Mobile Counselor III (Project Respond)

Mobile Counselor III (Project Respond)

Job Overview

Location/Schedule: This position is based out of Kerns building in NE Portland, but work is performed in the community setting including client residences, schools, police precincts, shelters, residential facilities, and public spaces. The schedule for this position is Wednesday - Saturday, 2:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Position: Mobile Counselor III

Program: Project Respond

Cascadia's Mission and Vision:  

Mission: Cascadia Health delivers whole health care – integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing – to promote hope and support the well-being of the communities we serve. 

Vision: We envision a community where everyone benefits from whole health care, experiences well-being, and has a self-directed, connected life. 

Position Description: The Mobile Counselor III 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 and approaches work with people from a trauma-informed, strength-based, perspective and works in concert with programs in Multnomah County’s Acute Care Continuum.  This position works collaboratively with mental health and physical health care providers, police agencies, emergency departments, school personnel, and other social service agencies to assure the best possible treatment for clients, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment.  

Essential Responsibilities 

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 immediate mobile response to individuals experiencing mental health crises in Multnomah County.  

• Triage mental health crisis calls as they come into the office from the Multnomah County Call Center and law enforcement agencies.  

• Identify and assess risk factors for harm to self or others in the context of the client’s current psycho-social context via interview with client and with consideration given to collateral information; consider and articulate potential outcomes of various interventions, discuss their risks and benefits, and formulate why a particular course of action was pursued in lieu of other options; opt for least intrusive and most supportive intervention.   

• 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 for personal safety in the environment and request law enforcement support as appropriate.  

• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to determine risk of intervention and develop plans for approach of 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.  

• Ability to operate in a sometimes ambiguous and frequently changing work environment.  

• Respect client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics. 

• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements. 

• 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.   

• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff and property; is familiar with fire regulations and evacuation procedures. 

• 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 in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications 

Education: 

• Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university. Demonstrate the competencies as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).  

Experience: 

• At least one-year working with clients providing a broad range of clinical intervention and completing mental health assessments.

• Equivalent combination of education/experience preferably in a non-profit organization preferred. 

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate a diagnosis according to the most current DSM  

• Advanced knowledge of risk assessment and crisis intervention 

• Understand evidence based practices, and strength based case management philosophies and strategies including trauma informed care.  

• Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions including the ability to operate Electronic Health Record software 

Other: 

• 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. This position requires the ability to drive a personal or company vehicle for the completion of work duties. 

  

Working Conditions

Work is performed in community settings, including client residences, schools, police precincts, shelters, residential facilities, and other public locations. Meal periods and breaks may be interrupted based on client or program needs. Adherence to Universal Precautions and maintaining situational awareness are essential due to the potential for exposure to violent behavior, infectious diseases, biohazards, noise, and other environmental hazards. The Mobile Counselor III must be able to work a flexible schedule, as Project Respond operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mental Demands

The work is varied and requires responding to new, complex, and unpredictable situations that may significantly impact the well-being of clients, community members, and staff. The Mobile Counselor III must remain alert, attentive, and able to rapidly assess risk, make sound clinical decisions, and respond effectively to concerns involving personal and environmental safety. The position frequently requires adapting to changing priorities, interruptions, and crisis situations while maintaining effective time management and professional judgment.

Physical Demands

The Mobile Counselor III works collaboratively with team members to promote the safety of clients, staff, and the community. The role requires the ability to respond promptly in crisis situations, communicate effectively with law enforcement and emergency responders when necessary, and safely navigate a variety of community environments.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer.  If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at (503) 963-7654 or [email protected]

This position is represented by a labor union.

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 hire date)
• VSP Vision Discount Plan
• 403(b) Retirement Plan - Eligible after 60 days with immediate 100% vesting and a 1-to-1 company match up to 3% per pay period, plus the opportunity for an additional discretionary contribution (up to 5%) at the end of the fiscal year.
• 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
• Student loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits:

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

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

$36.20 - $38.77