Description

This position is located in our Plaza Health Center in SE Portland at the Urgent Walk-In Clinic. This is an on-call/per diem position for all shifts. On-call/per diem receives an additional $2.00/hr. differential in lieu of benefits.

The UWIC Counselor III provides risk assessment and crisis stabilization planning for adults and children in Multnomah County. The UWIC Counselor III is responsible for providing and coordinating a wide range of supportive and therapeutic mental health services, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment. With the high prevalence of trauma among individuals receiving mental health services, it is required the Counselor III understand the effects of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of the lives of those we serve. This is a dynamic team that uses creativity and exploration of unique thinking to develop personal recovery plans one on one with clients and help with advocacy to overcome barriers.

Essential Responsibilities:

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary.

• Integrate best practices into the day to day operations including, Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing.
• Provide on-site crisis response, risk assessment, and safety planning to adults and children in Multnomah County experiencing mental health crises.
• Perform crisis assessments for new clients and complete enrollment paperwork as indicated.
• Coordinate care and provide assessment dispositions to treatment providers and emergency departments as appropriate.
• Consult with teammates, supervisors, program managers, and program medical directors as appropriate.
• Initiate involuntary holds and signs off on appropriate documentation.
• Provide information and facilitate linkage to mental health treatment and other social services.
• Teach and model positive behaviors and helps client reestablish sense of self and personal aspirations.
• Respect client rights and responsibilities and demonstrates professional boundaries and ethics.
• Assist in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the treatment team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment for clients and staff.
• Provide specialized clinical expertise to assist in crisis situations.
• Coordinate with other service providers throughout Multnomah County to provide crisis response and stabilization.
• 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. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation associated with billing, assessment, treatment, client’s progress and other activities, as required.
• Provide input into the establishment of operational procedures.
• Understand and abide by federal regulations of Alcohol and Drug information, 42CFR Part 2, mandatory abuse reporting laws, and HIPAA regulations for client confidentiality.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff and property; demonstrate 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.
• Provide clinical consultation to other Cascadia programs as need arises.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Role Specific Responsibilities:

• Identify and assess risk factors for harm to self or others in the context of the client’s current pyscho-social context via interview with client and with careful consideration of 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.
• If further evaluation at an Emergency Department is compelled facilitate this in a manner that is trauma-informed and client-centered.
• On-call positions provide relief to regular staff in the UWIC program. They require the ability to work a flexible schedule and must commit to working a minimum of 4 shifts a month.

This position is represented by a labor union.

Qualifications

Education:

Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university. Demonstrate competencies required to be credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR).Note:All QMHP qualified positions in the state of Oregon will need to be filled by incumbents who are officially certified or who meet eligibility qualifications to register with MHACBO as a QMHP. If you are not currently registered, you will need to be registered if you become employed with Cascadia. For more details on QMHP certification and registration, contactMHACBO (www.mhacbo.org)

The CADC credential is preferred in addition to a Master’s Degree given the high co-occurrence between substance use/abuse and mental health.

Experience:

Three years of clinical experience providing inpatient or outpatient services is preferred.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate a diagnosis according to the most current DSM
• Understanding of recovery model, motivational interviewing, illness management and recovery
• Thorough knowledge of evidence based practices, and strength based case management philosophies and strategies
• Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions
• Enter and retrieve data
• Prepare reports

Other:

Optional: 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.

Physical demands:

Activities and structure support community integration and assist clients in learning socially acceptable behaviors. Employee must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all residents and staff in potentially volatile situations.

• Occasionally stooping, lifting 20 to 50 lbs, climbing (stairs), crouching, reaching and running
• Regular sitting, Standing, walking, and Keyboarding
• Constant visual and auditory

Cascadia is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin or age.