APS Investigator/Screener - MHC

Multnomah County•Portland, OR

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Adult Protective Service (APS) Investigator/Screener is responsible for screening APS referrals to determine whether the event reported meets abuse definitions within the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR). This position also makes referrals and recommendations for client's welfare and services; conducts protective services for individuals with mental health concerns; manages interview and evaluation process for clinical determination of risk; coordinates with external agencies for action and care plans; and documents determinations and to meet legal requirements. The APS Investigator/Screener is a designee of the State, executing statutory responsibilities on abuse/neglect allegations and protective services referrals. Creates a work culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community.

Requirements

Masters degree in psychology or Masters degree in social work or counseling or Masters degree in a behavioral science field
Qualified Mental Health Professional - (QMHP-R) with the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO). This position requires a QMHP - R within 30 days.
Core Competency Certification (within 6 months of hire).
Background investigation, which may include being fingerprinted.

Nice To Haves

Lead with race through actions and advocacy with internal programs, with community partners and across departments throughout the county.
Demonstrate the ability to flex style when faced with myriad dimensions of culture in order to be effective across cultural context.
Experience entering information into any kind of database, health records, health insurance verification.
Active listener and empathetic.
Time management and strong organizational skills
Respect and appreciation for ethnic and cultural diversity.
Ability to collaborate and build relationships to achieve positive work outcomes.
Ability to maintain a safe and healthy workplace.
High degree of resilience, is outcome driven and can thrive in an environment of rapid change while effectively managing pressure in an effective and professional manner.

Responsibilities

Conduct Formal Assessments and Screenings: Screen all calls to determine, assess and evaluate whether the incident meets the definition of abuse under local, state and federal law and policies. While in the screening role, this position will use the definition of abuse from the OAR that is appropriate to the setting in which the alleged victim lives (single family home, congregate setting, etc.) and receives mental health services.
Complete EHR intake form, submit it for review by supervisor and make changes as needed.
Provide consultation, direction, intervention, care coordination and/or service plan to case managers and other providers to determine and direct their best course of action to maintain client safety and to file a police report if there is documentation and reason to believe a crime has been committed.
Engage crisis services when appropriate.
Consultation and case evaluation within a team setting of internal and external partners will include possible referrals and warm hand-offs to a provider or other organization based on the recommended level of action and care. Additionally, it will ensure the client's ability to follow up on their care plan and transition events, providing necessary supports such as connections to services and transportation. Clinical follow-up will also be arranged as needed.
Contact abuse reporters, alleged victims and others in the community to gather information, assess risk, problem-solve, and safety plan.
Conduct and document safety planning as part of assessment and clinical process.
Included in the screening and evaluation process is a focus on quality improvement, policy development, communication, control of HIPAA and other legal protections of protected health information, and workflow innovation while collaborating with numerous internal and external providers, agencies, organizations, etc.
Conduct Death Reviews: Request, review and evaluate clinical records of deceased clients of community mental health programs to determine if abuse or neglect played a role in the client’s death.
Document in electronic health records (EHR), on State forms and in-program forms to chronicle the service recommendations, course of treatment, safety planning, and interventions by service providers prior to the client’s death.
Make recommendations, referrals, and determinations based on the Death Review Process.
Refer for investigation any allegations that meet criteria of abuse or neglect based on the OAR.
Participate in individual and group supervision. Use supervision to address and identify strengths, areas of growth, training needs, program needs, and professional development issues.
Participate in State and County trainings as needed.
Participate in training sessions with the team when there are new staff, administrative rules changes, new protocols, and as needed.
Participate in staff meetings, client staffings, division-wide and county-wide meetings to share learning, best practices, and support of team-based care approaches for fragile and at-risk clients.
The position will be trained on both screening and Death Review processes, definitions of abuse, documentation requirements, and threshold of harm to the individual involved.