Job Description

Counselor III (Urgent Walk-in Clinic)

Location/Schedule This position is based within the urgent walk-in clinic at our Plaza Health Center, located in SE Portland, OR. This is an on-call/per diem position for all shifts. Employees must work a minimum of 12 shifts per quarter.

Position: Counselor III

Program: Urgent Walk-in Clinic (UWIC)

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.

The Counselor III, UWIC provides risk assessment and crisis stabilization planning for adults and children in Multnomah County. This position is responsible for providing and coordinating a wide range of supportive and therapeutic mental health services to ensure the best possible treatment for individuals served.

This position must understand, appreciate, and respect the differences within our Cascadia community. As such, it is expected that this position promotes integrated care, our vision of trauma-informed and person-first approaches and helps create a work environment of acceptance.

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.

General

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential harm to self or others, utilizing clinical interviews and relevant collateral information.
• Evaluate intervention options by clearly outlining potential outcomes, risks, and benefits, and document rationale for chosen clinical decisions.
• Provide on‑site crisis response, risk assessment, and safety planning for adults and children in Multnomah County experiencing mental health crises.
• Coordinate care with internal team members, including supervisors, program managers, medical directors; and collaborate with external service providers throughout Multnomah County to support crisis response and stabilization.
• Provide assessment dispositions to treatment providers and emergency departments, ensuring timely and accurate communication of clinical findings.
• Initiate involuntary holds when clinically appropriate and complete all required legal and clinical documentation.
• Offer information, support, and linkage to mental health treatment and other social services to promote ongoing stabilization and care engagement.
• Perform crisis assessments, complete enrollment paperwork, and ensure all documentation meets organizational and regulatory standards.
• Apply Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) practices in alignment with Cascadia and program-level implementation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Comply with and implement regulations, policies, and procedures under which the department operates.
• Assist in crisis situations as appropriate, following emergency protocols and procedures.
• Document and maintain electronic health record (EHR) and ancillary records in a manner that ensures compliance with all agency policies, program procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Understand fire regulations and evacuation procedures; participate in regular safety drills in compliance with department policies and procedures.
• Adhere to federal regulations of Alcohol and Drug information, 42CFR Part 2, mandatory abuse reporting laws, and HIPAA regulations for client confidentiality.
• Complete annual employee training requirements on a timely basis.
• Participate in all scheduled staff meetings, supervision sessions, and other departmental and agency meetings.

Qualifications

Education:

Required: Must have a master’s degree in a behavioral science field from an accredited college or university. Demonstrate the competencies to become credentialed as a QMHP as outlined in the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR). Certification must be current and in compliance with the OAR’s. Must meet the requirements to be credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) through MHACBO.

Experience:

Preferred: Three years of clinical experience providing inpatient or outpatient services.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effective communication and active listening skills.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work proactively and effectively in a team as well as independently.
• Knowledge of HIPAA/42CFR regulations.
• Conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate a diagnosis according to the most current DSM.
• Advanced knowledge of risk assessment and crisis intervention.
• Understand evidence-based practices, and strength-based case management philosophies and strategies including trauma informed care.
• Operate computer hardware and software at a level needed to effectively perform job functions, including the ability to operate Electronic Health Record software.

Other:

• Must have the ability to travel to multiple locations throughout the Portland Metro area.
• Must have the ability to perform CPR and properly use AED equipment. BLS certification training will be provided within the first 60 days of hire for client-facing staff, and CPR certification training will be provided within 120 days for all other staff. Certification must remain current.

Working Conditions

Environmental: This role is centered on direct client and community engagement; it is designed for in-person work and does not include hybrid or remote work options. Work is performed in one or more of the following: administrative office, clinical office, acute care settings and community setting including client residences, correctional facilities, shelters, hospitals, public places and other social service sites. Meal periods and breaks are subject to interruption. Universal Precautions and remaining alert to the environment are critical to address the potential for aggressive behavior, exposure to disease, biohazards, noise, and contaminants.

Mental Demands: The work assigned is diverse and involves addressing new and unusual circumstances. The work regularly involves a degree of unpredictability and disruption of planned tasks requiring a flexible time management approach. In addition, this position requires exercising sound judgment.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 Plan
• 403(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 Insurance
• Paid Bereavement and Jury Duty Leave
• Length of Service Award
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• Student loan forgiveness options

Wellness Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bicycle Reimbursement
• Discounted Fitness Memberships
• Trauma Support Team

Starting Rate Range in USD ($)

$33.82 - $36.23