Mental Health Assistant

COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE • Kennewick, WA

1d • $20 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Assistant interacts with clients in crisis and assists in providing supportive services under close supervision of Mental Health Professionals. The role collects, assesses, and documents information from clients and referents about current concerns and relevant history. It supports crisis staff by facilitating referrals, assisting with crisis plans, and coordinating placement at the appropriate level of care. When assigned to the acute care team, the assistant also responds to crisis calls, conducts community outreach, and provides follow-up contacts.

The position works with children, youth, young adults, and older adults. Duties include applying developmentally appropriate communication and knowledge of behavioral health concerns, confidentiality, consent, capacity, aging, neurocognitive disorders, and the effects of medical issues on mental status. The assistant uses crisis intervention techniques, screens for safety risks, develops safety plans, documents services, and supports crisis outreach and follow-up in coordination with clients, referents, families, caregivers, community supports, and treatment teams.

The listed shift is Monday and Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The job is based at the Kennewick Hood Place location in Kennewick, Washington.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of work experience.
• Must be eligible for registration as an Agency Affiliated Counselor.
• Valid driver's license and vehicle liability insurance.

Responsibilities

• Collect, assess, and document information from clients and referents regarding presenting concerns and relevant history.
• Support crisis staff by facilitating referrals, assisting with crisis plans, and coordinating placement at the appropriate level of care.
• Respond to crisis calls, conduct community outreach, and provide follow-up contacts when assigned to the acute care team.
• Apply knowledge of child, youth, and young adult development and behavioral health concerns; communicate effectively with clients at differing ages and developmental levels.
• Collaborate and coordinate with families, parents, caregivers, and community and natural supports.
• Use appropriate crisis intervention techniques to support client stabilization.
• Screen for risk to self, others, or property and for grave disability; make appropriate referrals and document, report, or notify as required by law.
• Apply QPRT principles in risk assessment, safety planning, and treatment planning; develop and document safety plans.
• Apply knowledge of the normal aging process, age-related changes, neurocognitive disorders, and the effects of medical issues on mental status.
• Complete service notes in accordance with organizational guidelines, policies, and procedures, ensuring they are timely, respectful, clear, concise, client-centered, and accurate.
• Accompany Crisis Outreach Professionals on calls outside the office, including visits to residences, jails, nursing homes, and schools.
• Monitor detained clients awaiting transportation and assist Crisis Outreach Professionals with transportation arrangements, paperwork delivery, and phone calls.
• Make initial contact with referents and clients to gather information about presenting problems.
• Provide referrals and arrange appropriate follow-up when necessary; provide follow-up as directed by crisis staff.
• Respond to outreach requests with Crisis Outreach Professionals to provide assistance and support safety.
• Follow up with clients admitted to a Stabilization Bed to monitor symptoms and arrange discharge.
• Notify treatment teams about crisis contacts with their assigned clients and coordinate follow-up and stabilization plans.
• Answer Open Line/Crisis Line calls, screen for risk, make appropriate referrals, and staff cases with a Crisis Outreach Professional.
• Review after-hours call center reports to determine whether follow-up contact or referral to an assigned treatment team is needed.
• Provide English/Spanish translation services for clients as needed.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage for the employee and qualified family members.
• Vacation, paid holiday, and sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program services.
• Agency-funded retirement plan with contributions equal to 5% of compensation.
• Additional retirement investment opportunities with a 50% investment match of up to 4% of compensation.
• Agency-funded life and disability insurance program.
• Financial incentives to further employee education.
• Training, supervision, and consultation opportunities.
• Career opportunities with room for mobility and promotion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED