Counselor III (Psychiatric Security Review Board - Pisgah)

Counselor III (Psychiatric Security Review Board - Pisgah)

Location/Schedule: This position is located at Pisgah, a licensed residential treatment facility in SE Portland, OR. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with a flexible start time of 8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., or 9:00 a.m. Each schedule reflects an 8-hour workday, ending at 4:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., or 5:30 p.m., respectively.

Position: Counselor III

Program: Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB)

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.

Program Description

Cascadia's psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) forensic and clinical programs offer diverse, strengths based, trauma-informed treatment services in our outpatient clinic setting, in the community, and in residential settings, to individuals mandated to treatment by the State of Oregon's PSRB. Services offered include individual therapy, case management, and crisis support. Additionally, we provide monitoring and supervision of the stipulations of conditions of release into the community issued by the PSRB. The goal of Cascadia's PSRB program is to promote the health, wellness, stability, and safety of the individual within the community. We offer continuum of care, which includes residential settings to living independently in the community.

Why PSRB? Our PSRB clients are individuals who are progressing through Oregon's Psychiatric Security Review Board system and generally living successfully in the community, yet the nature of the work is often misunderstood. In practice, PSRB services offer one of Cascadia's most structured and well-supported clinical settings. Clients are typically engaged in treatment, consistent in follow-through, and invested in their long-term progress. Expectations and workflows are clear, and the interdisciplinary team collaborates closely on decisions and care planning. Clinicians who join PSRB often find the work steady, purposeful, and closely aligned with Cascadia's mission, with opportunities to build meaningful therapeutic relationships and support clients through sustained growth.

Position Description

The Counselor III works in residential treatment facilities, homes, and clinical settings with individuals experiencing serious and persistent mental illnesses, substance use disorders and other health concerns. The Counselor III is responsible for writing mental health assessments and service plans, and will provide case management services, assist with intakes, discharges, and acquisition of entitlements or other benefits. They will also provide some individual and group therapy, as well as crisis intervention as needed. The facilities associated with the population being served have a wide range of levels of care provided, from semi-independent living to secure and enhanced care facilities.

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.

• Provide monitoring and supervision for clients under the jurisdiction of the PSRB and assist clients with developing and maintaining structured activities in accordance with their goals and the terms of their release into the community.
• Utilize a variety of evidence-based practices to deliver therapeutic services tailored to the needs of clients.
• Complete comprehensive behavioral health assessments, create individualized service plans, and maintain accurate and timely electronic health records (EHR).
• Work closely with other providers and support systems to ensure comprehensive treatment planning and continuity of care.
• Offer strengths-based case management and motivational interviewing in a variety of settings, including client's homes or other community venues, using assertive engagement techniques to meet clients where they are.
• Establish trusting relationships with clients to support self-advocacy, goal setting, and achievement of personal milestones.
• Establish and nurture collaborative relationships with community stakeholders to promote stability and continuity of care.
• Provide crisis intervention services and utilize de-escalation techniques to minimize the need for acute care and hospitalization.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation that ensures compliance with all agency policies and procedures and local, state, and federal regulations, and billing requirements.
• Support clients in obtaining necessary services and benefits, including medical, housing, and social services.
• Transport clients to appointments and community services using personal or agency vehicles.
• Engage in an on-call rotation to provide crisis intervention services as needed.
• Comply with laws, regulations, policies, and procedures under which the program and company operates.

Qualifications

Education:

• 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.

Experience:

• Clinical experience providing adult inpatient or outpatient mental health services is preferred.

Specialized Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to conduct a Mental Status assessment and formulate diagnosis according to the most recent DSM.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Must understand recovery model, motivational interviewing, illness management and recovery, evidence-based practices, and strength-based case management philosophies and strategies.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word & Excel).

Other:

• Possess a valid driver's license, minimum of one year driving history, ability to pass Driver Motor Vehicle (DMV) check and complete the Cascadia online Defensive Driving course (some programs).
• CPR Certification (training provided post-hire).

Working Conditions

• Environmental: Work is generally performed in an outpatient setting and occasionally in the community or residential treatment facility. Universal precautions should be taken due to exposure to disease, biohazards, noise, and contaminants.
• Operating Hours: Counselor III typically works general business hours, though may be required to respond to crises after hours or respond if designated as the counselor on-call for multiple programs. Schedules may vary depending on program.
• Mental: Meal periods and breaks may be interrupted. Constant awareness and alertness are critical to detect and address escalated, potentially volatile situations.
• Physical Demands: Activities and structure support community integration, assisting clients in continued growth for successful independent living. Employees must have the ability to assist clients to participate in a variety of activities, events, and excursions involving skills building and community integration. May need to be approved to provide transportation using agency vehicles to support client access to the community. Employees must have the ability to assist the team in providing safety to all clients and staff in potentially volatile situations.

Cascadia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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 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)
• Bike to Work Reimbursement
• Discounted Fitness Memberships
• Trauma Support Team

Starting Rate Range in USD