Mental Health Associate

Lutheran Community Services Northwest•Klamath Falls, OR

About The Position

Lutheran Community Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with a wide range of services for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. All LCSNW team members will contribute to our mission of partnering with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope WHAT WE WILL DO FOR YOU: As an employer of choice, we’re deeply committed to supporting our employees because when you’re empowered, our mission thrives. We provide resources, tools, and care that allow you to focus on what matters most: delivering Health, Justice, and Hope to the communities we serve. We’re proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and peace of mind A 37.5 per hour work week to ensure work/life balance Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance Life insurance coverage at no cost to you Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked) Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked) 12 paid agency recognized holidays 2 floating holidays to use your way 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies) Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT: Identify treatment barriers and strategize to overcome for successful engagement in treatment Attend daily staffing meetings with ODHS staff Participate in any case planning staffing requested by ODHS and maintain frequent contact with the ODHS-assigned caseworker and the SUD treatment provider through a combination of meetings, phone contacts, and written communications Responding to referrals from ODHS, and making contact with the client to obtain a SUD assessment and referral to SUD treatment Provide transportation, help arrange childcare, and eliminate any other barriers for the parent to participate in an alcohol and drug assessment and recommended treatment Coordinate clients’ SUD services with Child Welfare Caseworker, including weekly reports regarding status of referrals, weekly treatment summaries for clients in treatment at local agencies, and monthly reporting Obtain releases of information for individuals attending SUD treatment and track the individuals attending those groups, and ensure clients integrate and follow through with A&D treatment on a timely basis Collects urine analysis (UA) specimens in various settings (e.g., office or home-based environments), ensuring proper collection procedures, secure specimen storage, and accurate completion and maintenance of chain of custody documentation in compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements Perform assigned tasks quickly and accurately from written and oral instructions, and must have the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed, for treatment Understand and navigate complex systems and case plans with multiple social services agencies and diverse populations, providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers HOW YOU WILL BE A GREAT FIT: Two years of related experience Associate’s degree in a Social Services related field; substantial relevant experience will be considered in place of a degree Fluency in English, both spoken and written Intermediate mastery of business applications and productivity suites Demonstrates resilience, awareness, and self-regulation in navigating challenges, conflict and obstacles/barriers. Thrives in a diverse and multicultural environment; works with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies to enhance end-user experiences throughout the service lifecycle Demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for diverse and marginalized populations Successfully completes tasks in a moderately noisy environment Interacts with others and performs tasks in-person and through the use of technology, with moderate periods of stationary activity and moderate periods of increased physical activity, including and not limited to moving from place to place, inside and outside of buildings and vehicles. Moves equipment/materials weighing up to 15 pounds Travels between worksites regularly; responsible for transporting clients in personal vehicle, which requires a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and motor vehicle records clearance Works in a variety of settings, including and not limited to LCSNW office locations, partner agency and community-based settings, client home/community settings, outdoor settings in varying weather conditions, and faith-based settings such as churches Meets LCSNW criminal background clearance requirements and other job-relevant clearances as required by the State or program Thank you! We sincerely appreciate your interest in joining the Lutheran Community Services NW team and thank all applicants for taking the time to apply. While we’re unable to respond to every candidate individually, please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Lutheran Community Services NW is deeply committed to our mission of Health, Justice and Hope in all aspects of our work. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more compassionate community.

Requirements

Two years of related experience
Associate’s degree in a Social Services related field; substantial relevant experience will be considered in place of a degree
Fluency in English, both spoken and written
Intermediate mastery of business applications and productivity suites
Demonstrates resilience, awareness, and self-regulation in navigating challenges, conflict and obstacles/barriers.
Thrives in a diverse and multicultural environment; works with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategies to enhance end-user experiences throughout the service lifecycle
Demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for diverse and marginalized populations
Successfully completes tasks in a moderately noisy environment
Interacts with others and performs tasks in-person and through the use of technology, with moderate periods of stationary activity and moderate periods of increased physical activity, including and not limited to moving from place to place, inside and outside of buildings and vehicles.
Moves equipment/materials weighing up to 15 pounds
Travels between worksites regularly; responsible for transporting clients in personal vehicle, which requires a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and motor vehicle records clearance
Works in a variety of settings, including and not limited to LCSNW office locations, partner agency and community-based settings, client home/community settings, outdoor settings in varying weather conditions, and faith-based settings such as churches
Meets LCSNW criminal background clearance requirements and other job-relevant clearances as required by the State or program

Responsibilities

Identify treatment barriers and strategize to overcome for successful engagement in treatment
Attend daily staffing meetings with ODHS staff
Participate in any case planning staffing requested by ODHS and maintain frequent contact with the ODHS-assigned caseworker and the SUD treatment provider through a combination of meetings, phone contacts, and written communications
Responding to referrals from ODHS, and making contact with the client to obtain a SUD assessment and referral to SUD treatment
Provide transportation, help arrange childcare, and eliminate any other barriers for the parent to participate in an alcohol and drug assessment and recommended treatment
Coordinate clients’ SUD services with Child Welfare Caseworker, including weekly reports regarding status of referrals, weekly treatment summaries for clients in treatment at local agencies, and monthly reporting
Obtain releases of information for individuals attending SUD treatment and track the individuals attending those groups, and ensure clients integrate and follow through with A&D treatment on a timely basis
Collects urine analysis (UA) specimens in various settings (e.g., office or home-based environments), ensuring proper collection procedures, secure specimen storage, and accurate completion and maintenance of chain of custody documentation in compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements
Perform assigned tasks quickly and accurately from written and oral instructions, and must have the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed, for treatment
Understand and navigate complex systems and case plans with multiple social services agencies and diverse populations, providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers

Benefits

A 37.5 per hour work week to ensure work/life balance
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription benefits to keep you and your loved ones healthy
Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
Life insurance coverage at no cost to you
Up to 2 weeks of vacation in your first year (based on hours worked)
Up to 2 weeks of sick leave (based on hours worked)
12 paid agency recognized holidays
2 floating holidays to use your way
403(b) retirement plan with employer matching (eligibility applies)
Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
Potential eligibility for Student Loan Forgiveness through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status