Mental Health Specialist 2 (underfill MHS1) - Juvenile Dept.

Marion County • Salem, OR

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Specialist role in Marion County’s Juvenile Department provides mental health assessment and treatment services to youth and families, including individual, family, and group counseling. Duties may take place in a variety of Juvenile Department contexts, including community-based sites. The Specialist conducts risk assessments, consults with staff about youth-specific care and interventions, connects youth and families with community resources, and collaborates with department staff and other providers. The Mental Health Specialist 2 classification also provides crisis assessment and intervention, intensive services for individuals and families with complex needs and diagnoses, and may develop and implement specific community services. The Mental Health Specialist 1 classification focuses on case management and counseling, recreational, social, and skills-training activities, and does not carry responsibility for developing and implementing specific community programs.

The position works under a supervisor who assigns work, establishes goals, and reviews results for overall effectiveness. Supervision of others is not a responsibility of the classification, although employees may assist in supervising practicum students or volunteers. The assignment is represented by a union and is full-time, eligible for overtime, and normally scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility depending on departmental and program needs. On-site work is required; remote work is not available.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in psychology, social work, recreational therapy, music therapy, art therapy, or a behavioral science field; OR a bachelor’s degree in nursing with an Oregon license; OR a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy with an Oregon license; OR second-year graduate student status with a waiver as a QMHP by the Oregon Health Authority.
• Mental Health Specialist 2 only: At least one year of full-time, post-master’s-degree experience in the behavioral health field.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, must be licensed by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors or Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers, or credentialed or registered through the Mental Health and Addiction Counseling Board of Oregon as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).
• Working knowledge of community mental health concepts or chemical-dependency case management and treatment services, individual assessment, treatment planning and protocols, mental health disorders, and diagnostic classifications.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships with employees, individuals and families, other agencies, and the public; prepare timely, concise, complete clinical documentation; collaborate as part of a team; and act professionally in accordance with ethics and confidentiality requirements.
• Maintain First Aid and CPR certification and Bloodborne training.
• May be required to pass a practical knowledge and skills assessment during the interview process.
• Finalist must pass a criminal-history background check, including fingerprinting, and a pre-employment drug screen, including marijuana testing.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States; complete Form I-9 within three days of hire. Marion County does not offer visa sponsorship.
• Physical capabilities include operating a motor vehicle; seeing with depth perception; sitting, standing, moving about the work area, and climbing one floor of stairs; operating a keyboard; lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying up to 15 pounds for up to 50 yards; rapid mental/hand/eye coordination; speaking clearly and audibly; reading 12-point font; and hearing normal speech.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with adolescents, particularly in a juvenile justice setting, for positions within the Juvenile Department.
• Post-master’s-degree experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health assessments and treatment, including individual, family, and group counseling in Juvenile Department settings, which may include community-based sites.
• Conduct mental health assessments, including diagnosis using the current DSM and treatment recommendations, and prepare written reports as required.
• Conduct suicide and self-harm risk assessments for youth in Detention and the Guaranteed Attendance Program, and for other department youth as assigned.
• Consult with staff about youth-specific levels of care and interventions; monitor and reassess care levels and adjust them as needed.
• Provide follow-up services, including contacting parents about safety plans and treatment recommendations.
• Connect youth with community resources and refer youth to the Psychiatric Crisis Center or hospital emergency department for further assessment when indicated; provide relevant mental health information to support care, including possible psychiatric hospitalization.
• Conduct drug and alcohol assessments using ASAM criteria when qualified and required.
• Assess youth’s risk of harm to others within the employee’s expertise and as assigned.
• Facilitate pro-social skill-building groups and, as required, conduct parenting classes and teach parenting skills in group settings.
• Consult with department staff about mental health issues affecting children, adolescents, and families.
• Collaborate with department staff in providing services to youth and families; participate in the Counseling Services team and department teams; assist with mental-health-related case planning and referrals.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and current records of client services; complete service-delivery and other required reports.
• Maintain positive, professional working relationships with coworkers, customers, and other agencies.
• Meet with a supervisor to assess duties and performance; participate in individual and group clinical supervision, team meetings, and case consultation.
• Comply with department and county policies, procedures, and regulations, applicable professional ethics codes, and relevant Oregon Revised Statutes; annually review and sign the Juvenile Department Code of Ethics.
• Maintain First Aid and CPR certification and Bloodborne training; attend staff meetings and annual mandatory Juvenile Department training.
• Communicate with Juvenile Department staff, community schools, other agencies, the public, and others who interact with Counseling Services.
• Provide staff development training as requested and perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Benefits

• Eligible for overtime.
• Full-time employees working at Marion County may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

What This Job Offers

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