Job Description

Counselor III, Mobile (Project Respond)

Job Overview

Location/Schedule : This position is based out of the Kerns building in NE Portland, OR, but is a community-based position. The schedule is Sunday through Tuesday, 9:00 p.m to 7:30 a.m.

Position : Mobile Counselor III

Program : Project Respond

Cascadia's Mission and Vision

Mission: Cascadia Health delivers whole health care – integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing – to promote hope and support the well-being of the communities we serve.

Vision: We envision a community where everyone benefits from whole health care, experiences well-being, and has a self-directed, connected life.

Position Description: The Mobile Counselor III provides immediate mobile crisis response, risk assessment, and crisis stabilization for adults and children in Multnomah County. This role, grounded in a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach, involves collaborating with mental health and physical health care providers, police agencies, emergency departments, schools, and social service organizations to ensure the best possible treatment for clients. Responsibilities include triaging mental health crisis calls, assessing risk, coordinating crisis responses, initiating involuntary holds as needed, and facilitating connections to mental health services. The Mobile Counselor III also documents interactions and ensures compliance with agency and regulatory standards.

Essential Responsibilities

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities or an all inclusive job description.

• Provide immediate mobile response to individuals experiencing mental health crises in Multnomah County.

• Triage mental health crisis calls as they come into the office from the Multnomah County Call Center and law enforcement agencies.

• Identify and assess risk factors for harm to self or others in the context of the client’s current psycho-social state via interview with client and with consideration given to collateral information; consider and articulate potential outcomes of various interventions, discuss their risks and benefits, and formulate why a particular course of action was pursued in lieu of other options; opt for least intrusive and most supportive intervention.

• Initiate involuntary transport holds for individuals deemed at risk of harm to self and/or others following County guidelines.

• Coordinate responses to crisis situations with community agencies and service providers.

• Provide assessment dispositions to treatment providers and emergency departments as appropriate.

• Assess for personal safety in the environment and request law enforcement support as appropriate.

• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to determine risk of intervention and develop plans for approach of clients in crises.

• Provide information and facilitate linkage to mental health treatment and other social services.

• Consult with teammates, supervisors, program managers, and program medical directors as appropriate.

• Operate in a sometimes ambiguous and frequently changing work environment.

• Respect client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.

• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.

• Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.

• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff and property; possess familiarity with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.

• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated in the licensing requirements for the facility as well as agency requirements. Attend seminars, training and other educational opportunities in order to develop professional skills and abilities.

• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university. Demonstrate the competencies to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR).

Experience

• Equivalent combination of education/experience preferably in a non-profit organization preferred

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate a diagnosis according to the most current DSM

• Advanced knowledge of risk assessment and crisis intervention

• Understand evidence-based practices, and strength-based case management philosophies and strategies including trauma informed care

• Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions including the ability to operate Electronic Health Record software

Other

• The Project Respond Clinician must have the ability to work a flexible work schedule as the Project Respond program operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

• Possess a valid driver’s license, three year driving history; clean driving record, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course. This position requires the ability to drive a personal or company vehicle for the completion of work duties.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in the community setting including client residences, schools, police precincts, shelters, residential facilities, and public spaces. Meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise and contaminants.

Mental Demands: The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances in which outcomes may negatively affect clients, community and/or employee mental health. The nature of the work dictates that the employee is alert and attentive during their assigned shift. The Mobile Counselor III must have the ability to quickly assess and respond to concerns related to interpersonal and environmental safety. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.

Physical Demands: The Mobile Counselor III must work collaboratively with partner to minimize risk to self and clients and, when necessary, quickly and accurately communicate with police agencies in emergent situations.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 503.963.7654.

This position is represented by a labor union.

Benefits

We offer generous benefits for our full-time and part-time employees (20 hours + pro-rated) including:

• Generous Paid Time Off Package Full-time employees earn 6 weeks of PTO in their first year!

• Medical and Dental Coverage (begins 1st of the month following hire date)

• VSP Vision Discount Plan

• 403(B) Retirement Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with up to 8% employer matching contribution!)

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Medical, dependent care, and transportation options)

• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance

• Paid Bereavement and Jury Duty Leave

• Length of Service Award

• Voluntary Life Insurance

• Supplemental Insurance

• Student loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Bike to Work Reimbursement

• Discounted Fitness Memberships

• Trauma Support Team

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

$36.20 - $38.77

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