Mental Health Therapist

Job Summary:

Works within a team of Behavioral Health Professionals to provide outpatient Mental Health services to improve Mental Health with focus on child/adolescent, and a population with both routine and chronic mental illness.

Essential Functions:

• Provides Mental Health counseling services for the health program service population and coordinates resources with other tribal organizations, public schools, State, County and other agencies providing direct or contracted services to Indian people. Basic guidelines are broad with the incumbent exercising initiative and professional judgment.
• Provides casework and counseling services to patients having problems of a social, psychological and/or economic nature that have a bearing on their overall health and well-being.
• Interviews patients and others to obtain data on patient's personal, social and emotional history. Prepares case histories to provide information on patient's personality and behavior as required for diagnosis and treatment. Participates as team member in conferences on behalf of patients with other health workers.
• Provides individual, family and group therapy to those indicating a need for such an approach to problem solving.
• Assists patients and families in utilization of existing medical and social welfare resources through application of professional knowledge and awareness of community resources, and development of working relationship with other social and health service agencies. Coordinates with tribal contract health services and seeks to make the best possible use of outside resources available to patients based on eligibility and need.
• Assists patients and their families to understand, accept and follow medical recommendations and provide services to restore patients to optimum functional level.
• Make court appearances and provide testimony consistent with confidentiality obligations when requested by the Tribe.
• Works in community groups and with community leaders to facilitate the community problem solving process.
• Participates in Health and Wellness Center staff meetings and community conferences as needed.
• Follows Federal and State law and policy as it relates to community health outreach and social work functions services.
• Provides advise, assistance and training to other human services workers in the health program and the community, as appropriate and when requested, within the limits of incumbent's technical knowledge.
• Maintains continuing Education for Certification, completes up to 80 hours skills training every two (2) years (for re-certification), ensures CPR/First aid card is up to date, and maintains certification and clinical skills
• Handle protected health information (PHI) in a manner consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education, Experience, and Licenses:

• Master's degree in counseling, social work, or psychology or closely related field of study. Ph.D. in behavioral health care, Psy.D. in psychology or closely related field of study preferred.
• Requires either a license as a Psychologist, an Oregon Professional Counselor license or an Oregon Clinical Social Worker license, or supervision in the field and completion of this requirement within eighteen months of hire. If applicant is from out of state, requires eligibility to qualify for Oregon licensing during employment introductory period.
• Requires a minimum of three (3) years of experience in clinical behavioral health services.
• Experience or training in play therapy providing therapy services to children 2 years and up preferred.
• OR equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Driving Requirements:

• This position may require driving.

Qualifications,Registrations, and Certifications:

• Certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level I, II or III preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, writing and decision-making skills required.
• Ability to provide Mental Health therapy to children, youth and adolescent.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients or employees of the organization required.
• Minimum of five (5) years active ongoing recovery program required if recovering from chemical dependency.
• Knowledge of office information and word processing software programs required. Must be willing to learn the Indian Health Service PCC Mental Health Services system or comparable software when available.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to Native American culture required.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Continually requires the ability to express or receive detailed information or important instructions through oral communication.
• Continually requires working with fingers rather than the whole hand or arm. Requires repetitive movement of wrists, hands and/or fingers. Often requires walking or moving about to accomplish tasks.
• Requires standing and/or sitting for sustained periods of time, raising objects from a lower to a higher position and/or moving objects horizontally.
• Occasionally requires color identification and depth perception.
• Occasionally requires lifting of up to 40 pounds.
• Due to the nature of the interactions with other employees and the public we serve, employees may be required to provide documentation of, or receive, certain health vaccinations.
• This position is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions which provide protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is occasionally subject to outside environmental conditions.
• May be called upon to serve as a Disaster Reservist during emergencies.
• Local travel is occasionally required. Travel outside of the state is infrequently required.

Background Check:

Candidates for this position will be subject to criminal and character background checks and may be subject to fingerprinting.