Community Counselor III (Housing Outreach Team)

Community Counselor III (Housing Outreach Team)

Job Overview

Location: This position is located at our Garlington Health Center in NE Portland. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Position: Community Counselor III 

Program: Housing Outreach Team
 

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.
 

Position Description: The Community Counselor III will work on the Housing Outreach Team which provides home and community based services to participants, individuals and families, who experienced homelessness and have a mental health disability. Services are focused around supporting the participant and/or family to stabilize their housing, end their experience with homelessness, improve their health, and move forward in their mental health recovery. Through this program, participants will be assisted in obtaining income, medical care, and support systems in their community. This position involves participation and implementation of program goals and objectives to promote a strengths-based, client centered approach to assisting supportive housing program participants in achieving individual goals.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct mental health assessments, behavioral health assessments, and develop Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and Support Plans.
• Guide clients in setting goals and identify realistic steps to achieve them, using tools like Strengths Assessment.
• Provide individual and group therapy using evidence-based practices, including strengths-based counseling and motivational interviewing.
• Provide mental health services in the community, engaging with clients where they are to ensure accessibility and continuity of care.
• Support clients through crisis situations, offering interventions that ensure a trauma-informed environment.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic health records (EHR) and ancillary documentation in compliance with agency policies, local, state, and federal regulations, including HIPAA.
• Collaborate with internal and external providers to ensure coordinated care and advocate for clients to secure needed services.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with landlords, community partners, and other service providers.
• Assist clients in navigating the housing process, including finding housing, addressing barriers, and ensuring housing stability.
• Complete required housing and program documentation, including grant-specific paperwork and data entry.
• Work closely with other providers and support systems to ensure comprehensive treatment planning and continuity of care.
• Adhere to safety protocols, including emergency procedures, and demonstrate responsibility for the safety of clients and staff.
• Maintain professional boundaries, ethics, and respect for client rights.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision sessions, and training opportunities to develop professional skills and ensure ongoing compliance with training requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including driving to meet with clients in the community and providing practical support such as transportation.
   

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in behavioral science field from an accredited college or university. Demonstrate the competencies to become credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rulings (OARs); or credentialed through state licensing boards: Board of Licensed Socials workers, Board of Licensed Professional Counselors. Certification must be kept current and in compliance with OARs through MHACBO or respective licensing board.
• Three years of clinical experience providing inpatient or outpatient services is preferred.
• Experience working with individuals