Mental Health Associate (Adult Mental Health Outpatient)

Job Overview

Location/Schedule: The position is located at the Woodland Park Health Center in NE Portland. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, typically 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Position: Mental Health Associate

Program: Adult Mental Health Outpatient

About Us: Cascadia Health delivers Whole Health Care™. We provide mental health services, addiction recovery support, primary care, wellness programs, permanent housing solutions, and affordable housing to people of all ages. Our mission is to promote hope and support the well-being of the communities we serve.

Position Summary: As a Mental Health Associate, you will be a key part of an interdisciplinary team, providing skills training, case management, and support to clients in both community and health center settings. This role is instrumental in Cascadia’s trauma-informed care approach, where you’ll help clients work toward treatment goals through skills training, case coordination, and participation in program objectives. This position requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively to create a strengths-based, client-centered experience for each individual. 

Responsibilities 

Conduct individual and group skills training as directed by client treatment plans. 

Provide case management, including completing paperwork for referrals and entitlements. 

Collaborate with clients’ treatment teams to ensure alignment with treatment plans. 

Implement evidence-based practices, including Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Motivational Interviewing. 

Maintain accurate electronic health records (EHR), and complete documentation related to treatment and client progress. 

Support crisis intervention following emergency protocols in coordination with the treatment team. 

Assist clients in participating in skill-building activities and accessing community resources. 

Qualifications 

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science field, or three years of professional experience working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness. 

Must qualify as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) per Oregon Administrative Rules, with certification from MHACBO. 

Preferred experience with adults experiencing severe and persistent mental illness. 

Proficient in report preparation and data entry for clinical documentation. 

Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, and ability to pass DMV and Defensive Driving checks. 

Experience: 

Relevant experience includes working with individuals coping with a serious mental illness.  

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: 

Possess a valid drivers license, three-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. 

Working Conditions:

Staff must have the ability to drive and be approved to provide transportation utilizing agency vehicles so that clients may access the community.

Staff must also have the ability to assist clients in participating in a variety of skill building outings as well as accessing community resources.

The Mental Health Associate must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all clients and staff in potentially volatile situations.

When the need arises, staff may be asked to perform non-violent physical interventions.

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. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, contact us at 503-963-7654.

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 Plan403(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 InsurancePaid Bereavement and Jury Duty LeaveLength of Service AwardVoluntary Life InsuranceSupplemental InsuranceStudent loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Bicycle ReimbursementDiscounted Fitness MembershipsTrauma Support Team

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

24

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25.09