Mental Health Counselor / Case Manager for the Deaf

Northwest Human Services, Inc; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Flex spending account

PTO

Job summary

Northwest Human Services, Inc. seeks a compassionate Mental Health Counselor/Case Manager for the Deaf in West Salem.

Provide direct ASL-based behavioral health services within the Connection Program, integrating counseling, advocacy, and care coordination for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind clients. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive care and help clients achieve recovery and improved functioning in a supportive, accessible

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, or another related mental health field.
• Current Oregon clinical licensure as an LCSW, LPC, or LMFT.
• Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) to provide behavioral health services directly to clients without reliance on an interpreter.
• Ability to collaborate with interpreters or other communication professionals when needed.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Deaf culture, Deaf identity, and diverse Deaf community experiences.
• Clinical experience in mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Experience with mental health, co-occurring, and/or substance use concerns.
• Current BLS certification or ability to obtain.
• Flexible hours as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health counseling directly in ASL for individuals, couples, families, and groups.
• Assess mental health and co-occurring needs; develop treatment plans with measurable goals.
• Offer case management, advocacy, and care coordination; connect clients to health and social resources.
• Collaborate with medical and behavioral health teams to support whole-person care; participate in trainings and supervision.

Skills

ASL proficiency

Trauma-informed care

Cultural competence

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Effective communication

Education

Master's degree or higher in Counseling / Social Work / MFT / Rehabilitation Counseling

Job description

Location: West Salem Clinic – Mental Health
Program: Connection
Employment Status: Full Time – 1.0 FTE 40 hrs./wk. – Monday through Friday

Provide Care Without Communication Barriers

Are you a mental health professional who believes truly accessible care goes beyond providing an interpreter?

Northwest Human Services is seeking a compassionate, culturally responsive Mental Health Counselor/Case Manager for the Deaf to provide behavioral health services to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals through our Connection Program.

In this role, you'll combine clinical counseling, advocacy, case management, and care coordination while providing services directly in American Sign Language (ASL). You'll work alongside medical providers, behavioral health professionals, and community partners to deliver trauma-informed, person-centered care that recognizes Deaf culture, Deaf identity, and the unique barriers experienced by the individuals we serve.

If you're passionate about mental health, fluent in ASL, and committed to making behavioral healthcare more accessible and equitable, we want to meet you.

What You'll Do

Provide Accessible, Culturally Responsive Care

• Provide mental health counseling to individuals, couples, families, and groups directly in ASL.
• Deliver culturally responsive, trauma-informed care grounded in an understanding of Deaf culture, Deaf identity, and the experiences of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals.
• Help clients build on their strengths, support recovery, improve functioning, and promote overall wellness.

Assess, Treat & Support Recovery

• Assess mental health, co-occurring disorder, and other behavioral health needs.
• Develop clinical impressions, treatment recommendations, and individualized treatment plans with measurable goals.
• Provide counseling and therapeutic interventions aligned with client needs and treatment goals.
• Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with professional, regulatory, and agency standards.

Connect Clients to Resources

• Provide case management, advocacy, and care coordination.
• Connect clients with healthcare, behavioral health, social services, employment resources, and other community supports.
• Help clients navigate accessibility and systemic barriers that may impact their health, independence, and well-being.

Collaborate for Whole-Person Care

• Partner with medical providers, behavioral health professionals, and community organizations to support coordinated, integrated care.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, continuing education, and professional development.
• Provide clinical supervision, training, and support to students, interns, and volunteers as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional and ethical standards while meeting established productivity expectations.

What Makes You Successful

• A skilled communicator who can connect directly with clients in ASL.
• A culturally responsive clinician who understands and respects Deaf culture, Deaf identity, and diverse experiences within the Deaf community.
• A compassionate advocate who helps clients overcome barriers and navigate complex systems.
• A collaborative partner who works across behavioral health, medical care, and community services to support the whole person.
• A trauma-informed professional who approaches clients with respect, empathy, and an understanding of their individual experiences.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, or another related mental health field.
• Current Oregon clinical licensure as an LCSW, LPC, or LMFT.
• Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) to provide behavioral health services directly to clients without reliance on an interpreter. Familiarity with Protactile ASL and experience working with DeafBlind clients is preferred.
• Must be able to collaborate with interpreters or other communication professionals when requested by clients or when needed to support effective communication.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Deaf culture, Deaf identity, and the diverse experiences of the Deaf community.
• Clinical experience providing mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and counseling services.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health, co-occurring, and/or substance use concerns.
• Current BLS certification consistent with American Heart Association guidelines, or ability to obtain as required.
• Ability to work flexible hours as required by the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing behavioral health services within Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and/or DeafBlind communities.
• Experience providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive behavioral health services.
• Experience working within integrated healthcare or multidisciplinary behavioral health settings.

Why NWHS?

Everyone deserves mental healthcare they can fully access, understand, and trust.

Through our Connection Program, you'll help remove barriers that too often prevent Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals from receiving meaningful behavioral healthcare. You'll build trusted relationships, provide counseling directly in ASL, advocate alongside clients, and connect people with resources that support their health and quality of life.

At NWHS, you'll be part of an integrated healthcare team committed to compassionate, culturally responsive care that recognizes the connection between mental health, physical health, communication, and community.

Join us in creating behavioral healthcare where communication is never a barrier to connection. Apply today and use your clinical expertise, ASL skills, and understanding of Deaf culture to make a meaningful difference.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Healthcare insurance plans: Medical, Dental, Vision

• Group Life: Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 100% paid by employer
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% of employer contribution and up to 3% employer match
• Flex Spending Account
• PTO - 10 hours a month for FT positions 40 hrs./wk. up to 20 hours monthly as your tenure grows
• 7/12 Paid Holidays a year + 2 paid floating holidays for full-time positions
• Continuing Education & Training Benefits
• Employee Healthy Living Program – Gym Membership & Smoking Cessation

Northwest Human Services sites are eligible for various Provider Incentive Programs through the Oregon Office of Rural Health and National Health Service Corps loan repayment and scholar programs as well as the Rural Practitioner Tax Cred. For more information check out the Office of Rural Health, National health Service Corps, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness websites. NWHS sites have a Primary Care HPSA Score of 18, Dental score of 19, and a Mental Health score of 22.

All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to undergo a criminal records check.

Equal Opportunity Employer | We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.