Mobile Counselor III (Project Respond/Child and Family)

Location: Based out of Kerns building in NE Portland; work is performed in the community setting including client residences, schools, police precincts, shelters, residential facilities, and public spaces.

About the role

The Mobile Counselor III for Child and Family 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 with a trauma-informed, strength-based perspective and collaborates with programs in Multnomah County’s Acute Care Continuum. The role involves working with mental health and physical health care providers, police agencies, emergency departments, school personnel, and other social service agencies to ensure the best possible treatment for clients while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide immediate mobile response to individuals experiencing mental health crises in Multnomah County.
• Triage mental health crisis calls from the Multnomah County Call Center and law enforcement agencies.
• Identify and assess risk factors for harm to self or others within the client’s psycho-social context, considering collateral information and articulating potential outcomes of interventions.
• 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 personal safety in the environment and request law enforcement support as needed.
• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to determine risk of intervention and develop plans for approaching 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, demonstrating professional boundaries and ethics.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• Document and maintain electronic health records (EHR) and ancillary records in compliance with agency policies and regulations.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff, and property; follow fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
• Complete annual employee training requirements as indicated by licensing and agency requirements.
• Attend seminars, training, and other educational opportunities to develop professional skills.
• Participate in scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.
• Assess youth’s protective and risk factors as well as family capabilities and resources to guide intervention.
• Assist youth and family in seeking community resources and utilizing natural supports to meet identified needs.
• Collaborate with other child and youth serving systems to ensure effective cooperation toward youth and family’s goals.
• Provide guidance and support to other clinicians in delivering services to youth and families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrate competencies as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).
• At least one year of experience working with children, adolescents, and families providing clinical intervention and completing mental health assessments.
• Equivalent combination of education/experience, preferably in a non-profit organization.
• Valid driver’s license, three-year driving history, clean driving record, and ability to pass a DMV check and complete Cascadia’s online Defensive Driving course.
• Ability to drive a personal or company vehicle for work duties.

Skills

• Conduct Mental Status assessments and formulate diagnoses according to the most current DSM.
• Advanced knowledge of risk assessment and crisis intervention.
• Understanding of evidence-based practices, strength-based case management, and trauma-informed care.
• Operate computer hardware and software, including Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems.

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 environmental awareness are critical due to potential exposure to violent behavior, disease, biohazards, noise, and contaminants.
• Flexible work schedule required; Project Respond operates 24/7.
• Mental demands include addressing diverse and unpredictable circumstances that may negatively affect clients, community, or employee mental health.
• Physical demands include collaborating with partners to minimize risk and communicating quickly and accurately with police agencies in emergent situations.

Benefits

• Generous Paid Time Off: Full-time employees earn 6 weeks of PTO in their first year.
• Medical and Dental Coverage (begins the 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: $36.20 - $38.77 per hour.

Schedule

Variable schedule consisting of 4 ten-hour shifts per week.