2334 - Counselor II, Enhanced Care (On-Call)

Description

This position will work at Cascadia's enhanced care facilities in SE and NE Portland. The position is on-call, with the incumbent being required to pick up a minimum of four shifts per month. 

Essential Function:

The Counselor II works collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment, providing skills training and psychosocial programming in the facility and in the community for persons with severe and persistent mental illness residing in an Enhanced Care 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 II understand the effects of trauma on health, coping, and other aspects of the lives of those we serve. The incumbent will work collaboratively with the Enhanced Care Facilities managers and supervisors; however direct supervision will be provided by a Program Manager at Cascadia. This position involves participation and implementation of program goals and objectives to promote a strengths-based, client-centered approach to assisting residents in achieving individual goals.

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. 

• Work collaboratively with the treatment team to develop and implement mental health treatment and behavior plans, with specific rehabilitation and behavioral interventions.
• Develop and maintain a therapeutic milieu.
• Assist the clients with their treatment plan goals. Adaptation of goals may occur throughout treatment in order to obtain success.  Consultation with the Program Manager, Clinical Coordinator, Counselor III, LMP and healthcare provider staff is necessary in order to maintain treatment team communication
• Integrate best practices into the day to day operations including; Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing. 
• Assist Qualified Mental Health Practitioners (QHMP) in developing and executing training and program goals as required.
• Provide psychosocial and rehabilitative programming including recreation and skill building groups appropriate for elderly, as well as younger physically disabled clients.
• Participate in individual and/or group outings and works with clients training in daily living skills, supervision, and support in areas such as self-care, hygiene, community resources, and other life skills as directed by the plan of care.
• Lead individualized rehabilitation interventions, such as emotional regulation skills, socialization and communication enhancement skills, anxiety reduction skills, etc.  
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with facility staff around client care and treatment issues.
• Actively participate in weekly staffing with the interdisciplinary team.
• Arrange for medical and psychiatric hospitalizations when indicated.
• Provide case management, assessment, planning, monitoring, linking and advocating.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of the aging process, physiological and psychological changes of aging, physical disability and psychotropic medications.
• Assist clients with identifying community resources and how to access them.
• Assist clients in Activities of Daily Living, consistent with definitions found within OAR 411-015-0005 (5)(a),(c),(d),(e),(f),(g) and (h), but is understood not to include (b) or “Hands-On” assistance.  Types of assistance to be provided will include cueing, monitoring, reassurance, redirection, set-up, stand-by and support.
• May supervise CADC interns if Counselor II is CADC II
• 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.  
• 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 associated with billing, assessment, treatment, client’s progress and other activities as required.
• Respect and honor client rights and responsibilities and demonstrate professional boundaries and ethics.
• Demonstrate responsibility for safety of consumers and/or residents, staff and property; is familiar 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.
• On-call incumbents provide relief to regular staff at either or all of the ECF sites. They require the ability to work a flexible schedule and must commit to working a minimum of 4 shifts a month.
• Float positions require the incumbent to fill shifts to meet FTE by using electronic scheduler or by contacting the programs of all Multnomah ECF programs (Riverside, Foster creek, Premier Living)
• Provide transportation to escort residents out in the community depending on shift working.
• Remain awake on all shifts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university.
• Must demonstrate the competencies as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA). Certification must be maintained current and in compliance with the OAR’s.

Experience:

Relevant experience includes working in a long term care facilities or residential settings and/or experience working with individuals coping with a serious mental illness. Experience working with older adults is a plus.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding of strength based case management philosophies and strategies
• Ability to implement recovery model, motivational interviewing, and illness management and recovery
• Ability to operate computer hardware and software (including Electronic Medical Record software) at a level needed to effectively perform job functions
• Knowledge of accepted treatment practice
• Ability to enter data and retrieve data and to prepare simple reports

Other:

Driving may be required at some of our locations.  If driving is required, incumbent must possess a valid driver’s license, a recent three consecutive year driving history; clean driving record, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course.

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

Physical demands:

Work includes activities and structure which support community integration and enhancement, while also assisting program residents in becoming more adapted to increasing independence within the larger community.  These are required to enhance behavioral and social repertoires within less structured community situations and settings. Staff must be approved to provide transportation utilizing agency vehicles so that residents may access the community.  Staff must also 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 Counselor II must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all residents and staff in a variety of community settings.  When the need arises, staff may be asked to perform limited assistance with activities of daily living, non-violent physical interventions, and assess emergent medical difficulties from a first aid perspective. 

• Occasionally stooping, lifting 20 to 50 lbs, climbing (stairs), crouching, reaching and running
• Regular sitting, Standing, walking, and Keyboarding
• Constant visual and auditory

Cascadia is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin or age.

Salary : $16 - $19