Mental Health Therapist-Transition Age Youth, #522 at LifeWorks Northwest – Portland, Oregon

At LifeWorks NW, our work strengthens the health and wellbeing of individuals and families at every stage of life. Our mission is to promote a healthy community through high-quality, culturally responsive mental health, addiction, and prevention services that create real, lasting change. Guided by our values of recovery and resilience, relationships, and results, we partner closely with clients and communities to reduce stigma and build pathways to stability and hope. If you want your work to make a meaningful difference beyond the walls of an office, we invite you to join us.

TAY (Transition Age Youth) program serves youth and young adults, ages 16 to 24, during their transition into adulthood. The program works with young adults who have a significant mental illness impacting their ability to successfully function in the community and achieve normal developmental milestones. SMALL CASELOADS!

The Mental Health Therapist assesses, diagnoses,and treats transition age youth ages 15 to 25 experiencing their first onset ofpsychosis and schizophrenia spectrum illness in its initial 12 months. Provides psycho education, appropriatetreatments, and/or consultation with families, care providers, and communitypartners regarding treatment options. Works in community based and office based settings. Also offers community education to reduce thestigma of mental illness and raise awareness about psychosis.

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

Pay/Benefits: $67,863-$87,286 annual pay plus, Full benefits.

Salary Placement Notice:
The posted salary range reflects the compensation potential for this role. Most candidates will be placed between the entry level and midpoint of the range, depending on their experience and qualifications. However, more seasoned professionals with extensive exact or similar experience may be considered for placement toward the higher end of the range. Final salary offers are made in alignment with internal compensation processes in accordance with Oregon Pay Equity laws.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Responsiblefor client evaluations including initial intake interviews. Formulates diagnoses,and identifies appropriate treatment services. Notifies client and significant other(s) of diagnosis and initialrecommendations, completes written narrative of evaluation, and obtainsnecessary releases within specified timeline standards.
• Obtains and studiesmedical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewingindividuals or families and by reviewing records such as medical records orschool reports.
• Consults with parents,teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such astruancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
• Interviews clientsindividually, in families, or in groups, assessing the clients' situations,capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meettheir needs.
• Develops therapeutictreatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, strengths and needs.Treatment plans will be based upon clinical experience and knowledge, and willhave measurable goals and objectives based on the diagnosis and will specifytype, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy. Treatment plans will be clientdriven and follow-ups will be completed on time, assessing the quantity andquality of services provided.
• Conductsindividual, family and group therapy sessions based on current evidenced basedpractices e.g. collaborative problem solving, cognitive behavioralinterventions, solution focused therapy, wrap around principles, andmultisystemic treatment approaches.
• Responsiblefor case management. Coordinates/collaborateswith physicians, staff, families, caregivers, etc. May provide training to staff, caregivers,and family regarding issues of mental health, addiction and behavior managementas it relates to clients.
• Providesreferral services to clients and their families, e.g. health, mental healthservices, community supports, etc. Maintains awareness of community referral resources.
• Evaluates theeffectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness ofdiagnoses, modifying plans and diagnoses as necessary. Uses program outcome measures as assigned.
• Documentsand maintains client records to ensure compliance with agency and contractguidelines and confidentiality. Obtains pertinent records from other treatmentproviders and tracks client's involvement, follow-through and progress invaried treatment activities. Completes documentation in electronic healthrecord system.
• Identifies cases involvingfamily problems affecting clients' development and determines whether clientsshould be counseled or referred to specialists. Addresses legal issues, such asdomestic abuse.
• Acts as client advocate tocoordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisissituations. Will be available on call as assigned to program clients to includeevenings, nights. May be required towork some weekends.
• Servesas back-up for other staff when needed.
• Checkse-mail/voice mail daily/throughout the day when working responding to contactswithin same day or by the next business day for routine matter (urgent matters willrequire a more immediate response)
• Travelsbetween sites or in the community and transports clients in personal and/or LifeWorksNW vehicle.

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'sdegree in area of specialization directly related to work performed e.g.psychology, counseling, social work, etc.
• Demonstratedability 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 working relationships and conducting a mental status examination;complete a five-axis DSM diagnosis; write and supervise the implementation ofan Individual Service and Support Plan; and provide individual, family and/orgroup therapy within the scope of their training.
• Demonstratedeffective communication skills and ability to provide culturally-competenttreatment services to diverse client populations and maintains cooperativeworking relationship with others in a culturally diverse environment.
• Morethan 1 year experience in broad range of clinical interventions and mentalhealth assessment specific to children, adolescents and families.
• Demonstratedknowledge of treatment methods for individual, family and group therapy toaddress mental health needs.
• Demonstratedability to provide case management services in accordance with federal, stateand/or funding source requirements as well as LifeWorks' NW policies andprocedures.
• Knowledgeof community resources and treatment agencies enabling appropriate referralsfor specific client needs.
• Knowledgeof medications commonly used by client population.
• Requiresability to carry rotating pager for one week at a time. While carrying a pager must have ability torespond immediately to crisis calls by phone in person as needed.
• Proficientin Microsoft Outlook and Word. Ability to master proprietary softwareincluding electronic health record system required.
• Requires valid driver's license, proof of current automobile insurance coverage, verification of safe driving record from DMV, and ability to meet LWNW driving requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer

www.lifeworksnw.org

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