Mental Health Specialist II - AIS

Coos Health & Wellness•Coos Bay, OR

12d•$6,461 - $7,558

About The Position

The Mental Health Specialist II works in a team-based environment to provide community behavioral health crisis intervention, screening, and assessment services. The role engages individuals in appropriate evidence-based practices, delivers brief solution-focused treatment to improve patient outcomes, and promotes behavioral health wellness through organizational and educational efforts. The specialist provides direct clinical services, including mental health assessments, individual or group therapy as indicated by treatment plans, eligibility screening, crisis intervention, and stabilization. The role coordinates safety and risk evaluations and responds to crises in clinic and community settings, including crisis-line and walk-in responses during office hours. The specialist may respond alongside law enforcement and other agencies. Using a solution-focused, client-centered, and strength-based approach, the specialist supports individuals in pursuing recovery goals, accessing benefits and services, and using natural supports. The position contributes to team-based crisis management, applies motivational interviewing and stage-appropriate interventions, and provides behavioral health consultation within clinical scope. It also coordinates with community partners, hospitals, and law enforcement, completes training and activities related to Civil Commitment standards, and maintains applicable professional, legal, ethical, and confidentiality standards. The position requires timely clinical documentation and records that meet applicable State, Federal, Regional, and departmental requirements. Documentation includes clinical formulations and provisional diagnoses, psychosocial and diagnostic assessments, recovery-oriented treatment plans with measurable objectives, and organized progress notes. The specialist represents the behavioral health program in the community, promotes community education, uses the computer medical record system and newer office technologies, and maintains departmental productivity standards. The specialist may provide in-service training and support community groups, and may assist Adult or Youth clinical programming as needed for departmental coverage and cross-training. The work is generally in a typical office setting, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Therapists participate in an on-call coverage pool for after-hours crisis services and may be asked to work past 5:00 p.m. to cover alternative shifts. Travel may be required within the county, with infrequent travel within the state. Regular and consistent attendance is required.

Requirements

Must be a Qualified Mental Health Professional or eligible.
A master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or another behavioral health-related field; alternatively, a bachelor's degree in nursing or occupational therapy with a license and experience.
Thorough knowledge of techniques and principles concerning psychological, behavioral, and social disorders and the application of psychological treatment to these disorders.
Skill in working with people with mental illness and their families, and in working with the public to advocate for people who are mentally and emotionally disturbed.
Ability to develop cooperative relationships with families, physicians, agency personnel, executives, and public officials.
Ability to participate in diagnostic and treatment planning conferences.
Ability to prepare concise and complete reports and patient records.
Ability to participate in social planning and carry out recommendations and directives.
Good time-management skills and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Good clinical writing and composition skills.
Ability to accept supervision and adhere to County and Department policies.
Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with other employees, maintain a positive attitude, and represent the County and Department positively in the community.
Regular and consistent attendance.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of postgraduate experience providing clinical behavioral health services is preferred.
CADC is a plus.
Bilingual ability is a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide mental health assessments, individual or group therapy as indicated by treatment plans, service eligibility screening, crisis intervention, and stabilization.
Coordinate safety and risk evaluations, interventions, and stabilization in clinic and community settings.
Respond to crisis-line and walk-in needs during office hours and, when needed, respond in the community with law enforcement or other agencies.
Use solution-focused, client-centered, and strength-based approaches to support clients' recovery goals and help them access benefits and services.
Support team-based crisis management using multidisciplinary approaches and flexibility.
Implement approaches that utilize and enhance consumers' natural supports.
Apply motivational interviewing principles and provide stage-appropriate interventions.
Provide behavioral health and patient consultation to other health care or social professionals within clinical scope.
Coordinate with community partners, local hospitals, and law enforcement to connect individuals with resources and interventions.
Complete training and activities related to Civil Commitment standards.
Maintain professional, legal, and ethical standards, including confidentiality, dual relations, and informed consent.
Prepare clinical documentation, reports, and records that meet State, Federal, Regional, and departmental standards, including formulations, provisional diagnoses, assessments, treatment plans, and timely progress notes.
Represent the comprehensive behavioral health program in the community and promote community interest and education in behavioral health.
Learn and use the computer medical record system and newer office technologies.
Maintain productivity standards set by departmental policy.
May provide in-service training for staff and other professional disciplines.
May support community groups and organizations in enhancing consumer recovery.
Assist Adult and Youth clinical groups periodically as needed by the department and for cross-training.
Maintain regular and consistent attendance.
Participate in the on-call coverage pool and may work past 5:00 p.m. to cover alternative shifts.
Travel within the county and infrequently within the state as required.