Mental Health Clinician

Our Mission: Lutheran Community Services Northwest partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope.
About Us Lutheran Community Services Northwest is a non-profit human services agency that improves lives of people in communities throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
We provide a wide variety of services to adults, adolescents, children, families, schools and communities.
We are privileged to touch lives of all ages, cultures and faiths.
Our Mission: Lutheran Community Services Northwest partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope.
About Us: Lutheran Community Services Northwest is a non-profit human services agency that improves lives of people in communities throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
We provide a wide variety of services to adults, adolescents, children, families, schools and communities.
We are privileged to impact the lives of all ages, cultures, and faiths.
Our Columbia Basin offices provide Intensive Behavioral Health programs for Medicaid Youth under the age of 21.
Position Summary: A WISe Mental Health Clinician works with youth and families enrolled in the WISe program and functions as a core member of a collaborative care team.
The Mental Health Clinician provides mental health services, incorporating evidence-based practices that focus on the strengths of youth and families served, and partners with youth, family, natural supports and other community service providers to promote safe, stable and healthy families.
This position provides community-based services, including meetings occurring in the family’s home or community setting of their choice.
This position requires the ability to work flexible hours including evenings.
Individuals in this position may optionally participate in 24/7 On-Call availability on a rotating basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The primary duties and responsibilities of the WISe Mental Health Clinician include, but are not limited to: 1.
Maintain a caseload of up to 25 youth and their families.
2.
Provide culturally appropriate, trauma-informed mental health services, including individual, group, and family treatment, to youth and families with complex needs.
3.
As a member of a WISe team, the Mental Health Clinician works in close collaboration with Care Coordinators and Parent /Youth Partners to identify goals, assess strengths and needs, and coordinate access to community resources.
4.
Attend and participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings.
When unable to attend, the clinician will provide the Care Coordinator with updates on progress and other relevant information in advance.
5.
Conduct mental health screenings and assessments to determine treatment needs.
6.
Facilitate youth/family participation in the development of strengths based treatment plans and implement goals and objectives identified on the WISe Cross Systems of Care Plan.
7.
Deliver clinical services using evidenced based practice models.
8.
Identify potential barriers to participation such as transportation needs and work schedules.
Collaborate with the youth, family, and other team members to identify solutions to remove barriers and meaningfully engage the youth and family in treatment.
9.
Flexibly schedule therapy sessions with the youth and family to meet their needs for frequency, date/time, and location.
10.
Approach responsibilities with a high degree of flexibility, including the ability to shift quickly from various tasks based on the needs of the youth and family.
11.
Maintains strong working relationships with outside agencies, i.
e.
medical clinics, hospitals, DCYF, schools and other agencies, as appropriate, to ensure continuity of care for individuals served.
12.
Monitor the individual’s risk to self, others, property and grave disability.
Communicate safety concerns immediately to all WISe team members and take appropriate steps based on agency policy.
13.
Model and encourage direct, professional communication among staff members.
14.
Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity in the delivery of client services as it relates to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the populations served.
15.
Stay up to date in knowledge and skills in the field.
16.
Other duties as assigned by the Program Supervisor or designee.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: All staff employed in the WISe Program will adhere to the following standards of practice: 1.
Complete all progress notes and other documentation required for the youths’ medical record within the timelines outlined by LCSNW.
2.
Attend and participate in routinely scheduled department and agency staff meetings.
3.
Complete all required training.
4.
Model and encourage direct, professional communication and promote a positive work environment.
5.
Meet or exceed productivity expectations for the role.
6.
Recognize the value and strengths of all cultures and maintain a professional problem-solving attitude while dealing with cross-cultural challenges or conflicts.
7.
Function in accordance with the LCSNW personnel and administrative policies and procedures and administrative practices of the Columbia Basin office.
8.
Demonstrate and implement ethical decision making in accordance with the Columbia Basin office Ethics Training, provided upon hire QUALIFICATIONS: 1.
Knowledge, education, and training in the areas of human behavior and mental health; awareness of individual differences in ability, personality, and interest.
2.
Dependable, flexible, and punctual performance, including managing one's own schedule within a 37.
5 hour full time work week.
3.
Ability to work in an unstructured and unpredictable setting, ability to adapt to change 4.
A strong work ethic and a focus on serving youth and families.
5.
Able to work respectfully and cooperatively with a variety of persons, including coworkers, supervisors, community partners, the public, volunteers, and enrolled youth and their families.
6.
Able to stay calm and present in tense situations.
7.
Able to actively support and uphold the mission, beliefs, and values of Lutheran Community Services at all times.
8.
Proficient use of computer-based programs; preferred experience with Microsoft Office, Gmail and Google Calendar or similar web-based and computer programs.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: • Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field.
• 1-2 years experience working with At-Risk youth is preferred.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: • Obtain Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor Registration or related professional license (Within 60 Days) • CPR/First Aid (Within 90 Days) • Washington State CANS certification.
(Within 90 Days) • Clearance through the Washington State Patrol (background check) and verification of ability to work around vulnerable populations is necessary.
• Clearance of Motor Vehicle Report • Valid driver’s license, proof of Insurance and reliable transportation is required.
Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met/may be encountered by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is generally performed in a normal office environment and in community based sites, including schools and churches.
Travel to and from determined locations is required.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and write/type.
The employee is normally engaged in low-activity tasks such as sitting, standing, walking, running and non-competitive sports/ youth centered activities.
The work environment is typical of professional offices; the noise level is usually moderate.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Travel: In this role you will be required to travel throughout the Benton and Franklin Counties in Eastern Washington State.
Mileage reimbursement will be allocated monthly The Perks: We offer a full benefits package with options for medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage; employer-paid short and long-term disability, as well as life insurance.
Vacation includes up to 2 weeks in the first year.
Up to 2 weeks of Sick leave for you or to take care of your immediate family (based on hours worked).
12 Paid Holidays plus 2 Floating Holidays each year.
A 403(b) Retirement plan, with employer matching after meeting eligibility requirements.
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help and support you.
Staff potentially eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness program as a 501(c) 3 employer.
We thank all candidates in advance for their interest in joining the Lutheran Community Services Northwest team.
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
LUTHERAN COMMUNITY SERVICES NORTHWEST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND COMMITTED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCY.