Mental Health Associate

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer at recruiting@options.org to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Options Counseling and Family Services, founded in 1991 in Florence, Oregon, has since expanded to serve fourteen counties in western Oregon. Headquartered in Eugene, we provide quality mental health and family preservation services to diverse communities. Committed to supporting health, safety, and empowerment.

Benefits

Options offer these benefits to our full-time employees (full-time is any employee working 30 hours per week) company-paid health/vision and dental, long-term disability, and life insurance; for a full list of all benefits, please view our website: https://options.org/careers/benefits.
 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they have every one of the qualifications as described. We are most interested in finding the best candidate and our hiring processes are centered on assessing candidates based on diverse experience. Please let us know if you have questions.

General Description:

Provides variable hours of "hands-on" in-community demonstration, teaching, and support to achieve behavioral changes in families where child mental health issues are present. The Mental Health Associate will assess the youths needs and co-create a behavioral plan with the assigned therapist and client. Families served include those in which children have behavioral, social, emotional and mental health issues and may be reuniting with their families after out-of-home placement, working to avoid out-of-home placement, and/or transitioning to less intensive level of care. Collaborates with other service providers and community agencies, provides oral and written reports. Ability to travel to families homes and communities required.

Schedule/Hours:

This position is anticipated to be part-time (20-30 hours/week). However, some weeks may have fewer scheduled hours. The actual hours worked may vary daily depending on the needs of the referring agency or individual client families. Some overtime may be required and approved by your supervisor in response to client needs, referrals, or other factors.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be able to qualify as a Qualified Mental Health Associate with the Mental Health & Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO). Pass a ODHS background check and/or fingerprinting. Two years of knowledge in behavioral interventions, basic knowledge of parenting skills, and experience working with disadvantaged individuals and families in the provision of services. Knowledge of dynamics of high-risk families including drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse and neglect. Must have respectful, open, unbiased, accepting attitude toward clients and their families. Must have a valid Oregon drivers license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance.*

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in social work, psychology, family studies or related field. Strong understanding of available community resources and supports.

Essential duties and Responsibilities:

50% - Direct Service

• Provide practical in-community services and support to clients to promote, maintain, or restore successful community living

• Provide respite care services in the home or community, including recreational activities and behavioral monitoring

• Identify family and individual client strengths to help resolve child and family safety and attachment concerns

• Provide supervised visits to children separated from one or both parents to ease the transition from foster care or relative placement to home

• Establish goals based on client living standard choices

• Teach and model appropriate play, and attachment and behavior management techniques

• Work with a variety of disadvantaged individuals and families in difficult circumstances

• Identify clients with drug and alcohol dependence

• Identify physically and sexually abused children

• Empathize with and motivate clients

• Recognize client needs and abilities

• Learn and work within specific agency operations, policies and procedures affecting assigned work

35% - Case Coordination

• Coordinate access and provision of services from multiple agencies, including establishing service linkages, advocating for service needs and obtaining entitlements based on mental or emotional disability

• Cooperate with therapists, case managers, courts, attorneys, public school teachers, care coordinators and other professional individuals

• Attend and participate in group supervision

• Maintain effective working relationships with professional service staff

15% - Documentation

• Prepare clear, concise written reports, including treatment plans, closing summaries, and other reports as required

• Keep accurate records of client services provided

• Perform assigned tasks quickly and accurately from written and oral instructions

• Schedule a variety of daily tasks and handle crises independently

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to answer questions and gather and exchange information

• Other duties as assigned

Working Conditions:

• May be required to work afternoon, evening, and/or weekend hours

• Will travel locally and transport clients with own vehicle. Must be insured with liability insurance*

• Extended periods of time sitting at work station updating client records, phone work, and client sessions

• Ability to stand, work, and drive throughout the day.

• Mobility and dexterity sufficient to assist clients and handle required job-related functions and move about the facility

• Ability to cope with clients who may use challenging or offensive language with potential for escalation to physical aggression

* Positions that require driving clients must maintain vehicle insurance as required by law, with a minimum of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 personal auto liability coverage (proof of insurance will be required).

**Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable applicants with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Salary : $21 - $30