Counselor 3

Job Overview

Location/Schedule: This position is based at Pearl House, a residential treatment facility located in Gladstone, OR, but additionally works across 3 other residential sites in the tri-county area. The schedule for this position is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Position: Counselor III 

Program: Residential Case Management 

Cascadia’s Mission and Vision:  

Mission: Cascadia Health delivers whole health care – integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing – to promote hope and support the well-being of the communities we serve. 

Vision: We envision a community where everyone benefits from whole health care, experiences well-being, and has a self-directed, connected life. 

Program Description: Cascadia operates several licensed residential treatment homes for adults experiencing mental health challenges. Our homes provide psychiatric treatment, personal care, skills training, and case management. Employees have an opportunity to provide services in a single staffed location or a location with multiple staff scheduled simultaneously. The goal is to prepare residents to live in a less restrictive environment. Referrals are accepted from counties and the state, typically for individuals leaving the state hospital. We operate sites in Multnomah County (N, NE, SE Portland) and Clackamas County (Oregon City, Gladstone).

Position Description: The Counselor III works as a member of an interdisciplinary team to implement and monitor treatment and co-ordinate care for residents within a clinic and/or residential facility, while supporting a Trauma Informed Care environment. With the high prevalence of trauma among individuals receiving mental health services, it is required the Counselor III understand the effects of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of the lives of those we serve.  This position involves participation and implementation of program goals and objectives to promote a strengths-based, client centered approach assisting residents in achieving individual goals, and ultimately transitioning to a less restrictive setting.   

Essential Responsibilities:

This position description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.  Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary.   

• Provide clinical interventions, coordination of care, and supportive counseling for residents. 

• Complete Behavioral Health Assessments, Treatment Plans and develop Behavioral Support Plan. If clinically appropriate, also completes Safety Plans and communicates with PSRB regarding monitoring of Conditions of Release. 

• Provide individual and/or group therapy/psycho-education in living skills, and support in areas such as self-care, community resources, recovery and wellness and life skills. 

• Provide monitoring and supervising for clients under the jurisdiction of the PSRB and assist clients with developing and maintaining structured activities in accordance with their goals and the terms of their release into the community.  

• Coordinate treatment and continuity of care with community stakeholders, guardians, and representatives from the legal system, housing, social security, hospital care, medical care, and other community based agencies in order to assist with the treatment needs of clients on case load.  

• Attend clinical staff meetings and residential staff meetings to gain knowledge and communicate program and resident needs.   

• Provide supportive counseling, track UAs, run therapeutic and psycho-educational groups, complete documentation and provide reports.  

• Provide consultation and collaboration with community partners including the County, and the PSRB. 

• Provide input on all relevant documentation and procedural requirements.  

• Check company email and facility log book each shift. 

• Coordinate with oncoming shift regarding resident concerns, building/program needs, and any issues relevant to ensure the smooth operation of the program 

• Provide input toward the therapeutic treatment plan in collaboration with the case manager. 

• Provide medication administration as delegated by a licensed medical practitioner. 

• Comply with and implement the regulations, policies and procedures under which the clinic and residential facilities operates.  

• Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that assures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.  Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation as required, associated with billing, assessment, treatment, client’s progress and other activities. 

• Respect and honor client’s rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.  

• Assist in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols/procedures and coordinating with the treatment team with interventions which support a trauma informed environment for residents and staff. Become certified to administer Director’s Custody and coordinate treatment with hospitals and the PSRB. 

• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of residents, staff and property; possess familiarity with fire regulations and evacuation procedures. 

• Adhere to mandatory abuse reporting laws and HIPAA requirements. 

• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis as indicated in the licensing requirements for the facility as well as agency requirements. Attend seminars, training and other educational opportunities in order to develop professional skills and abilities. 

• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings. 

• Remain awake on all shifts. 

Role Specific Responsibilities 

• Provide treatment and manage caseload. Identify and prioritize treatment plan goals with the client. Redefine goals as needed throughout treatment in order to obtain success. Continuously assess and measure progress toward treatment goals. Consultation with the Case Manager, Program Manager, Program Supervisor, and the Administrator On-Call is necessary in order to maintain treatment team communication. 

• Participate in the on-call rotation as instructed by program leadership. This requires being on call for crisis intervention, including receipt of telephone calls and the possibility of going to the program outside of working hours to intervene with crisis intervention services such as a revocation and an on-call rotation. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications  

Education: 

• A Master’s Degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university. The CADC credential is preferred in addition to a Master’s Degree given the high occurrence of substance use/abuse. Demonstrate the competencies as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP). Certification must be current and in compliance with the OAR’s. The CADC credential is preferred in addition to a Master’s Degree given the high occurrence of substance use/abuse. 

Experience: 

• Clinical experience providing inpatient or outpatient adult mental health services is preferred.  

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate a diagnosis according to the most current DSM 

• Must understand recovery model, motivational interviewing, illness management and recovery, evidence based practices, and strength based case management philosophies and strategies 

• Proficient in operating computer hardware and software (including EMR software) 

• Ability to enter and retrieve data and to prepare simple reports 

Other: 

• Possess a valid driver’s license, three year driving history; clean driving record, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course. 

• Able to perform CPR, First Aid, and properly use AED equipment.  CPR/ First Aid certifications are required and must remain current.   

Working Conditions 

Work is performed in a residential setting with staff onsite 24/7 to provide care, education, and assistance to those in need. The program incorporates Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing strategies through individual and group therapeutic services, as well as individualized and group basic life (cooking, housekeeping, budgeting) and social skills training. Daily routines may be hectic and will likely require the Counselor III to perform various site functions and  perform the tasks of other employees as needed.  Periodically, staff may be required to work a double shift if the need arises, due to the staffing requirements within each program. Meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for violent behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise and contaminants.   

Mental Demands: The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances in which outcomes may negatively affect costs, employee morale or clients.  The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach.  

Physical Demands: Activities and structure support community integration assist program residents in learning socially acceptable behaviors.   

Employee must be approved to provide transportation utilizing agency vehicles.  It is expected that this position work closely with residents so they may access the community which may include utilizing public transportation.   

The Counselor III must have the ability to assist residents in participating in a variety of active leisure and recreational events, as well as skill building outings and accessing community resources.  The employee must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all clients and staff in potentially volatile situations. 

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at 503.963.7654 or at [email protected]

This position is represented by a labor union.

Benefits

We offer generous benefits for our full-time and part-time employees (20 hours + pro-rated) including:

• Generous Paid Time Off Package Full-time employees earn 6 weeks of PTO in their first year!
• Medical and Dental Coverage (begins 1st of the month following 30 days after hire date)
• VSP Vision Discount Plan
• 403(B) Retirement Savings (Pre and post-tax plans with up to 8% employer matching contribution!)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (Medical, dependent care, and transportation options)
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Paid Bereavement and Jury Duty Leave
• Length of Service Award
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Student loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bicycle Reimbursement
• Discounted Fitness Memberships
• Trauma Support Team

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

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