This position is located at our David's Harp location. The schedule for this position is Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Job Overview

The Counselor III works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment, providing person centered planning, individual, group and family therapy, care coordination, and psychosocial programming for older adults and persons with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and complex medical needs, residing in adult foster homes, care facilities and the community. The incumbent will work collaboratively with the directors of nursing and social services, primary care providers, and medical specialists. The Counselor III will be supervised by the Davids Harp Program Manager. This position involves participation and implementation of program goals and objectives to promote a strengths-based, client centered approach to assisting clients in achieving individual goals.

Essential Duties

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary.

• Integrate best practices into the day to day operations including Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing.
• Participate as a member of clients inter-disciplinary team.
• Provide individual, family and group psychotherapeutic interventions.
• Provide care coordination across levels and types of care and transition (discharge) planning.
• Perform and document comprehensive behavioral health assessments, and individual service plans.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a therapeutic milieu.
• Work collaboratively with the Care team to develop and implement mental health treatment and behavior plans, with specific rehabilitation and behavioral interventions.
• Develop and implement psychosocial and rehabilitative programming including recreation and skill building groups appropriate for adults with mental illness who may also have physical and developmental disabilities.
• 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, clients progress, and other activities, as required.
• Develop and lead individualized rehabilitation interventions, such as emotional regulation skills, socialization and communication enhancement skills, anxiety reduction skills, etc.
• Work with others both inside and outside of Cascadia to assure that assigned clients are receiving the best possible treatment.
• Adhere to generally accepted treatment standards, departmental rules, company policies and terms and conditions of contracts or grants.
• Respect and honor client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Assist in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the treatment team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment for clients and staff.
• Provide training and consultation to facility staff on mental health issues when applicable.
• Work in close coordination with other providers & support systems involved with individual clients: initiate clinical consultations, assure coordination of client care and treatment issues, and support linkage with Peer Wellness staff and primary care/addictions/and other health focused providers.
• Provide home and community based engagement services to clients utilizing strengths-based case management while embracing the philosophy of Motivational Interviewing. Utilize assertive engagement techniques to meet clients where they are, and coach clients in setting goals and identifying realistic steps in order to achieve them.
• Develop trusting therapeutic relationships with clients to maintain engagement and promote the clients success in self-advocacy and developing trusting relationships with other health providers.
• 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.
• Actively coordinate and participate in complex care staff meetings with the interdisciplinary team.
• Supervise interns in collaboration with program leadership.
• Arrange for medical and psychiatric hospitalizations when required. 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.
• Demonstrate and apply skills in case management, assessment, planning, monitoring, linking, and advocating, as well as cognitive and behavioral therapy principles and recovery oriented interventions.
• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
• 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, trainings, 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 job-related duties as assigned.

Program Specific Duties

• May be required to carry a Cascadia provided cell phone and laptop to complete work in the field.
• Teach and model positive interactions to build a greater sense of self and move forward in wellness and recovery

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

This position must understand, appreciate, and respect the diversity and cultural differences within our Cascadia community. As such, it is expected that this position promotes integrated care, our vision of trauma-informed and person-first approaches and helps create a work environment of inclusion, safety, and acceptance.

Qualifications

Education:

A Masters 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). Certification must be current and in compliance with the OARs.

Experience:

Clinical experience providing inpatient, or outpatient services is preferred.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrate ability to organize, prioritize and deal with multiple demands
• Knowledge of community resources and how to access them
• Ability to conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate a diagnosis according to the most current DSM
• Understanding of recovery model, motivational interviewing, illness management and recovery
• Thorough knowledge of evidence based practices, and strength based case management philosophies and strategies
• Ability to operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions
• Enter and retrieve data
• Prepare reports

Other:

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

Core Competencies

Leadership and Decision Making:

Provide clinical guidance and direction

Model appropriate clinical interventions

Identify and prioritize service plan goals and identify resources to meet those goals

Demonstrate strong interpersonal, organizational, and clinical skills

May serve as lead person responsible for contacting the Administrator On-Call for clinical decisions and direction and providing leadership for decisions that are needed throughout a shift

Influence, persuade or coach others into taking safe and effective courses of action

Make clinically sound decisions under pressure

Interpersonal:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Effectively engage with internal providers, external providers, and stakeholders

Work cooperatively in a team setting to coordinate continuity of care

Work independently as well as part of a team

Demonstrate a work history of dependability

Work accurately, efficiently, and effectively to control operating expenses

Promote safety and welfare of clients, and foster a cohesive workplace for employees

Demonstrate initiative and creativity in approach to problems and tasks

Demonstrate ability to effectively engage and provide quality services to a racially diverse client population

Represent the company effectively in a variety of settings and with diverse communities

Working Conditions

Work includes clinic-based appointments and work in a community-based healthcare setting. Daily routines may be unpredictable 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:

The Counselor III must be approved to provide transportation using agency vehicles in order to support client access to the community. The Counselor III may occasionally assist clients in accessing the community or community resources by providing transportation for clients Employee must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all client and staff in potentially volatile situations.

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 30 days after hire date)
• VSP Vision Discount Plan
• 403(B) Retirement Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with matching contribution)
• 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
• Pet Insurance

Wellness Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bicycle Reimbursement
• Discounted Fitness Memberships
• Trauma Support Team

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.

We are a healthcare provider and required to be in compliance with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.