Mental Health Specialist I - Community Based Team

Community Counseling Solutions; Pendleton (OR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

6% initial 401K match

Tuition reimbursement

Generous paid vacation

Student loan forgiveness

Paid licensure supervision

Employee Assistance & Wellness Benefits

Job summary

Community Counseling Solutions is seeking a Mental Health Specialist I for its Community Based Team in Pendleton, Oregon. This 40-hour per week role focuses on providing culturally competent behavioral health treatment. The position includes a range of responsibilities such as coordinating mental health services and working closely with clients and community agencies. A hiring bonus of $5,500 is available, along with comprehensive benefits, making it an attractive opportunity for qualified candidates in the field.

Qualifications

• Must possess knowledge of symptoms faced by people with mental illness.
• Ability to build flexible schedules that work with clients.
• Experience collaborating with community resources.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates mental health services with outside agencies.
• Facilitates communication between family and treatment providers.
• Provides services to enhance client's clinical treatment.

Skills

Ability to communicate effectively

Knowledge of mental health challenges

Experience with electronic medical records

Bilingual/multilingual skills

Education

BA degree in social work or related field

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

Description

Job Title: Mental Health Specialist I – Community Based Team

Location: Pendleton

Supervisor: Clinical Supervisor, Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt 1.0 FTE (Expectation to work 40 hours per week) 8am-5pm Mon-Fri

Pay Grade: B8 ($24.95 - $35.96 hourly, depending on experience)

Eligible for $5,500 Hiring Bonus! (Paid out in 2 staggered payments, bonus-taxed - 2 year Commitment)

Community Counseling Solutions provides a team-based Servant Leadership environment! Our mission is to provide dynamic, progressive, and diverse supports to improve the well-being of our communities and we’re looking for motivated employees to help us continue our vision!

Apply Directly at https://ccswebsite.org/employment/

CCS has a benefit package including, but not limited to:

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• 6% initial 401K match
• Potential for tuition reimbursement
• Generous paid vacation, floating holiday, community service day, mental health days, paid holidays, etc.
• Student loan forgiveness (NHSC & Public Service)
• Paid licensure supervision.
• Employee Assistance & Wellness Benefits

Summary

The position provides culturally competent and appropriate behavioral health treatment in accordance with the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR’s) and the mission and values of CCS. The position works closely with other involved community partners and is professional in all aspects of service delivery. Additionally, this position assists administration in meeting the behavioral health needs of the community. This position will function as the Coordinator & QMHA for the Umatilla County Community-based team, which focuses on providing services and support to clients who require services outside of the traditional outpatient setting. The goal is to either 1) prevent a client’s need for a higher level of care or removal from primary placement, or 2) assist with reintegration back to primary placement after removal or higher level of care.

Supervision

Depending upon location, this position is supervised by the Clinical Supervisor, Clinical Director or Clinical Manager.

Supervision Exercised: This position does not supervise other employees.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job:

• Coordinates mental health services with outside agencies, including placement agencies, Developmental Disability services, and educational services.
• Assists referrers with the collection of information for referral packets and serves as the point of contact for submission of information.
• Organizes and facilitates Community Resource Team (CRT) meetings that identify the strengths and needs of children and families.
• Facilitates communication between the family, treatment providers, natural supports, community resources, and involved child-serving providers and agencies.
• Provides services to enhance client’s clinical treatment in the community, school, in-home or desired location of the family, including teaching and practicing life and problem-solving skills with client and/or families, according to their Service Plan.
• Performs joint case planning and coordination in areas of behavioral health with other community agencies including schools, group homes, police organizations, district attorney’s offices, courts, community clinics and hospitals, and other agencies in the Department of Human Services.
• Assists treatment team with maintaining data tracking and required documentation for fidelity programs.
• Provides behavioral health and addiction education, prevention and information to various interest groups.
• Promotes safety and assesses risks associated with behaviors and activities in the community in collaboration with the Community Based team.
• Provides crisis support to youth and family utilizing de-escalation techniques, following and making necessary changes to the safety plan by collaborating with the Community Based Team.
• Observes and provides information to the clinical team about the social functioning and skill development of the individual.
• Promotes individuals’ equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities.
• Acts as a liaison between clients and other agencies and as a client advocate when appropriate.
• Actively participates in group and individual supervision sessions.
• Works with other staff and community representatives to initiate new programs, review, evaluate, and revise existing programs as necessary.
• Completes all paperwork in a professional, clinically sound and timely manner as prescribed by the OAR’s and other pertinent guidelines, ensuring all paperwork is present and the client record is well maintained. Utilizes agency software/computer systems to prepare current client records of treatment and reports as necessary and required.
• Attends trainings, meetings, conferences, etc. as directed by administration and uses the information gathered to benefit the agency and the customers.
• Assists other team members in the facilitation of groups as requested.
• Transports clients as required.
• Reports all abuse to appropriate legal office, completes all necessary paperwork and investigations, and develops safety plans as required.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must possess, or have the ability to acquire, knowledge of symptoms and challenges faced by people with mental illness and addictions and knowledge of relevant OAR’s.
• Must have the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing and to work independently, completing all assigned tasks in a thorough and timely fashion.
• Ability to build a flexible schedule that works with client/parent/school availability.
• Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based practices, including group skills, one-on-one skills, and community/parent skills.
• Experience with electronic medical records and telemedicine is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of cultural and family issues that can contribute to CCS’ development of clinically relevant and effective care.
• Bilingual/multilingual a plus.
• Ability to operate computers, copy machines, faxes, and scanners.
• The position requires the handling of highly confidential information and adherence to client confidentiality laws and rules.
• Must be able to work professionally with the public and coordinate services across various agencies and community groups.
• Must be able to develop cooperative and respectful relationships with clients and their families.

Minimum Requirements

Education and/or Experience

This is an entry level professional position with a BA degree in social work, behavioral health or a related field. Three years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience working with individuals with high ACE’s scores, severe or persistent mental illness, or alcohol and drug dependency is required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must be able to obtain QMHA within the first 30 days of employment.
• Valid driver’s license and appropriate state licensure/certification.
• Must pass a drug test and criminal background check.

Criminal Background Checks

Must pass all criminal history check requirements as required by ORS 181.536-181.537 and in accordance with OAR 410-007-0200 through 410-007-0380. In addition to a pre‑employment background check, each employee, volunteer and contractor shall be checked on a monthly basis against the OIG and GSA exclusion lists, as well as other federal and state agency lists. If it is discovered that an employee, volunteer or contractor is excluded or sanctioned it will be the cause for immediate termination of employment, volunteering, or the termination of the contract.

Pre‑Hire Drug Screening

Personal Auto Insurance

Must hold a valid driver’s license as well as personal auto insurance for privately owned vehicles utilized for CCS business such as client service purposes, travel between business offices and the community, and to attend required meetings and trainings. Must show proof of $300,000 or more liability coverage for bodily injury and $100,000 property damage and maintain said level of coverage for the duration of employment at CCS. The employee’s insurance is primary with CCS insurance being secondary. CCS reserves the right to deny any employee the use of a vehicle owned by CCS.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the job. The employee is frequently required to sit, walk, or stand; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and be able to talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Some individuals in this position may be required to drive long distances routinely as part of their regular job duties. Occasional out-of-area travel and overnight stays will be required for attendance at meetings and trainings.

Schedule will include working after 5 pm and/or weekend shifts to accommodate the needs of the youth and family. The employee will also be required to work in the communities, homes and other living environments of the clients we serve. Handicap access may not be available at all places where this position must go. In some situations, this position may be required to respond to environments where a client is in crisis. The environments in these situations are difficult to predict and may be on uneven terrain. This position exposes the employee to everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as an office.

• Hazardous Conditions: Risk of verbal and physical threats from clients. Use of keyboard and computer monitor (repetitive hand motions and potential eye strain). Possible exposure to airborne pathogens.
• Working Conditions: The noise level in the work environment is mild to moderate; 40% office-based, 60% field.
• Equipment / Materials Used: Common office machines including computer, printer, calculator, telephone equipment, telehealth system, copier, scanner, and facsimile. May drive personal or agency vehicle.

Community Counseling Solutions

IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

MEMBER OF NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION