The Mental Health Therapist - Intensive Transition Team provides Intensive Transitional Case Management for individuals who are high risk and not currently connected to a mental health provider. Clinician works with adults, children and families experiencing a mental health crisis, resulting in recent hospitalization and who are having difficulty connecting to or engaging with ongoing services. Services are provided in the community as well as out of the Hawthorn Walk-In Center, where the program is based. Conducts mental health risk assessments and triage, coordinates crisis intervention, develops short-term client centered stabilization plans, and assists with resource linkage for individuals who may need mental health services.
Experience working with children, youth and families strongly preferred.
As a behavioral health organization, LifeWorks NW employees are required to have had their COVID 19 vaccination (or have an approved medical/religious exemption) per State of Oregon rules. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required upon hire.
Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Hawthorn site.
Pay/Benefits: $34.29 starting hourly pay plus, Full benefits.
This is a represented position.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Responds to urgent situations involving children and adults experiencing mental health crisis.
- Provides in person 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.
- 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 and completes time and attendance forms in e3 in a timely manner.
- 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 and intensive case management 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.
- 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.
- Continually increases level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and humility. Actively participates in a minimum of four hours of training related to cultural effectiveness in working with diverse populations.
- 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.
- Assists staff members by helping to resolve difficult emergency situations and serves as back-up for other staff when needed.
- Checks e-mail/voice mail daily/throughout the day when working responds to contacts within 24 to 48 hours.
- Travels between sites and in the community, may transports clients in LifeWorks vehicles.
- Requires evening, weekend and holiday shifts.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Requires valid driver's license 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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' 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.
- Demonstrates effective communication skills and maintains a cooperative working relationship with others in a culturally diverse environment.
Working Conditions
- Office/Clinic setting
- Screen time
- Office lighting
- Sharing of cube space with colleagues
- Mobile response to various community locations including people's homes, hospitals, schools, jails, and other community-based location
- Exposure to elements
- Exposure to potential environmental and/or physical hazards
- 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.
- Face to face and in-person services
- Not eligible for agency alternative work arrangement.
- Program operates 24/7 - 365
- Staff can expect to work evening, weekend, and holiday 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).
- Daily tasks do not follow set routine
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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