Mental Health Associate

Lane County, OR; Oregon; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Lane County Behavioral Health seeks a Qualified Mental Health Associate/Family Support Specialist to join mobile crisis and MRSS programs. You will work in two-person teams on crisis calls, provide family engagement, crisis de-escalation, safety planning, and intensive case management for youth and families post-crisis.

You will operate within a multidisciplinary team and support treatment planning while ensuring accurate records and inter-team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited university with major course work in a mental health field, psychology, sociology or a related field.
• QMHA Certification through MHACBO is required.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one year of hire, Family Support Specialist status on the Oregon registry.
• NPI should reflect Oregon address by time of hire.
• Transcripts must be provided.
• Diploma (copy of original)
• CV or Resume

Responsibilities

• Provide family engagement and emotional support
• Crisis support and de-escalation
• Safety planning with families and youth
• Resource navigation and advocacy
• Parent and youth skill building and coaching
• Intensive case management to connect families and youth to needed resources
• Help parents engage in treatment planning and decision-making
• Provide consistent follow-up and communication based on family needs
• Collaborate with the MRSS team to maintain accurate records

Skills

Crisis intervention

Family engagement

Safety planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral science

QMHA Certification through MHACBO

Family Support Specialist registration (OHA THW Registry)

NPI reflects Oregon address

Transcripts

Diploma

CV or Resume

Job description

About the Position

Lane County Behavioral Health is looking for a dynamic Qualified Mental Health Associate/Family Support Specialist (FSS) to join our team. This position works conjointly as mobile crisis service responder for our Mobile Crisis Service program (MCS) and as a case manager for the Mobile Response Stabilization Services (MRSS) program. MRSS is a program new to that County that was created to connect youth and families to mental health services and to provide stabilization after they’ve experienced a mental health crisis. This position will work directly with youth and families that have recently utilized Mobile Crisis Services in addition to responding in two-person teams to crisis calls across Lane County.

Primary duties of this position include:

• Provide family engagement and emotional support
• Crisis support and de-escalation
• Safety planning with families and youth
• Resource navigation and advocacy
• Parent and youth skill building and coaching
• Intensive case management to help families and youth connected to needed resources
• Help parents/caregivers engage in treatment planning and decision-making
• Provide consistent follow-up and communication based on family needs
• Ensure accurate records are kept and collaborate with the MRSS team

This position works in a multi-disciplinary team that includes a Qualified Mental Health Professional and a Child Psychiatrist. This program provides up to 56 days of additional support for families and youth after crisis interventions have been offered. Lane County Behavioral Health is looking for dedicated individuals who are focused on solutions, with a passion to serve and who are driven to connect.

About the Division

Lane County Behavioral Health provides services to more than 1,600 individuals with behavioral health conditions. We work with community partners to provide a continuum of care from prevention through treatment and aftercare in an environment that promotes a culture of resilience and recovery.

*Lane County employees may be eligible for student loan repayment: See links below.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• National Health Service Corps

Find out from Lane County employees how it is to work for the Behavioral Health division.

Schedule

Schedule will be four 10-hour shifts Wednesday - Saturday 2:00pm - 12:00AM. The initial training will include three weeks of training 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This program may include overtime, and/or non-traditional work hours including nights and weekends, and some holidays. These positions include community-based work and related travel for routine job tasks.

*This is an AFSCME represented position*

Training

• Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited university with major course work in a mental health field, psychology, sociology or a related field.

Experience

• At least one year of work experience working directly with mentally or emotionally disturbed clients, and a combination of education, training and/or work experience in a behavioral sciences field that totals two additional years, plus the required competencies.
• A combination of at least three year's relevant work, education, training or experience, AND have the competencies necessary to a) communicate effectively, b) understand mental health assessment treatment and service terminology and to apply the concepts, and c) provide psychosocial skills development and to implement interventions prescribed on a treatment plan within their scope of practice, is qualifying.

Special Requirements

• QMHA Certification through MHACBO
• Possession of, or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire, the status as a Family Support Specialist on the Oregon Health authority Traditional Health Care Worker Registry, to be maintained throughout employment. A Family Support Specialist is someone who has direct experiences in a parenting role of a child with complex mental health needs.
• NPI (downloaded copy acceptable) NPI should reflect Oregon address by time of hire
• Transcripts
• Diploma (copy of original is fine)
• CV or Resume

DRIVER’S LICENSE

Must be in possession of a valid driver's license at time of application, and a valid Oregon Driver's license by time of appointment.

Notes

• Successfully passing the ODHS ORCHARDS background check is required for this position.
• Successfully passing a mandatory CJIS FBI fingerprint-based background check is required for this position.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon consenting to, and successfully passing, a drug screening test.
• Please note that as part of the screening process Lane County will verify license and certification status.

Studies have shown that women and BIPOC individuals are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. The county will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Lane County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

Strategic Plan

In alignment with Lane County's Strategic Plan, incumbent(s) will be expected to demonstrate the following core behaviors: Passion to Serve, Driven to Connect, and Focused on Solutions.

The 2025 - 2027 Strategic Plan focuses on the areas that Lane County will pursue as a way to deliver on our vision for the residents of Lane County. To meet these challenges, we know that the basis of our efforts lies in leveraging our people and partnerships to achieve our Strategic Priorities. We also recognize that the quality and commitment of our staff is essential to a shared future where Lane County is the best place in which to live, work, and play.

Veteran Preference Information

Trauma Informed Care Statement

Lane County Health & Human Services is committed to providing Trauma Informed Care. As an organization, we recognize that many of the people we serve have experienced trauma, either currently, recently or in their past. Our agency is dedicated to incorporating an understanding of trauma, both with our clients and with each other. Our employees receive ongoing training to develop or deepen their understanding of trauma and its impacts.