Mental Health Assistant

COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE • Kennewick, WA

2d • $20 - $30

About The Position

Comprehensive Healthcare provides innovative behavioral health and integrated healthcare services to clients of all ages. We take pride in our creative and collaborative work environment and in delivering clinically excellent, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented services. What are we looking for in a Mental Health Assistant? The Mental Health Assistant interacts with clients in crisis and assists in providing supportive services to clients under close supervision of Mental Health Professionals. Primary responsibilities include collecting, assessing, and documenting information from clients and referents regarding current concerns and relevant history. Provides support to crisis staff by facilitating referrals, assisting in the development of crisis plans, and coordinating placement at the appropriate level of care. When assigned to the acute care team, responsibilities also include responding to crisis calls, conducting community outreach, and providing follow-up contacts. Mental Health Assistant duties may include:

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of development in children, youth and young adults.
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge and understanding of behavioral health problems in children, youth and young adults.
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of and ability to work with issues of confidentiality, consent and capacity.
• Demonstrates the ability to collaborate and coordinate with family, parents, caregivers and community and natural supports.
• Communicates effectively with children and youth of differing ages and developmental levels.
• Utilizes appropriate crisis intervention techniques for client stabilization.
• Accurately screens for risk to self, others, property and the presence of grave disability and makes appropriate referrals.
• Documents and reports and/or notifies as required by law.
• Applies QPRT (Question, Persuade, Refer or Treat) principles in assessing risk and in safety and treatment planning.
• Develops and documents appropriate safety plans.
• Demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of normal aging process and age related changes.
• Demonstrates an understanding of neurocognitive disorders and their impacts on functioning.
• Demonstrates awareness of how medical issues can affect mental status.
• Completes all required service notes according to Comprehensive Healthcare’s guidelines, policies and procedures regarding format, content and timeliness.
• Language used in service notes is respectful, clear, descriptive, concise and client-centered.
• Service notes accurately depict treatment modalities and interventions provided within the clinician’s scope of practice and according to treatment plan.
• Service notes accurately reflect and depict client status and progress consistent with assessment and reassessment data, problem statements and treatment plan goals and objectives.
• Accompanies Crisis Outreach Professionals on calls away from the office to include, but not limited to client residences, jails nursing homes, schools, etc.
• Monitors detained clients awaiting transportation.
• Assists Crisis Outreach Professional by arranging transportation, delivering papers, assisting with phone calls, etc.
• Makes initial contact with referent and client to gather information on presenting problems.
• Provides referrals and when necessary, arranges for appropriate follow-up. Will provide follow-up as directed by crisis staff.
• Responds to requests for outreach with Crisis Outreach Professionals to assist and for safety purposes.
• Assists team members by following up with clients admitted to Stabilization Bed to monitor symptoms and to arrange discharge.
• Notifies treatment teams of any crisis contact with their assigned clients. Coordinates with treatment team for follow up contact and stabilization plan.
• Answers Open Line/Crisis Line calls and screens for risk, makes appropriate referrals and staff with COP. Reviews after-hours call center reports for the need to provide follow up contact or send to assigned treatment team.
• Provides English/Spanish translations services for clients as needed.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries within our communities and industry
• Healthcare coverage for employee and qualified family members
• Generous vacation, paid holiday and sick leave policies
• Access to 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

What This Job Offers

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