Mental Health Professional (MHP) / Case Manager - PACT

DESC • Seattle, WA

88d

About The Position

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness. As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness. DESC's Program for Assertive Community Treatment team works in a highly collaborative manner to provide services to participants who have been unable to succeed in traditional treatment settings. Join the team utilizing a nationally recognized evidence-based practice to make a real difference in the lives of individuals challenged by severe and persistent mental illness! DESC's Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) team is a great opportunity for mental health professionals and social work providers who prefer to work with clients in actual community settings such as grocery stores, community centers, sporting events, and client homes. The team has daily meetings to review the status of every participant, and make a daily schedule of services in accordance to each participant's current wants and needs.

Requirements

• Eligible for a Licensed AAC credential or any other superseding credential that meets RCW 71.05.020 requirements to act as a Mental Health Professional whose scope of practice includes independently conducting mental health assessments and making mental health diagnoses.
• Master's degree in social work, psychology or other relevant behavioral science or Bachelor of Nursing degree with specialty in mental health.
• Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business. A current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record are required.
• Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs.
• Good oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate and work effectively with participants and staff from various backgrounds.
• Must have a strong commitment to the right and ability of each person with a severe and persistent mental illness to live in normal community residences; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.
• Able to prioritize multiple responsibilities, work independently and exercise professional judgment.
• Basic computer skills: email, data entry, file creation, correspondence.
• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Participation in regular on-call rotation (paid) to provide 24-hour crisis coverage (both on the phone & in person) for mental health issues for PACT clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing assessment of participants' mental illness symptoms and make appropriate changes in treatment plans as soon as they are needed.
• Promote participants' personal growth and development by assisting participants to adapt to and cope with internal and external stressors.
• Provide individualized assessments, counseling, supportive therapy, coaching and/or side-by-side support to clients to assist their development in the areas of activities of daily living, social & interpersonal relationships, general time management and basic employment skills.
• Plan, structure & support community-based activities such as obtaining and setting up housing, grocery shopping, nutrition assistance, house cleaning and other household activities, money management, social activities, and vocational support.
• Coordinate with outside service providers including inpatient and outpatient treatment services, social security, veterans' benefits, legal and advocacy services, and personal primary care medical and dental providers.
• Provide practical help and supports, advocacy, coordination, side-by-side individualized support, problem-solving, direct assistance, training, and supervision to help participants obtain the necessities of daily living including medical and dental health care; legal and advocacy services; financial support such as entitlements or housing subsidies; money management services (e.g. payeeships); and transportation.
• Provide direct clinical services including individual supportive therapy and psychotherapy to participants on an individual, group, and family basis in the office and in community settings.
• Utilize a stage-based treatment model that is non-confrontational, considers interactions of mental illness and substance abuse, and has participant-determined goals.
• Support clients with achieving and maintaining healthy living conditions.
• Participate in daily team meetings, psychiatric consultations, clinical supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences.
• Comply with the agency's clinical accountability policies and procedures; maintain current, timely and complete clinical records; participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Medical insurance (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• ORCA card subsidy
• Paid Time Off (34 days per year)
• Retirement Plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Social Assistance
• Education Level: Master's degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees