Mental Health Therapist-Mental Health Response Team #155 at LifeWorks Northwest – Hillsboro, Oregon

The Mental Health Therapist providesmobile crisis response in collaboration with a representative from lawenforcement to people with behavioral health concerns. Clinician is co-locatedwith a Deputy or an Officer from a partner law enforcement agency in a lawenforcement vehicle. Provides crisisintervention to people across the lifespan, including adults, children andfamilies. Triages crisis calls, conducts mental health risk assessments,provides crisis intervention, develops short-term client centered stabilizationplans, assists with resource linkage, and initiates involuntary transport tothe emergency department (Director's Custody Hold) when indicated for safetyreasons.

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

Days/Hours: Sunday-Tuesday 1:00 pm-11:00 pm

Pay/Benefits: $36.73 starting hourly pay, with pro-rated comprehensive benefits.

Additional shift differential:

$7.50 per hour for Mon & Tues after 5pm

$7.50 per hour for Sun before 5pm and $15 per hour after 5 pm

Essential Responsibilities:

• Respondsto emergency situations involving people experiencing behavioral health crisis.
• Provideson-site, community-based mental health assessments and crisis intervention asappropriate.
• Performsclinical evaluations and risk assessments. Formulates a diagnosis and developsa short term stabilization or safety plan to relieve the present mental healthcrisis and to provide a stable environment for clients. Notifies client andsignificant other(s) of clinical impressions and initial recommendations.Completes written narrative of evaluation and obtains necessary releases.
• Providesfollow up contact as developed in the stabilization or safety plan.
• Preparesmental health evaluations and reports for all client contacts. Maintains clearand concise records. Maintains case files that includeactivities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations according toconfidentiality guidelines. Completes documentation in an electronic health recordssystem in a timely basis. Completes time andattendance forms.
• Providesconsultation and training to staff, caregivers, families, and communityorganizations regarding mental health issues, addiction and behavior managementas it relates to clients.
• Mustfollow the directions of the law enforcement officer to which they are assignedin regard to safety and security issues.
• Assistsstaff members by helping to resolve difficult emergency situations and servesas back-up for other staff when needed.
• Maintainsawareness of community referral resources. Helps to build positiverelationships with other community providers and provides coordination and appropriatereferral services.
• Identifies situations involving domesticabuse or other family problems affecting clients' development and determineswhether clients should be counseled or referred to other specialists. Followsthrough with mandatory reporting duties.
• Ensuresthat all necessary equipment for crisis response is always ready.
• Alwaysmaintains professional presentation in the community and responds to allsituations / calls with a customer service attitude.
• UseFeedback-Informed Treatment service delivery approach to obtain and reviewfeedback from clients regarding the fit and effectiveness of the servicesprovided to them
• Participatesin briefings with the Sheriff's Office and maintains confidentiality ofinformation discussed according to both LWNW and Sheriff's Office standards.
• Requiressome evening and weekend shifts.
• Travelsbetween sites and in the community.

Qualifications:

• Strong assessment, decision-making andinterpersonal skills are absolute necessities for this position
• Thisposition requires a valid and active QMHP credential certification throughMHACBO or a valid and active status (licensed or registered intern) with anapproved Oregon licensing board.
• Master'sdegree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or a Mental Health related field.
• Valid and active QMHP credential certificationthrough MHACBO or a valid and active status (licensed or registered intern)with an approved Oregon licensing board.
• Demonstratedability to conduct an mental health crisis assessment, including identifyingprecipitating events, gathering histories of mental and physical health,alcohol and other drug use, past mental health services and criminal justicecontacts, assessing family, social and working relationships and conducting amental status examination; complete a five-axis DSM diagnosis; work with theindividual to create a safety plan and provide appropriate referrals to addresschemical dependency and/or mental health concerns.
• Morethan 1 year of experience preferred in a broad range of clinical interventionsand mental health assessments with children and families or individual withsevere and persistent mental illness.
• Demonstratedability to work effectively on a highly interdependent team, necessary skillsets include: initiative, dependability, flexibility and strong organizationalskills.
• Demonstratedability to maintain case management in accordance with federal, state and/orfunding source requirements as well as LifeWorks NW policies and procedures.
• Knowledgeof community resources and treatment agencies enabling appropriate referralsfor specific client needs.
• Knowledgeof medications commonly used by client population.
• Goodcomputer skills including a functional knowledge of Microsoft Outlook andWord. Ability to master proprietary software including electronic healthrecord system. This includes the ability to enter data and retrieve data and toprepare simple reports.
• Demonstrateseffective communication skills and maintains a cooperative working relationshipwith others in a culturally diverse environment.
• Requiresvalid driver's license and verification of safe driving record from DMV.
  
• Must pass DHS background check and WashingtonCounty Sheriff's Office background check.
  

WorkConditions:

• Clinician is co-located with a Deputy of Officerin a law enforcement vehicle
• Clinician responds to 911 and other highpriority crisis calls from a law enforcement vehicle, this frequently involvesindividuals who are suicidal, homicidal or experiencing severe behavioralhealth symptoms.
• Clinician wears body armor as a precaution inthis role
• Exposure to EnvironmentalHazards- May be exposed to various conditions specificto each home including stairs, pets, allergens, odors, alcohol or drugparaphernalia, and/or various other environmental elements.
• Exposure to Physical Hazards - The work of the Sheriff's Office is inherently dangerous and there ispotential that the person in this position could be killed, injured or sufferdamage to their personal property. Aseparate letter from the Sheriff's office explaining these risks will beincluded with any offer of employment.
• Other Physical Hazardsinclude: Beingin Law Enforcement Vehicle while it is being driven at high speeds; respondingto potentially volatile circumstances, including individuals who are aggressiveand agitated. Individual needs to beable to run. Can involve being presentduring other law enforcement related calls.
• Clinician and Law enforcement officer partnerwill at times be dispatched to calls such as CPR in progress.
• There is high potential for being exposed totraumatic events including loss of life.
• Schedule involves working swing shift and orweekends (often both)
• May require working extended hours.
• Some holidays are required (shared withco-workers)
• Responds to clients who are not known to us andin crisis.
• Each shift is unpredictable, due to respondingto calls that come through dispatch.
• Duties are performed indoors and outdoors.
• Exposure to natural weather conditions, whichmay be severe while performing outdoor duties.
• May work in hazardous or unpleasant conditions.
• As part of crisis and safety net services, ourprograms are considered essential services and continue to operate when otherprograms and agencies might be closed, such as during inclement weather orother 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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