Behavioral Health Specialist 2 - QMHP

State of Oregon•Woodburn, OR

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon Youth Authority is hiring full-time Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs) at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn. The role delivers comprehensive mental and behavioral health services to youth and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team that includes contracted psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, and psychologists. The specialist helps create a supportive treatment environment in an assigned living unit and promotes youth accountability, healthy habits, productive lives, and socially acceptable behavior. Working alongside the Living Unit Manager and Case Coordinator, the specialist provides leadership and implements evidence-based interventions in a group living setting. This recruitment may fill multiple limited-duration, temporary, and permanent positions and establish a candidate list for current and future vacancies. The role is represented by SEIU. Work takes place in a group living milieu and includes face-to-face contact with adjudicated youth, some of whom may exhibit hostile, aggressive, or assaultive behavior. The employee is expected to enforce rules and restrain youth during crises, and may face facility emergencies, hostage situations, hostile visitors, communicable disease exposure, and travel to other OYA locations or statewide trainings. Weekend, holiday, evening, standby, or on-call work may be required.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: a bachelor's degree in nursing or occupational therapy, Oregon licensure, and three years of progressively responsible related experience; or a master's degree in psychology, social work, recreational, art, or music therapy, or behavioral health science, and two years of progressively responsible related experience.
Be eligible for certification as a Qualified Mental Health Professional at the time of application.
Meet QMHP education criteria: a graduate degree in psychology, social work, a behavioral science field, or recreational, art, or music therapy; or a bachelor's degree in nursing with Oregon licensure; or a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy with Oregon licensure.
Have education and experience demonstrating competencies in assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and individual, family, and/or group therapy within the scope of practice.
Hold a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record; driving is an essential function of the position.
Submit a separate resume document in PDF format.
Consent to required pre-employment checks, which may include criminal, driving, abuse and neglect, fingerprint-based, drug, education, and professional license or certification checks.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish; preference is given to bilingual candidates.
Licensure in the candidate's discipline.
Certificates or work experience related to substance use treatment.
Certificates or work experience related to sexual harming behaviors.
Strong clinical skills with adolescents and young adults and the ability to provide clinical work independently.
Experience providing treatment related to gang affiliation, anger management, fire setting, and violent offending.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive mental and behavioral health services to youth.
Collaborate with psychiatrists, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, psychologists, and other multidisciplinary team members.
Help create a supportive treatment environment within an assigned living unit.
Encourage youth to take responsibility, develop healthy habits, lead productive lives, and engage in socially acceptable behavior.
Work with the Living Unit Manager and Case Coordinator to provide leadership and implement evidence-based interventions in a group living setting.
Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments and mental status examinations.
Identify precipitating events and gather histories of mental and physical disabilities, alcohol and drug use, prior mental health services, and criminal justice contacts.
Assess family, social, and work relationships; document multiaxial DSM diagnoses; and write and supervise treatment plans.
Provide individual, family, and/or group therapy within the scope of practice.
Enforce rules and restrain youth during crisis situations.
Travel to other OYA locations or trainings throughout the state when required.

Benefits

Low-cost medical, vision, and dental plans for employees and their families.
Life insurance and short- and long-term disability.
Deferred compensation savings plans and flexible spending accounts for health and childcare.
11 holidays, 3 personal business days, monthly sick leave, and vacation leave that increases with years of service.
Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) or Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
Wellness resources supporting work-life balance, health, and overall well-being.
Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
Access to Get There, Oregon's carpool-matching tool and trip planner.
Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
A 5% bilingual differential for employees who demonstrate English and Spanish fluency, if bilingual proficiency is required for the position.