Mental Health Professional (MHP) - WellConnect

DESC•Seattle, WA

7d•$84,337 - $93,115

About The Position

DESC is hiring a Mental Health Professional for WellConnect, a modified assertive community treatment team serving Permanent Supportive Housing residents with complex needs who are underserved by traditional office-based care. The interdisciplinary team provides services that support participants’ personal goals, including community integration, systems navigation, care coordination, psychiatric medication management, peer support, housing stability, co-occurring substance use treatment, and individual and group psychotherapy. The role provides ongoing assessment and treatment planning, psychoeducation, counseling, supportive therapy, coaching, and practical assistance. Services are delivered in the office and community settings, including participants’ homes and DESC housing sites. The Mental Health Professional also coordinates with external providers and agencies, supports healthy living conditions, completes WellConnect assessments and intakes, and participates in clinical and program activities. The position’s listed schedule is an office day shift from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with one late shift from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; days off are Friday and Saturday. Team members provide rotating coverage, participate in a paid on-call rotation for 24-hour crisis coverage, and may provide crisis support by phone and in person. The position is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

Requirements

Be eligible for a Licensed AAC credential or another superseding credential meeting RCW 71.05.020 requirements to act as a Mental Health Professional, with a scope of practice that includes independently conducting mental health assessments and making mental health diagnoses.
Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or another relevant behavioral science.
Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle for agency 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 retain in traditional mental health or substance use disorder programs.
Interest or experience working with adults who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness, have mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders, and are involved in the criminal legal system.
Good oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with participants and staff from varied backgrounds.
Commitment to the right and ability of people with severe and persistent mental illness to live in community residences, work in market jobs, and access helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services.
Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, work independently, and exercise professional judgment.
Basic computer skills, including email, data entry, file creation, and correspondence.
Ability to establish supportive, trusting relationships with people with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
Respect for participant rights and personal preferences in treatment.
Understanding of and respect for participant confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA.
Commitment to cooperation and continuity across DESC and outside agency programs.
Ability to participate in a regular on-call rotation providing 24-hour crisis coverage for WellConnect clients’ mental health needs, by phone and in person.
Ability to accept feedback and work in a highly collaborative and stressful environment.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Washington State Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), or actively pursuing one of these credentials.
Bilingual English and Spanish.
Familiarity with psychiatric medications.
Familiarity with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp).

Responsibilities

Assess participants’ mental illness symptoms on an ongoing basis and update treatment plans as needed.
Provide psychoeducation to help participants identify mental illness symptoms and incorporate substance use services when appropriate.
Support participants’ personal growth and ability to cope with internal and external stressors.
Provide individualized assessments, counseling, supportive therapy, coaching, and side-by-side support related to daily living, social and interpersonal relationships, time management, and basic employment skills.
Plan and support community-based activities, including obtaining and setting up housing, grocery shopping, nutrition assistance, household tasks, 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 primary care and dental providers.
Provide practical support, advocacy, coordination, problem-solving, direct assistance, training, and supervision to help participants obtain daily necessities, health care, legal services, financial support, money management, and transportation.
Provide individual supportive therapy and psychotherapy, as well as group and family services, in office and community settings.
Use a stage-based, non-confrontational treatment model that accounts for the interaction between mental illness and substance use and uses participant-determined goals; apply harm reduction approaches.
Assess referred clients for WellConnect and complete intakes, including exploring diagnostic criteria for psychotic disorders.
Help clients achieve and maintain healthy living conditions by attending care conferences, providing outreach and support in residential units, coordinating with housing staff, participating in unit cleanouts, and documenting barriers.
Participate in daily team meetings, psychiatric consultations, clinical supervision, program meetings, in-service training, clinical reviews, and case conferences.
Follow clinical accountability policies and procedures, maintain timely and complete clinical records, and participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned.
Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
Participate in the regular paid on-call rotation, providing 24-hour crisis coverage by phone and in person.
Perform other duties as assigned.