The Adult Outpatient Mental Health Therapist will assess and diagnose adults experiencing mental health issues and behavioral problems in an outpatient setting. Provide appropriate treatment and/or consultation with care providers about treatment options.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsible for client evaluation including initial intake interview, formulating diagnosis, identifying appropriate treatment services. Obtain necessary releases, notify client, significant other(s), care givers and care providers of diagnosis and initial recommendations and complete written narrative of evaluation. 
• Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods. Observe and evaluate client's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Analyze data such as interview notes, and reference manuals to identify symptoms and to diagnose the nature of clients' problems. 
• Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, and reference materials. Address legal issues as needed. 
• Provide referral services to clients and their families, e.g., institutional living, health, mental health services, employment services, etc. Maintain awareness of community referral resources. 
• Develops therapeutic treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, strengths and needs. Treatment plans will be evidence based using clinical experience and knowledge, and will have measurable goals and objectives based on the diagnosis and will specify type, frequency, intensity, time frames of outcomes and duration of therapy. Treatment plans will client driven and follow-ups will be completed on time, assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
• May confer with clients, significant others and treatment team to develop plans for post treatment activities. 
• Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, define goals, and develop realistic action plans. Guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems. 
• May be responsible for service coordination. Coordinate/collaborate with physicians, staff, families, caregivers, etc. Maintain chart notes related to external contracts, obtaining pertinent records from other treatment and tracking client's involvement, follow-through and progress in varied treatment activities. Document all services and contacts provides related t treatment. 
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans and diagnoses as necessary. 
• Document and maintain client records in electronic healthcare system within 24 hours of meeting with client to ensure compliance with agency and contract guidelines and confidentiality. May conduct Resident Reviews and more detailed mental health evaluations for residents of long-term facilities. 
• May provide training to staff, caregivers, and family regarding issues of mental health, addiction and behavior management as it relates to clients.
• Provide crisis intervention. May serve as Clinician of the Day.
• Serve as back-up for other staff when needed.
• Check e-mail/voice mail throughout the day when working responding appropriately.
• Continually increase level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and competency.
• May need to travel between sites or in the community.
• May need to work some evenings.
• 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.
• Participate in regular individual and team meetings with supervisor. Attend informational and clinical meetings which may include all staff and team meetings, consultation with other staff and required trainings.
• 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:

• 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.
  Master's degree in area of specialization directly related to work performed; or a bachelor's degree in nursing or occupational therapy and licensure through the State of Oregon.
• May require LCSW or LPC.
• More than 1 year experience in broad range of clinical interventions and mental health assessment specific to the client population.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct an 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 work relationships and conducting a mental status examination, complete a five-axis DSM diagnosis; write and supervise the implementation of an Individual Services and Support Plan and provide individual, family , and/or group therapy within the scope of their training. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of treatment methods for individual, family and group therapy to address chemical dependency and/or mental health problems
• Demonstrated ability to maintain case management in accordance with federal, state and/or funding source requirements as well as LifeWorks NW policies and procedures.
• Compliance with federal and state confidentiality rules and regulations. 
• Knowledge of community resources and treatment agencies enabling appropriate referrals for specific client needs.
• Knowledge of medications commonly used by client population.
• May require access to a car and ability to drive between sites or in the community.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and ability to provide culturally-competent treatment services to diverse client populations.
• Good computer skills including a functional knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and Word. Ability to master proprietary software including electronic health record system.
• Check e-mail/voice mail daily/throughout the day when working responding within needed timeframe.
• May need to work some evenings.
• Ability to perform essential functions of job without creating a direct threat to the safety of self or others.