Mobile Counselor III (Project Respond)

Cascadia Health; United States; On-site; USD 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental Coverage

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Cascadia Health is seeking a Mobile Counselor III to provide mobile crisis response, risk assessment, and crisis stabilization planning in Multnomah County. The role works with adults and children, collaborating with mental and physical health providers, police, schools, and social service agencies to ensure the best possible client outcomes.

The position requires a Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field, QMHP credentialing per Oregon rules, and at least one year of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field.
• QMHP credentialing per Oregon Administrative Rules.
• At least one year of experience with mental health interventions.
• Non-profit experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide mobile crisis response and risk assessment for adults and children.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and community partners.
• Document assessments and treatment dispositions in the EHR.
• Coordinate crisis responses across agencies to ensure safety.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Risk assessment

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s Degree in Behavioral Science

Job description

Job Overview

Mobile Counselor III (Project Respond) Job Overview Location/Schedule: This position is based out of Kerns building in NE Portland, but work is performed in the community setting including client residences, schools, police precincts, shelters, residential facilities, and public spaces. The schedule for this position is Wednesday - Saturday, 2:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Program

Project Respond

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 mobile crisis response, risk assessment and crisis stabilization planning for adults and children in Multnomah County. This position works as part of a team and approaches work with people from a trauma-informed, strength-based, perspective and works in concert with programs in Multnomah County’s Acute Care Continuum. This position works collaboratively with mental health and physical health care providers, police agencies, emergency departments, school personnel, and other social service agencies to assure the best possible treatment for clients, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment.

Essential 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 context 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; be familiar 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 as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).
• Experience: At least one-year working with clients providing a broad range of clinical intervention and completing mental health assessments.
• 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 Requirements

Possess a valid driver’s license, three year driving history; clean driving record, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course. This position requires the ability to drive a personal or company vehicle for the completion of work duties.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in community settings, including client residences, schools, police precincts, shelters, residential facilities, and other public locations. Meal periods and breaks may be interrupted based on client or program needs. Adherence to Universal Precautions and maintaining situational awareness are essential due to the potential for exposure to violent behavior, infectious diseases, biohazards, noise, and other environmental hazards. The Mobile Counselor III must be able to work a flexible schedule, as Project Respond operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Physical Demands

The Mobile Counselor III works collaboratively with team members to promote the safety of clients, staff, and the community. The role requires the ability to respond promptly in crisis situations, communicate effectively with law enforcement and emergency responders when necessary, and safely navigate a variety of community environments.

Mental Demands

The work is varied and requires responding to new, complex, and unpredictable situations that may significantly impact the well-being of clients, community members, and staff. The Mobile Counselor III must remain alert, attentive, and able to rapidly assess risk, make sound clinical decisions, and respond effectively to concerns involving personal and environmental safety. The position frequently requires adapting to changing priorities, interruptions, and crisis situations while maintaining effective time management and professional judgment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]

Union Representation

This position is represented by a labor union.

Benefits

Benefits We offer generous benefits for our full-time and part-time employees (20 hours + pro-rated) including:

• 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
• Discounted Fitness Memberships
• Trauma Support Team
• Starting Rate Range in USD ($) $36.20 - $38.77

About Cascadia

Cascadia Health is Oregon’s largest community-based behavioral health and substance use treatment services organization. As both a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Cascadia provides integrated mental health, substance use treatment, primary care, housing support, crisis intervention, peers wellness, skills training, and more to individuals and families. Our clients can find the care they need through one team and often in one location, regardless of their ability to pay.