Community Counselor III (Intensive Case Management)

Location: Plaza Health Center in SE Portland, OR

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

About the Role

Cascadia’s Intensive Case Management (ICM) is a community-based, interdisciplinary team that provides flexible services tailored to each person’s changing needs and personal recovery goals. The length of services depends on each participant’s level of need and engagement. The team consists of community counselors, skills trainers, and peer providers, and is expanding to collaborate with medical staff for a fully integrated approach.

ICM serves individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) who benefit more from community-based services than traditional clinic-based care. The goal is to meet participants where they are, supporting their recovery journey, often using integrated dual disorder treatment.

Responsibilities

• Complete and implement mental health assessments and Individual Service Plans.
• Apply knowledge of accepted treatment practices and implement treatment plans.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment plans and recommend alternate strategies as necessary.
• Assess client behavior and diagnose mental health disorders.
• Complete Strengths Assessment covering six life domains: independent living, vocational/educational, financial/insurance, social supports, health, and leisure/recreational.
• Use the Strengths Assessment to set initial long-term goals and develop the Individualized Support and Services Plan.
• Guide clients in setting their own goals and identifying realistic steps to achieve them.
• Utilize naturally occurring resources to assist clients in achieving goals; explore formal mental health services only when necessary.
• Provide strengths-based counseling focused on minimizing illness and maximizing client’s strengths.
• Document and maintain electronic health records (EHR) in compliance with agency policies and regulations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation for billing, assessment, treatment, and progress.
• Work with internal and external partners to ensure clients receive optimal treatment.
• Advocate for clients when difficulties arise in obtaining needed services.
• Work cooperatively in a team setting to coordinate continuity of care.
• Provide input into operational procedures and adhere to departmental rules and company policies.
• Understand and abide by federal regulations (42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA) for client confidentiality.
• Respect and honor client rights and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Assist in crisis situations using trauma-informed interventions and coordinate with the treatment team.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of clients, staff, and property; follow fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Complete annual training requirements as indicated by licensing and agency requirements.
• Attend seminars, training, and educational opportunities to develop professional skills.
• Remain flexible and seek clinical support when needed.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental meetings.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrate competencies to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) per Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR).
• CADC credential preferred, given the high occurrence of substance use/abuse.
• Clinical experience providing inpatient or outpatient services preferred.
• Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license, three-year driving history, clean driving record, and ability to pass DMV check.
• Access to reliable transportation.

Skills

• Able to conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate a diagnosis according to the most current DSM.
• Understand recovery model, motivational interviewing, illness management, and recovery.
• Thorough knowledge of evidence-based practices and strength-based case management philosophies.
• Operate computer hardware and software effectively for data entry and retrieval.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in the community, clinical office, and acute care settings.
• Majority of work during regular business hours, with potential early evening extensions for client needs or events.
• Comfortable working in various Portland neighborhoods and client home environments.
• Provided with a company cell phone and electronic notepad for clinical records access and documentation.
• Daily routines may be hectic, requiring flexibility and occasional performance of other employees’ tasks.
• Meal periods and breaks may be subject to interruption.
• Must follow Universal Precautions and remain alert to potential for violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise, and contaminants.

Mental Demands

• Work involves addressing new and unusual circumstances with outcomes that may affect costs, employee morale, or clients.
• Regularly involves unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks, requiring flexible time management.

Physical Demands

• Ability to assist the team in providing safety in potentially volatile situations.
• Support community integration and assist residents in growth for successful independent living.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off: 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 Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with up to 8% employer matching contribution).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options for medical, dependent care, and transportation.
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance.
• Paid Bereavement and Jury Duty Leave.
• Length of Service Award.
• Voluntary Life Insurance and Supplemental Insurance.
• Student loan forgiveness options.

Wellness Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Bike to Work Reimbursement.
• Discounted Fitness Memberships.
• Trauma Support Team.

Pay

Starting rate range: $70,331.30 - $75,355.73 USD.