Mobile Counselor III (Multnomah County Libraries)

Cascadia Health; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 103,728,000 - 111,091,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical & Dental Coverage

Vision Discount Plan

403(b) Retirement Plan

FSA

Job summary

Cascadia Health is seeking a Mobile Counselor III to provide immediate mobile crisis response and risk assessment in Multnomah County, with travel to libraries across the area. Based at the Multnomah County Central Library, you will triage calls, coordinate crisis responses, and connect clients to services in a trauma‑informed, strengths‑based framework.

The role requires collaboration with law enforcement, hospitals, and community partners, and adherence to HIPAA and safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Provide immediate mobile response to individuals experiencing mental health crises in Multnomah County.
• Triage mental health crisis calls as they come into the office from the Multnomah County Call Center and law enforcement agencies.
• Identify and assess risk factors for harm to self or others in the context of the client’s current psycho-social state via interview with client and with consideration given to collateral information; consider and articulate potential outcomes of various interventions, discuss their risks and benefits, and formulate why a particular course of action was pursued in lieu of other options; opt for least intrusive and most supportive intervention.
• Coordinate responses to crisis situations with community agencies and service providers.
• Provide assessment dispositions to treatment providers and emergency departments as appropriate.
• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to determine risk of intervention and develop plans for approach of clients in crises.
• Provide information and facilitate linkage to mental health treatment and other social services.
• Consult with teammates, supervisors, program managers, and program medical directors as appropriate.
• Operate in a sometimes ambiguous and frequently changing work environment.
• Respect client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff and property; possess familiarity with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated in the licensing requirements for the facility as well as agency requirements. Attend seminars, training and other educational opportunities in order to develop professional skills and abilities.
• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job description

Job Overview

Monday, Thursday & Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Location/Schedule

This position will be based at the Multnomah County Central Library for the purpose of providing crisis intervention services for members of the public who are experiencing mental health symptoms. There will be an expectation of travel to other libraries within the Multnomah County library system. The Project Respond Team's home base is at the Kerns Building, NE Portland.

• Monday, Thursday & Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
• Tuesday & Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Position

Mobile Counselor III

Program

Project Respond

Cascadia's Mission And Vision

Mission

Cascadia Health delivers whole health care – integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing – to promote hope and support the well-being of the communities we serve.

Vision

We envision a community where everyone benefits from whole health care, experiences well-being, and has a self-directed, connected life.

Position Description

The Mobile Counselor III provides immediate mobile crisis response, risk assessment, and crisis stabilization for adults and children in Multnomah County. This role, grounded in a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach, involves collaborating with mental health and physical health care providers, police agencies, emergency departments, schools, and social service organizations to ensure the best possible treatment for clients. Responsibilities include triaging mental health crisis calls, assessing risk, coordinating crisis responses, initiating involuntary holds as needed, and facilitating connections to mental health services. The Mobile Counselor III also documents interactions and ensures compliance with agency and regulatory standards.

Essential Responsibilities

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities or an all inclusive job description.

• Provide immediate mobile response to individuals experiencing mental health crises in Multnomah County.
• Triage mental health crisis calls as they come into the office from the Multnomah County Call Center and law enforcement agencies.
• Identify and assess risk factors for harm to self or others in the context of the client’s current psycho-social state via interview with client and with consideration given to collateral information; consider and articulate potential outcomes of various interventions, discuss their risks and benefits, and formulate why a particular course of action was pursued in lieu of other options; opt for least intrusive and most supportive intervention.
• Initiate involuntary transport holds for individuals deemed at risk of harm to self and/or others following County guidelines.
• Coordinate responses to crisis situations with community agencies and service providers.
• Provide assessment dispositions to treatment providers and emergency departments as appropriate.
• Assess for personal safety in the environment and request law enforcement support as appropriate.
• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to determine risk of intervention and develop plans for approach of clients in crises.
• Provide information and facilitate linkage to mental health treatment and other social services.
• Consult with teammates, supervisors, program managers, and program medical directors as appropriate.
• Operate in a sometimes ambiguous and frequently changing work environment.
• Respect client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff and property; possess familiarity with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated in the licensing requirements for the facility as well as agency requirements. Attend seminars, training and other educational opportunities in order to develop professional skills and abilities.
• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university. Demonstrate the competencies to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR).

Experience

• Equivalent combination of education/experience preferably in a non-profit organization preferred

Specialized Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate a diagnosis according to the most current DSM
• Advanced knowledge of risk assessment and crisis intervention
• Understand evidence-based practices, and strength-based case management philosophies and strategies including trauma informed care
• Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions including the ability to operate Electronic Health Record software

Other

• The Project Respond Clinician must have the ability to work a flexible work schedule as the Project Respond program operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in the community setting including client residences, schools, police precincts, shelters, residential facilities, and public spaces. Meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise and contaminants.

Mental Demands

The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances in which outcomes may negatively affect clients, community and/or employee mental health. The nature of the work dictates that the employee is alert and attentive during their assigned shift. The Mobile Counselor III must have the ability to quickly assess and respond to concerns related to interpersonal and environmental safety. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.

Physical Demands

The Mobile Counselor III must work collaboratively with partner to minimize risk to self and clients and, when necessary, quickly and accurately communicate with police agencies in emergent situations.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 503.963.7654.

This position is represented by a labor union.

Employees are responsible for obtaining and maintaining all licenses, certifications, registrations, and other credentials required for their position. Required credentials must remain active and in good standing as a condition of employment. Candidates are encouraged to familiarize themselves with any applicable credentialing requirements, including associated fees and renewal or maintenance obligations, prior to applying.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off Package - Full-time employees earn 6 weeks of PTO in their first year!
• Medical and Dental Coverage (begins 1st of the month following hire date)
• VSP Vision Discount Plan
• 403(b) Retirement Plan - Eligible after 60 days with immediate 100% vesting and a 1-to-1 company match up to 3% per pay period, plus the opportunity for an additional discretionary contribution (up to 5%) at the end of the fiscal year.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Medical, dependent care, and transportation options)
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Paid Bereavement and Jury Duty Leave
• Length of Service Award
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Student loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bike to Work Reimbursement

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

$36.20 - $38.77