MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATE

This position is located at our Plaza Health Center in SE Portland. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Job Overview

The Mental Health Associate works as a member of an interdisciplinary team to provide case management and skills training within the community, participant home and outpatient settings, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment. 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. The Mental Health Associate must have the ability to work independently in the community, providing services to participants. This position involves participation and implementation of program goals and objectives to promote a strengths-based, participant centered approach to assist participants in working towards their treatment 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.

* Provide case management and skills training with participants as required, and directed by the mental health treatment plan.
* Integrate best practices into the day-to-day operations including; Assertive Engagement, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Recovery Model.
* Provide individual and group services and meet productivity expectations.
* Effectively engage participants to participate in treatment services, which can involve transporting participants out in the community.
* Provide advocacy services for consumers including securing benefits, mental health services, addictions treatment, medical services, emergency services and housing.
* Participate in regular supervision and attends team meetings to gain knowledge and communicate program and participant needs.
* Respect and honor participant rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
* Coordinate with the team in regards to treatment plans, identifying and prioritizing treatment plan goals and identifying resources to meet those goals.
* Provide skills training to help participants manage their medications. Includes, but is not limited to, helping participants set up individualized medication reminder systems. Check in with participants regularly on medication adherence, and communicate medication challenges to the team.
* Develop positive working relationships within multi-disciplinary team.
* Form cooperative relationships with outside providers in securing benefits, advocating for consumers, and connecting to acute care providers.
* 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 as required, associated with billing, assessment, treatment, participants progress and other activities.
* Provide input on all relevant documentation and procedural requirements.
* Provide input to the treatment plan in collaboration with primary clinician.
* Work cooperatively in a team setting to coordinate continuity of care. 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 participants and staff.
* Demonstrate responsibility for safety of participants, staff and property; is familiar with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.
* Commute to meet with participants in their homes and in the community.
* Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements.
* Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as defined by the agency and program.
* Attend and participate in all meetings as assigned.

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 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. Must demonstrate the competencies to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA), as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR). Certification must be kept current and in compliance with the OARs.

Experience:

Some work experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness is preferred.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

* Understanding of Assertive Engagement, recovery model, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, strength based case management philosophies and strategies
* Well-developed coping skills and strategies in order to deal with known and unknown circumstances
* Ability to learn and adapt thinking when new information is provided
* Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions
* Enter and retrieve data
* Prepare simple reports and progress notes

Other:

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. This position will use a company vehicle to provide participant transportation.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an outpatient, community, and participants home settings with scheduled groups and individual appointments. The Mental Health Associate will provide a variety of mental health services to assist individuals in improving their quality of life and manage mental health symptoms. The nature of the work dictates that the employee is alert and attentive during his or her assigned shift. Employee will carry Cascadia provided cell phones and laptop computers to assist in completing their work in the field. Daily routines may be hectic and will likely require the Mental Health Associate 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 participants. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.

Physical Demands:

Must have the ability to operate a mother vehicle in order to transport participants out in the community. Staff must also have the ability to assist participants in participating in a variety of skill building outings as well as accessing community resources.

The Mental Health Associate must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all participants and staff in potentially volatile situations. When the need arises, staff may be asked to respond appropriately to crisis situations, using approved de-escalation techniques to minimize risk to participants, staff and the larger community.

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 at peopleandculture@cascadiabhc.org

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