Mental Health Specialist (Sandy Health Centers)

Health, Housing and Human Services – Health Centers Behavioral Health
Mental Health Specialist 2 (Licensed):
Hourly/DOE: $42.919271 - $54.294868

Mental Health Specialist 1 (Unlicensed):
Hourly/DOE: $35.432637 - $44.991225

Clackamas County's Health Centers – Behavioral Health Clinics is seeking a motivated and adaptable Mental Health Clinician to provide assessment and treatment services. The clinician in this position should be licensed or eligible to obtain licensure. This position will join a team of clinicians in our Sandy Oregon clinic location.

The Mental Health Specialist classification provides a variety of advanced level professional treatment and program services to individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues primarily servicing Medicaid, Medicare, and uninsured populations of all ages, including children, teens, and adults.

Make a meaningful impact every day as a Mental Health Specialist with Clackamas County. In this role, you will provide compassionate, professional counseling and program services to individuals on their mental health journey. You’ll conduct assessments, create tailored service plans, deliver ongoing therapy, offer crisis support, and lead engaging therapy groups that foster growth and healing. You will manage a client caseload while collaborating with a skilled, multidisciplinary team to complete evaluations, treatment planning, and placement for clients. Your work will span one or more specialized programs, with opportunities to contribute across our clinics as needed. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and you will play an active role in fostering these values within our team, clinic, and county.

We are seeking candidates who bring cultural awareness, an anti-racist perspective, and a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion. Successful applicants will have engaged in personal reflection and growth in their equity journey, and will be dedicated to delivering equitable, culturally responsive services to our community. They will foster an open, collaborative, and respectful environment while serving our diverse populations. Mental Health Specialists provide outpatient care to vulnerable individuals, many of whom have limited resources, and should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a supportive team.

Roles and Responsivities

Conducts interviews with clients and collects information necessary to complete comprehensive assessments, including mental health evaluations, risk assessments, and evaluations on disorders (e.g., psychiatric, developmental, functional, substance abuse). Develops diagnostic impressions and determines service needs; completes documentation per agency and state requirements.
Develops and implements treatment plans; determines appropriate treatment, skills training, and care service needs; matches client needs with available services/resources; refers clients to internal and external providers to meet needs.
Monitors client progress during treatment; writes treatment progress notes; maintains both electronic and paper case records in accordance with OARs and agency procedures; completes program-related assignments as required.
Coordinates with internal and external health care providers and social service personnel to obtain services for clients or assist in problem-solving; consults with other staff as assigned; meets with community agencies as needed to coordinate care and meet client needs.
Coordinates and consults on the client’s behalf with family, providers, public/private agencies, law enforcement, justice system, and schools; responds to emergencies; negotiates resolution of problems to maximize treatment goals.
Provides individual, group, and family therapy, as well as other therapeutic interventions to clients and significant family members per the treatment plan to meet client needs; includes providing drug/alcohol use tests (e.g., urinalysis, breathalyzer).
Works closely with other agency providers such as physicians, psychiatrists, therapists, and case managers) to evaluate, treat, and plan with clients for appropriate care.

Required Qualifications:

Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as established by the Oregon Administrative Rules by time of hire.
- A” Qualified Mental Health Professional" (QMHP) means a Licensed Medical Provider or any other person meeting one or more of the following minimum qualifications as authorized by the Local Mental Health Authority or designee: Graduate degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or in a behavioral science field
If Licensed, must be credentialed as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Psychologist (PsyD/PHD) AND a minimum of two (2) years of related experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the responsibilities of this position.
If Unlicensed, must have minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills to perform the duties of the role AND must also receive licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Psychologist (PsyD/PHD) within three (3) years of hire.
Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance abuse issues
Must possess and maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate
Must successfully pass the credentialing process

Preferred Qualifications

Current Licensure as a LCSW, LPC, LMFT, or PsyD/PHD
The ability to complete 60 documented hours of alcohol and drug training, if licensed, or current CADC or ability to obtain a CADC within 2 years of hire
Experience working with Evidence Based Treatment Practices
Experience facilitating therapy groups
Ability to perform concurrent (collaborative) documentation/charting with clients
Fluent in Spanish/English, both oral and written

Pre-Employment Requirements

Must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. Learn more about the County's drug testing policy.
Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check
Driving is necessary for County business. For position(s) with occasional/incidental driving, incumbents must possess a valid driver's license. Accommodation requests for an acceptable alternative method of transportation will be reviewed on an individual basis in compliance with State and Federal legislation. For position(s) with regular driving, incumbent(s) must also possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County's driving policy

Hours and Duration

This position works up to 40.0 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Friday.

Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework subject to the Clackamas County Teleworking Policy and based on the Department’s business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington.
Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.

How To Apply

Please complete the Clackamas County Temporary Application (a resume or cover letter is not required but can be included).
Submit to Candia Hills at Chills@clackamas.us
Position will be open until filled.
If requesting veterans preference points under eligibility criteria of ORS 408.230-408.235, please submit supporting documentation to jobs@clackamas.us. When submitting documentation please reference the posting job title and department in your email.

For more information, please feel free to reach out to Candia Hills by phone at 503-722-6922 or email at chills@clackamas.us