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Counselor III (Urgent Walk-In Clinic) Job Overview Location/Schedule: This position is located at the Cascadia Urgent Walk-In Clinic at the Plaza Health Center, in SE Portland, OR. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Position: Counselor III Program: Urgent Walk-In Clinic (UWIC) 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: We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Counselor III for our Urgent Walk-In Clinic (UWIC) to serve adults and children in Multnomah County experiencing mental health crises. This role involves providing risk assessment, crisis stabilization planning, and coordinating mental health services in a Trauma-Informed Care environment. As a key part of the UWIC team, the Counselor III will use creativity and unique approaches to help clients develop recovery plans, advocate for their needs, and overcome barriers. This dynamic role is essential for stabilizing individuals in crisis and connecting them to ongoing care. 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. Integrate best practices into the day to day operations including, Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing. Provide on-site crisis response, risk assessment, and safety planning to adults and children in Multnomah County experiencing mental health crises. Perform crisis assessments for new clients and complete enrollment paperwork as indicated. Coordinate care and provide assessment dispositions to treatment providers and emergency departments as appropriate. Consult with teammates, supervisors, program managers, and program medical directors as appropriate. Initiate involuntary holds and signs off on appropriate documentation. Provide information and facilitate linkage to mental health treatment and other social services. Teach and model positive behaviors and helps client reestablish sense of self and personal aspirations. Respect client rights and responsibilities and demonstrates 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 specialized clinical expertise to assist in crisis situations. Coordinate with other service providers throughout Multnomah County to provide crisis response and stabilization. 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, client’s progress and other activities, as required. Provide input into the establishment of operational procedures. Understand and abide by federal regulations of Alcohol and Drug information, 42CFR Part 2, mandatory abuse reporting laws, and HIPAA regulations for client confidentiality. Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers, staff and property; demonstrate familiarity 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. Provide clinical consultation to other Cascadia programs as need arises. Perform other duties as assigned. Role Specific Responsibilities Identify and assess risk factors for harm to self or others in the context of the client’s current pyscho-social context via interview with client and with careful consideration of 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. If further evaluation at an Emergency Department is compelled facilitate this in a manner that is trauma-informed and client-centered. On Call positions provide relief to regular staff in the UWIC program. They require the ability to work a flexible schedule and must commit to working a minimum of 4 shifts a month. Qualifications Education: Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university. Demonstrate competencies required to be credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR). The CADC credential is preferred in addition to a Master’s Degree given the high co-occurrence between substance use/abuse and mental health. Experience: Three years of clinical experience providing inpatient or outpatient services is preferred. Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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 Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions Enter and retrieve data Prepare reports Other: CPR Certification (training provided post-hire). Working Conditions The Urgent Walk-in Clinic in Portland relieves pressure on hospital acute care systems by assisting consumers in crises before they need to go to the emergency room. The clinic provides counseling, medication gap prescribing, referrals to services, and affordable mental health treatment. Work is performed in an office setting. Daily routines may be hectic; 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 and assist clients in learning socially acceptable behaviors. 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 encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. 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 30 days after 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) (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) Bicycle Reimbursement Discounted Fitness Memberships Trauma Support Team Starting Rate Range in USD ($) 33.82 - 36.23 Cascadia Health is Oregon’s largest community-based behavioral health and substance use treatment services organization. As both a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Cascadia provides integrated mental health, substance use treatment, primary care, housing support, crisis intervention, peers wellness, skills training, and more to individuals and families. Our clients can find the care they need through one team and often in one location, regardless of their ability to pay.