10748- Mental Health Associate

This positions will be based out of the Garlington Health Center in NE Portland. The schedule is typically Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Mental Health Associate position provides and coordinates a wide range of supportive and therapeutic mental health and dual diagnosis services for adults who are diagnosed with mental illness, substance use issues, and other health issues who are participants in a Housing Outreach Team supportive housing program. With the high prevalence of trauma among individuals receiving mental health services, it is required the Mental Health Associate understand the effects of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of the lives of those we serve. This position works on the Housing Outreach Team which provides home and community based services to participants, individuals and families, who have had the experience of homelessness and have a mental health disability. These services are focused around supporting the participant and/or family to stabilize their housing, end their experience with homelessness, and improve their health, and move forward in their mental health recovery. Through this program, participants will be assisted to obtain income, medical care, and develop support systems in their community. This position involves participation and implementation of program goals and objectives to promote a strengths-based, client centered approach to assisting supportive housing program participants in achieving individual goals and ultimately transitioning from supportive housing to independent housing.

All incumbents must understand, appreciate and respect the diversity and cultural differences within our Cascadia community. It is expected that there is an awareness and sensitivity to the perspectives and perceptions to those we serve, as well as our colleagues. As Cascadia is Trauma informed, the incumbent must support a Trauma Informed Care Environment. With the high prevalence of trauma among individuals receiving behavioral health services, it is required that the incumbent understand the effects of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of the lives of those we serve.

On the first of the month, following 30 days of employment, benefit eligible employees (20/hrs. or more per week) are able to enjoy affordable, low cost, medical, dental, and vision benefits. Additionally, Cascadia provides a generous paid time off package, volunteer time off, and more. Upon hire, you will complete paid training and then continue to train onsite in your new job. During the first week of training, you will learn about the agency, understanding those we serve, Trauma informed care, and other skills to prepare you for significant and meaningful work in the behavioral health field, whether you are providing clinical services or non-direct services. Click to learn about the benefits we offer and more

Essential Duties

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

• Provide home and community based engagement services to clients utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophy of Motivational Interviewing and Housing First. Utilize assertive engagement techniques to meet clients where they are willing to participate and coach clients in setting goals and identifying realistic steps in order to achieve them. Provide these services as individual services and group services as appropriate.
  
• Coordinate with team QMHP clinicians and psychiatrists in regards to behavioral health needs and service planning.
  
• Advocate and provide emotional and practical support to consumers throughout the working relationship.
  
• 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. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation associated with billing, assessment, treatment, residents' progress and other activities, as required.
  
• Complete supportive housing program grant specific initial and annual paperwork with client to assist with housing stability. Learn grant specific processes and goals. Provide updated data to administrative staff for entry into HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) to track housing retention, placement, and benefits information for grant reporting purposes.
  
• Assist participants through the housing process including identifying apartment, addressing possible barriers to housing approval, accessing funding for move in costs, and obtaining furnishings for their home.
  
• Work in close coordination with other providers/support systems involved with individual clients. Includes initiating clinical consultations; assuring coordination of treatment planning and ongoing support services and providing supported linkage peer wellness staff and primary/addictions/and other health focused providers.
  
• Develop trusting therapeutic relationships with clients to maintain engagement and promote the client's success in self-advocacy and developing trusting relationships with other health providers to support successful transition into independent housing and outpatient services.
  
• Develop working relationships with landlords and be responsive to landlords as concerns arise in order to support participants in successfully maintaining their housing and preventing eviction.
  
• Assist clients in developing and accessing natural community supports as well as community services. Promote active and appropriate inclusion of family/identified individuals in treatment and support planning. Provide holistic family focused services for HOT family households, including linkage and coordination with family and children's services.
  
• Advocate for each individual when there are difficulties obtaining needed services in the community.
  
• Provide crisis intervention services to minimize or eliminate acute care utilization.
  
• Work directly with hospitalized clients and actively collaborate with hospital personnel to allow for client discharge as soon as possible.
  
• Coordinate with medical and psychiatric services to assist participants with access to services. Refer clients to outside support specific to treatment needs.
  
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
  
• Consistently use strong clinical and professional judgment while providing services to clients; including taking appropriate safety precautions while transporting clients and providing services to clients in the community/homes.
  
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of participants and property; demonstrate familiarity with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
  
• Drive personal car and agency vehicles to meet with client's in their homes and in the community.
  
• Maintain personal schedule including setting up individual appointments with clients to ensure regular scheduled meetings are occurring and outreach to clients is happening if clients become less engaged.
  
• Work cooperatively in a team setting to coordinate continuity of care.
  
• Develop and maintain a collaborative, working relationship with partners, landlord, and housing providers including attending regular meetings as required by specific partnership agreements.
  
• Teach and model positive interactions to build a greater sense of self and move forward in wellness and recovery.
  
• Work closely with other Housing Outreach Team staff, providing support as needed.
  
• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as defined by the agency and program.
  
• Attend and participate in all meetings as assigned.
  
• 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 and be on time for all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, clinical supervision sessions, partner meetings and other departmental and agency meetings.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university or three years of full time professional experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Demonstrate the competencies to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA), as outlined in OAR 309-016-0005.
  
• Experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental health challenges is required.
  
• Experience working with individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness is preferred.
  
• Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction model, Trauma Informed Care, and principles of Illness Management Recovery, and skills to provide strength based practices.
  
• Operate Computer hardware and software at a level to effectively perform the job functions
  
• Enter and retrieve data
  
• Must 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.
  
• Ability to perform CPR, First Aid, and properly use AED equipment. CPR/ First Aid certifications are required and must remain current.
  

Working Conditions

• The Housing Outreach Team administers multiple supportive housing programs with supportive services occurring in the community. Work with clients is performed primarily in the community and in participant's homes with some office work being performed at the Garlington Clinic where the Housing Outreach Team is based or in designated primary site related to specific program. The majority of the work is performed during normal business hours, but may include occasional weekday evenings or a Saturday / Sunday. Daily routines may be hectic and will likely require the Counselor III to perform various functions and, on occasion, perform the tasks of other employees as needed. 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 costs, employee morale or clients. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.
  
• Physical Demands: Activities and structure support community integration assisting clients in continued growth for successful independent living. The Counselor II must have the ability to assist residents to participate in a variety of activities, events, and excursions involving skills building and community integration. Employee must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all residents and staff in potentially volatile situations.
  

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at (503) 963-7654 or

These positions are represented by a labor union

Education:

Bachelors degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university or three years of full time professional experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Demonstrate the competencies to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA), as outlined in OAR 309-016-0005.

Experience:

Experience providing culturally specific services preferred.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be able to effectively engage and support the client community served and provide culturally specific services
  
• Demonstrated ability to engage and provide culturally relevant services to African-American, Latino/Latina and/or Native American individuals and families experiencing homelessness, financial poverty, and mental illness
  
• Demonstrated ability to engage and provide high quality culturally relevant services
  
• Understanding of Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and principles of Illness Management Recovery, and skills to provide strength based practices
  
• Operate Computer hardware and software at a level to effectively perform the job functions
  
• Enter and retrieve data
  

Other:

Bilingual ability with proficiency in Spanish is preferred, but not required.

Possess a valid drivers license, three-year driving history; clean driving record, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course.

Access and ability to use a reliable vehicle in order to travel to partner sites and community appointments.

Ability to perform CPR, First Aid, and properly use AED equipment. CPR/ First Aid certifications are required and must remain current.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 503.963.7654 or