Mental Health Therapist-Crisis Team

Newly Increased Pay Rate!

The Mental Health Therapist provides crisis intervention to people across the lifespan, including adults, children, and families who are experiencing mental health or substance use concerns. Services are provided in the community by mobile response and at the Hawthorn Walk-in Center. Conducts mental health risk assessments and triage, coordinates crisis intervention, develops short-term person-centered stabilization plans, assists with resource linkage, and initiates involuntary transport to the emergency department (Director's Custody Hold) when indicated for safety reasons. Graveyard/overnight shifts work from home and respond to crisis calls by phone or in person as needed.

As a behavioral health organization, LifeWorks NW employees are required to have had their COVID 19 vaccination (or have an approved medical/religious exemption) per State of Oregon rules. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required upon hire.

Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Hawthorn site.

Pay/Benefits: $33.29 starting hourly pay plus, Full benefits. Additional $7.50 per hour differential for swing shift and weekends. 

Days/Hours: Various schedules available. Full-time positions, working 40 hours per week.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responds to emergency situations involving people experiencing behavioral health crisis.
• Provides on-site, community-based mental health assessments and crisis intervention as appropriate.
• Performs clinical evaluations and risk assessments. Formulates a diagnosis and develops a short-term stabilization or safety plan to relieve the present mental health crisis and to provide a stable environment for clients. Notifies client and significant other(s) of clinical impressions and initial recommendations. Completes written narrative of evaluation and obtains necessary releases.
• Provides follow up contact as developed in the stabilization or safety plan.
• Prepares mental health evaluations and reports for all client contacts. Maintains clear and concise records. Maintains case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations according to confidentiality guidelines. Completes documentation in an electronic health records system in a timely basis. Completes time and attendance forms.
• Provides consultation and training to staff, caregivers, families, and community organizations regarding mental health issues, addiction and behavior management as it relates to clients.
• Must follow the directions of the law enforcement officer to which they are assigned in regard to safety and security issues.
• Continually increases level of cultural sensitivity, awareness and humility. Actively participates in a minimum of four hours of training related to cultural effectiveness in working with diverse populations.
• Assists staff members by helping to resolve difficult emergency situations and serves as back-up for other staff when needed.
• Maintains awareness of community referral resources. Helps to build positive relationships with other community providers and provides coordination and appropriate referral services.
• Identifies situations involving domestic abuse or other family problems affecting clients' development and determines whether clients should be counseled or referred to other specialists. Follows through with mandatory reporting duties.
• Ensures that all necessary equipment for crisis response is always ready.
• Always maintains professional presentation in the community and responds to all situations / calls with a customer service attitude.
• Participate in a culture of feedback at the agency by eliciting feedback to promote professional growth and assess work effectiveness.
• Use Feedback-Informed Treatment service delivery approach to obtain and review feedback from clients regarding the fit and effectiveness of the services provided to them.
• Checks email / voicemail daily / throughout the day when working. Responds to contacts within 24 to 48 hours.
• Participates in regular individual and team meetings with supervisor. Attends informational and clinical meetings which may include all staff and team meetings, consultation with other staff or community partners, and required trainings.
• Participates in briefings with the Sheriff's Office and maintains confidentiality of information discussed according to both LWNW and Sheriff's Office standards.
• Requires some evening and weekend shifts.
• Travels between sites and in the community.
• 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.

Work Activities:

• Respond to a variety of unplanned, unknown crisis events each day. This includes assessing individuals of all ages across the lifespan and all acuity levels of behavioral health crisis.
• Requires developing rapport with individuals we are often meeting for the first time (do not have established relationship or history).
• De-escalation- use of verbal de-escalation skills to resolve heightened emotional situations on site and in the community, use of team approach to de-escalation as needed.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to solve problems and choose the best solutions.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and seeking information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying and Assessing Actions and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others while maintaining them over time.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic form.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts; or otherwise negotiating with others, including co-workers and partner agencies.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships or systems.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and advice based on knowledge and experience to co-workers and clinical team.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, and Clients - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and clients by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This communication can be in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. Triage, prioritize and respond to multiple requests based on acuity while managing team capacity.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as standing, sitting, lifting up to and occasionally 25 - 50 lbs., walking, reaching and twisting. Needs to be able to wear County issued Kevlar vest.
• Ability to ride for extended periods of time in law enforcement vehicle.
• Exposure to Environmental Hazards- May be exposed to various conditions specific to each home including stairs, pets, allergens, odors, alcohol or drug paraphernalia, weapons, and/or various other environmental elements.
• Exposure to Physical Hazards - The work of the Sheriff's Office is inherently dangerous and there is potential that the person in this position could be killed, injured or suffer damage to their personal property. A separate letter from the Sheriff's office explaining these risks will be included with any offer of employment.
• Other Physical Hazards include: Being in Law Enforcement Vehicle while it is being driven at high speeds; responding to potentially volatile circumstances, including individuals who are aggressive and agitated. Individual needs to be able to run.

Qualifications:

• Strong assessment, decision-making and interpersonal skills are absolute necessities for this position.
• 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 Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or a Mental Health related field.
• Valid and active QMHP credential certification through MHACBO or a valid and active status (licensed or registered intern) with an approved Oregon licensing board.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct an mental health crisis 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 working relationships and conducting a mental status examination; complete a five-axis DSM diagnosis; work with the individual to create a safety plan and provide appropriate referrals to address chemical dependency and/or mental health concerns.
• More than 1 year of experience preferred in a broad range of clinical interventions and mental health assessments with children and families or individual with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively on a highly interdependent team, necessary skill sets include initiative, dependability, flexibility and strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain case management in accordance with federal, state and/or funding source requirements as well as LifeWorks NW policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of community resources and treatment agencies enabling appropriate referrals for specific client needs.
• Knowledge of medications commonly used by client population.
• Good computer skills including a functional knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and Word. Ability to master proprietary software including electronic health record system. This includes the ability to enter data and retrieve data and to prepare simple reports.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills and maintains a cooperative working relationship with others in a culturally diverse environment.
• Requires valid driver's license and verification of safe driving record from DMV.
• Ability to perform essential functions of job without creating a direct threat to the safety of self or others.
• Must pass DHS background check and Washington County Sheriff's Office background check.

Work Conditions:

• Clinician is co-located with a Deputy of Officer in a law enforcement vehicle.
• Clinician responds to 911 and other high priority crisis calls from a law enforcement vehicle, this frequently involves individuals who are suicidal, homicidal or experiencing severe behavioral health symptoms.
• Clinician wears body armor as a precaution in this role
• Exposure to Environmental Hazards- May be exposed to various conditions specific to each home including stairs, pets, allergens, odors, alcohol or drug paraphernalia, and/or various other environmental elements.
• Exposure to Physical Hazards - The work of the Sheriff's Office is inherently dangerous and there is potential that the person in this position could be killed, injured or suffer damage to their personal property. A separate letter from the Sheriff's office explaining these risks will be included with any offer of employment.
• Other Physical Hazards include: Being in Law Enforcement Vehicle while it is being driven at high speeds; responding to potentially volatile circumstances, including individuals who are aggressive and agitated. Individual needs to be able to run. Can involve being present during other law enforcement related calls.
• Clinician and Law enforcement officer partner will at times be dispatched to calls such as CPR in progress.
• There is high potential for being exposed to traumatic events including loss of life.
• Schedule involves working swing shift and or weekends (often both)
• May require working extended hours.
• Some holidays are required (shared with co-workers)
• Responds to clients who are not known to us and in crisis.
• Each shift is unpredictable, due to responding to calls that come through dispatch.
• Duties are performed indoors and outdoors.
• Exposure to natural weather conditions, which may be severe while performing outdoor duties.
• May work in hazardous or unpleasant conditions.
• As part of crisis and safety net services, our programs are considered essential services and continue to operate when other programs and agencies might be closed, such as during inclement weather or other hazardous conditions, like poor air quality.

Work is in person. Not eligible for agency alternative work arrangements.

This is a represented position.

LifeWorks NW is a private, non-profit organization providing prevention, mental health, substance use treatment, and related social services to youths, adults, and older adults in over fifteen locations throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. LifeWorks NW promotes a healthy community by providing quality and culturally responsive mental health and addiction services across the lifespan.

Our core values-Recovery and Relationships, Resilience, and Results-inform the work we do. The four pillars of the strategic vision include Compassionate, Impactful Care, Holistic Health, Passionate Team, and Thriving Organization. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are critical to successfully achieving the mission. We know that "life works" when people get the help they need and are dedicated to changing lives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

www.lifeworksnw.org

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