Mental Health Associate - Forensics

Linn County Department of Health Services•Albany, OR

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) assigned to the Forensics Team provides community-based skills training, case management, and competency restoration support to individuals who have been found unable to aid and assist in their own defense due to mental illness. Under the clinical supervision of a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), the QMHA implements individualized service plans designed to support stabilization, treatment engagement, and restoration of competency. Core duties include providing psychoeducation regarding court processes and roles within the legal system; assisting clients in developing coping, communication, and daily living skills; monitoring client progress toward restoration goals; coordinating services with courts, attorneys, corrections staff, and community providers; transporting clients to appointments and court as appropriate; and documenting all services in accordance with program policies, Medicaid requirements, and applicable Oregon Administrative Rules. The position requires the ability to work effectively with justice-involved individuals experiencing serious mental illness, manage complex and high-risk situations in community settings, and collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary forensic behavioral health team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, social work, counseling or closely related behavior science field preferred; or four years of progressive experience in a mental health service program involving general client needs; or any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience, education and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the work described.
Registration with The Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) as a Qualified Mental Health Associate-R (QMHA-R) or Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) I within 30 days of employment.
Must be able to be credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Associate with all Medicaid insurances.
Must be able to pass a criminal history check and not be on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) disqualified list.
Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license and an acceptable driving record that meets the county's requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide community-based skills training, case management, and competency restoration support.
Implement individualized service plans under clinical supervision.
Provide psychoeducation regarding court processes and roles within the legal system.
Assist clients in developing coping, communication, and daily living skills.
Monitor client progress toward restoration goals.
Coordinate services with courts, attorneys, corrections staff, and community providers.
Transport clients to appointments and court as appropriate.
Document all services in accordance with program policies, Medicaid requirements, and applicable Oregon Administrative Rules.
Work effectively with justice-involved individuals experiencing serious mental illness.
Manage complex and high-risk situations in community settings.
Collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary forensic behavioral health team.
Provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel.