Description

This position is located out of the Department of Human Services Office. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Job Overview

TheMobile Counselor III (Project Respond/DHS) will provide crisis intervention for adults and children accessing Department of Human Services who are experiencing behavioral health crisis as well as staff who may be impacted by DHS client behavior. This position works as part of a multidisciplinary team which includes a Peer Support Specialist and approaches work with people from a trauma-informed, strength-based perspective and works in concert with programs Multnomah County’s Acute Care Continuum. The goal of the team is to ultimately decrease traditional police contact with individuals in crisis by providing high quality care regardless of insurance, income, race, age, or physical ability with the aim of supporting de-escalation of the crisis and linkage to needed community-based services.

This position is community-based and mobile. It will be located at a designated DHS office(homebase). From there, teams of two may be dispatched to additional DHS locations needing crisis support.

Services provided will include immediate crisis response, de-escalation, risk assessment, crisis stabilization planning, and resource connection. The team will provide a trauma-informed, community-based, client-centered approach to serving the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community. Clinicians on this team will provide short-term services to help individuals connect with community supports including mental health care, basic needs, social supports, medical care, drug and alcohol treatment, and other resources to mitigate the crisis and decrease further involvement with law enforcement. When it is not possible to develop a community safety plan, clinicians may initiate a director’s custody hold in order to transport the individual to the nearest emergency room for further evaluation.

Essential Duties

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.

• Provide mobile crisis response, as part of a 2-person team, to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises at one of the DHS locations within Multnomah County.
• Identify and assess risk factors for harm to self or others in the context of the client’s current psycho-social context 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 director’s custody transport holds for individuals deemed at risk of harm to self and/or others following County guidelines.
• Provide Trauma Support to DHS staff after critical incidences. Trauma Support training will be provided by Cascadia.
• Help facilitate trainings for on de-escalation, trauma-informed approaches, suicide screenings and mobile crisis information to DHS staff.
• 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 coordinate with Department of Human Services staff and leadership
• Provide information and facilitate linkage to mental health treatment and other social services.
• Consult with Project Respond teammates, supervisors, program managers, and program medical directors as appropriate.
• Ability to 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; is familiar 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 to develop professional skills and abilities.
• Comply with all required Cascadia trainings.
• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

This position must understand, appreciate, and respect the diversity and cultural differences within our Cascadia community. As such, it is expected that this position promotes integrated care, our vision of trauma-informed and person-first approaches and helps create a work environment of inclusion, safety, and acceptance.

Qualifications

Education:

Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university.

Demonstrate the competencies as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).

Experience:

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

Specialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to 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:

Must pass a Criminal Background Check.

Core Competencies

Leadership and Decision Making:

Provide clinical consultation to Department of Human Services staff and other Cascadia Programs when appropriate.

Make decisions under pressure.

Maintain confidentiality of information when necessary.

Interpersonal:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Effectively engage with internal providers, external providers, and stakeholders.

Work independently as well as part of a team.

Demonstrate a work history of dependability.

Possess clinical skills that honor individual autonomy while promoting a safe and secure environment.

Demonstrate initiative and creativity in approaching problems and tasks.

Identifying opportunities to improve methods, systems, and procedures to increase productivity and enhance services.

Understand, appreciate, and respect diversity and cultural differences.

Represent the program effectively in a variety of settings and with diverse communities.

Working Conditions

This position operates out of various Oregon Department of Human Services locations throughout Multnomah County and will require travel to and from locations. 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 Crisis 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 Crisis Counselor III must work collaboratively with their partner to minimize risk to self and clients and, when necessary, quickly, and accurately communicate with police agencies in emergency situations.

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 1^st of the month following 30 days after hire date)
• VSP Vision Discount Plan
• 403(B) Retirement Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with 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

Wellness Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bicycle Reimbursement
• Discounted Fitness Memberships
• Trauma Support Team

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 503.963.7654.

Qualifications