Mental Health Professional - Forensic Housing Program

Thurston Mason BH-ASO/OHRS • Lacey, WA

16h • $38 - $46

About The Position

Olympic Health & Recovery Services is seeking a Mental Health Professional to join our Forensic Housing through Recovery and Peer Services (FHARPS) program! This position serves as a vital connector between the criminal legal system and housing recovery services for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges and housing instability. Responsibilities include conducting mental health and housing assessments, managing referrals from forensic partners, conducting outreach to eligible participants, and facilitating access to housing and supportive services under the FHARPS program. Through trauma-informed engagement and collaborative service coordination, you will help justice-involved individuals transition from houselessness or institutional settings to stable, community-based housing, promoting recovery, autonomy, and long-term stability. Olympic Health and Recovery Services is a dynamic organization serving the most vulnerable in our communities. Join us in our mission to provide access to an effective, reliable safety net of behavioral health crisis and recovery support services throughout our region. We take pride in our staff that come to work with us and are seeking a MHP with a passion for supporting individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders. Salary Range: $38.10 - $46.01 per hour DOE. Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM or 8AM-4:30PM First review of applications will take place on 12/29/2025.

Requirements

• Meets WA state qualifications to be a Mental Health Professional.
• Master’s degree or further advanced degree in counseling or one of the social sciences from an accredited college or university. Or Bachelor’s degree in counseling in one of the social sciences and five (5) years of direct behavioral health experience.
• WA Department of Health license or associate license as a Social Worker, Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychologist or BSN/RN. Or WA DOH Licensed or Certified Agency Affiliated Counselor license.
• Current Washington State Driver's License, proof of insurance, and satisfactory drivers record that meets insurance coverage requirements
• Satisfactory criminal background clearances and excluded party sanctions.
• Must be able to obtain clearance at Thurston and Mason County jails.
• Ability to utilize the Recovery Model, Evidence Based Practices and effectively engage with program participants.
• Ability to utilize various skills, methodologies, and approaches including motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, harm reduction approach.
• Ability to navigate and access systems related to, but not limited to, food, cash, and other medical public benefits through Apple Health, DSHS, and Social Security Department.
• Ability to navigate and access systems, resources, and services related to Behavioral Health Services, medical and/or dental care, and basic needs.
• Ability to navigate and access systems, resources, and services related to emergency, transitional, supportive and permanent housing.
• Familiarity and knowledge of the Permanent Supportive Housing model and the Housing First approach, including principles of low-barrier access, harm reduction, and long-term housing stability for individuals with complex needs.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care for people with complex needs.
• Familiarity and knowledge of best practices for alcohol/drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, mental health and developmental disabilities programs as well as with local social service agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries, trusting and supportive relationships as well as provide inspiration and motivation to individuals transitioning toward recovery.
• Knowledge of symptoms, common behavioral and social characteristics, and other manifestations of the behavioral health challenges affecting the population served.
• Knowledge of the various presentations of behavioral health related illnesses the participants may experience.
• Ability to work in high stress, high demand environment while communicating clearly and effectively.
• Ability to write clear and concise clinical documents, reports, and correspondence including documentation of all client interactions utilizing DAP style documentation within 24 business hours.
• Ability to work collaboratively utilizing strong written and verbal communication skills as part of a multidisciplinary team while respectfully managing differences, opposing perspectives, opinions, and interests.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to change while maintaining affective time management skills.
• Knowledge of and ability to recognize compassion fatigue and the need for self-care.
• Strong critical thinking skills, ability to conceptualize and implement creative solutions.
• Promote and champion the values of partnership, teamwork, compassion and integrity in all dealings within and outside of OHRS.

Nice To Haves

• Two (2) years of administrative and/or clinical experience within a social service or a closely related environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists in screening and tracking all referrals and coordinating with FHARPS team.
• Conducts regular in-reach to local jails, hospitals, crisis facilities, court systems, and additional agencies to locate, enroll, and/or engage FHARPS eligible referrals and FHARPS participants
• Conducts regular outreach in collaboration with Trueblood programs, Balance of State Continuum of Care organizations, and other local partners to locate, enroll, and engage FHARPS-eligible referrals and participants.
• Educates and informs referred individuals about program requirements and expectations with the goal of enrollment into FHARPS.
• Conducts supportive housing assessments and mental health assessments of individuals as part of their intake into the FHARPS program.
• Engagement is likely to provide support to individuals with acute behavioral health presentation.
• Develop release plans and emergency/ transitional housing plans with individuals and provide ongoing care coordination.
• Transport participants as deemed necessary. Transportation should be limited to housing related needs.
• Coordinates with FHARPS program staff.
• Builds relationships with community resources and delivers coordination, support, and advocacy to program participants facing challenges such as homelessness, chronic mental or behavioral health conditions, legal issues, and/or substance use disorders.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with local behavioral health, housing, and healthcare agencies to streamline referrals and strengthen the continuum of care for eligible participants.
• Participates in scheduled Hospital Diversion Team meetings, weekly FHARPS staff meetings, and other internal or external meetings as needed.
• Participates in monthly meetings with system partners, including DSHS Navigators, Health Care Authority, and DSHS program leads.
• Coordinates with other Trueblood projects to include Forensic Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (FPATH),Outpatient Competency Restoration Program (OCRP), the Forensic Navigators (FN), Crisis Housing Vouchers (CHV), and others to provide effective case management services and care coordination.
• Collaborate with tribal communities, UIHP non-Tribal IHCPs and staff, and other tribal behavioral health programs.
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation of client contacts, care coordination, and service delivery in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, in accordance with Federal, State, County, and program requirements under the clinical supervisor’s direction. Collects data and prepares reports in alignment with agency standards and required timelines.
• Maintains referral, requisition, vendor forms, and other required documentation for FHARPS participants and program compliance. Accurately tracks and records funds distributed on behalf of participants in a timely manner.
• Collaborates, consults, and works under the supervision of the FHARPS Program Supervisor.
• Maintains physical security of confidential materials and assigned equipment.
• Promotes best practices in treatment approaches, support systems, and interventions.
• Demonstrates the OHRS mission, purpose, values, and beliefs in everyday language and contact with internal and external stakeholder.
• Performs related work, special projects or other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• TMBH-ASO/OHRS provides comprehensive benefits for full-time employees including medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options), and life insurance and disability insurance options. Eligible employees participate in WA State PERS retirement plans and employees may elect additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options. Employees receive a PTO package earning a minimum of 140 hours annually and 12 paid holidays. Other tax deferred options include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) .
• OHRS is an approved Public Student Loan Forgiveness employer. We pay the fees for required DOH licenses for the position, and we offer annual professional development funds.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level