Counselor Iii - Peer Delivered Services

This position is located in NE Portland. The schedule is typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Job Overview

The Counselor III, Peer provides and coordinates a wide range of supportive and therapeutic mental health and Peer Delivered Services for a caseload of adults with severe mental illnesses and addiction issues. This position works closely with Peer Navigators who collaborate with internal and external resources to assure the best possible treatment for clients. This position involves participation and implementation of Peer Delivered Services to meet program goals and objectives and promote a strengths-based, client centered approach in assisting clients achieve individual goals.

The Counselor III, Peer 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.

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.

• Complete and implement mental health assessments and other assessments as clinically indicated.

• Work closely with Peer Navigators to ensure individuals requesting Peer services can access peer support, create individual person directed plans and are able to access care as desired/indicated.

• Integrate best practices into the day-to-day operations, including Peer Delivered Services, Peer Led groups, Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing.

• Demonstrate working knowledge Peer Values and competencies as well as understanding accepted treatment practices including the ability to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment plans and recommend alternate strategies as necessary, with review minimum every 90 days or as clinically indicated.

• Assess individual experience and goals and if required for care, diagnose appropriate DSM V criteria, and create a service plan including peer support, that effectively addresses these needs.

• Develop or assist in the development of person directed service plans tailored to each individual's wants and needs.

• In conjunction with Peer Navigators, provide crisis assessment and intervention services to individuals to assist in minimizing or eliminating periods of crisis, severe dysfunction, and acute care utilization.

• Facilitate or support facilitation of both group and individual therapy utilizing the principles of peer support and illness/wellness management and recovery concepts, conduct family/support person sessions, and termination sessions. Model group facilitation skills for other staff members.

• In conjunction with Peer Navigators, provide advocacy services for individuals including support securing benefits and accessing appropriate housing, medical, and emergency services.

• In conjunction with Peer Navigators, continue to work directly with individuals if hospitalized and actively collaborate with hospital personnel to affect discharge as soon as possible.

• Coach individuals in working with Peer Navigators towards setting their own goals and identifying realistic steps in order to achieve their goals.

• Coordinate with other programs and service providers internally and externally. Must be flexible and able to support fellow co-workers and also be able to ask for clinical support when needed.

• Support self-efficacy: teach and model positive behaviors and helps client reestablish sense of self and personal aspirations.

• Assist individuals in developing and accessing natural community supports.

• Coordinate with primary care and/or recovery services or with external partners to assist individuals in accessing medication services.

• Provide strengths-based counseling focused on the individuals wants and needs, and that minimizes illness and maximizes strengths.

Compliance

• Perform Annual Assessments and complete paperwork in accordance with specific site procedures.

• Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that honors and supports peer values while assuring 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, progress and other activities as required.

• Work with both internal and external stakeholders to assure that assigned individuals receive the best possible care.

• Adhere to generally accepted treatment standards, departmental rules, company policies and terms and conditions of contracts or grants.

• Respect and honor individual 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 consumers and staff.

• Demonstrate responsibility for the safety of consumers, staff, and property; possess familiarity with fire regulations and evacuation procedures.

• 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, 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 to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR).

A Peer Support Specialist or Peer Wellness Specialist certification with an active Traditional Health Worker (THW) status is required

The Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM)or Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC) credential is preferred in addition to the THW and Master's Degree given the high occurrence of substance use/abuse.

Experience:

Position requires experience as a former or current user of mental health services.

Must self-disclose as a current or former user of behavioral health services and must have personal experience with recovery.

A minimum of two years' experience providing peer support to individuals with mental health challenges.

Experience providing direct peer support to individuals in a hospital or community-based setting preferred

Experience working with diverse populations preferred.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Able to conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate a diagnosis according to the most current DSM.

Understand 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 (including EMR software) at a level needed to effectively perform job functions.

Enter and retrieve data.

Prepare reports.

Other:

Ability to commute to various Cascadia sites and community locations as needed.

Core Competencies

Leadership and Decision Making:

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 clinical decisions and direction and providing leadership for decisions that are needed throughout a shift.

May influence, persuade or coach others into taking safe and effective courses of action.

Make clinically sound decisions under pressure.

Maintain confidentiality of information when necessary

Interpersonal:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Effectively engage with internal providers, external providers, and stakeholders

Work independently as well as part of a team

Demonstrate a work history of dependability.

Work accurately, efficiently, and effectively to control operating expenses.

Meet or exceed any billing targets assigned.

Contribute to cost savings by identifying opportunities to improve methods, systems, and procedures to increase productivity and enhance services.

Understand, appreciate, and respect diversity and cultural differences.

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

Working Conditions

Work will be performed in both a community and clinic setting.

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:

Activities and structure support community integration while assisting residents in continued growth for successful independent living. Employee must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all residents 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

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.