washington County for crisis response to include but not be limited to personal residences, campsites, hospitals, schools, jails, etc.
• Exposure to natural weather conditions, which may be severe while performing outdoor duties.
• May work in hazardous or unpleasant conditions.
• Environmental hazards include exposure to various conditions specific to each home including stairs, pets, allergens, odors, alcohol or drug paraphernalia, and/or various other environmental elements.
• Physical hazards include responding to volatile situations with individuals that are agitated or behaving aggressively.
• Potential for exposure to traumatic events that involve threat to the safety of self or others.
• May require working extended hours.
• Works while using personal protective equipment (when needed)
• As part of crisis and safety net services, our programs are considered essential services and continue to operate when other programs and agencies might be closed, such as during inclement weather or other hazardous conditions, like poor air quality.
• Individuals in this position need to report in person and provide services during inclement weather and other hazardous conditions (whenever reasonably possible).
• Program operates 365 days a year, 24 /7. Holidays are required.
• Work is in person.  Not eligible for agency alternative work arrangement.

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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