Competency Restoration Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Olympic Health and Recovery Services is a dynamic organization serving the most vulnerable in our communities. Join us in our mission to  provide access to an effective, reliable safety net of behavioral health crisis and recovery support services throughout our region. We take pride in our staff that come to work with us and are seeking a Mental Health Professional with a passion for supporting individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders who are at risk of incarceration.

The Forensic Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (FPATH) Mental Health Professional (MHP) acts as a first point of contact for individuals referred by the Diversion Navigators.  FPATH provides outreach and engagement to connect people to services who are at risk of referral for Competency Evaluations.  FPATH is a voluntary, person-centered, low-barrier, assertive and intensive case management program for individuals identified as at risk for needing additional Competency Restoration Services. This position serves as the program lead and works to build relationships with eligible people in the community and help connect them with supports including housing, basic needs, Behavioral Health, and health care to reduce the likelihood of future criminal legal system and Competency Services involvement and aim to increase long-term stability and wellness. 

Salary Range: $38.10 - $46.01 per hour DOE.  

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.  

Benefits

TMBH-ASO/OHRS provides comprehensive benefits for full-time employees including medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options), and life insurance and disability insurance options.  Eligible employees participate in WA State PERS retirement plans and employees may elect additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options.   Employees receive a PTO package earning a minimum of 140 hours annually and 12 paid holidays.  Other tax deferred options include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) .

OHRS is an approved Public Student Loan Forgiveness employer.  We pay the fees for required DOH licenses for the position, and we offer annual professional development funds.

Major Responsibilities

• Performs mental health screenings and assessments of individuals as part of their intake into the FPATH program.
• Creates release and recovery plans and provides ongoing care coordination.
• Coordinates with Trueblood Clinicians and Peer Support Specialists for warm hand-off and care coordination. 
• Conducts outreach, in-reach, and engagement with FPATH eligible referrals and FPATH participants.  
• Conducts regular community-based street and/or encampment outreach in partnership with existing PATH programs, Homeless Continuum of Care organizations, or other local programs that locate, enroll, and/or engage FPATH eligible referrals and FPATH participants.
• Conducts regular in-reach to local jails, hospitals, crisis facilities, court systems, and additional agencies to locate, enroll, and/or engage FPATH eligible referrals and FPATH participants. 
• Builds rapport with FPATH eligible referrals and completes enrollment into FPATH program if/when the participant consents to services.
• Provides intensive case management services to FPATH enrolled participants to include completing assessment of needs, developing a person-centered goal/service plan, supporting participant with achieving their goal/service plan, and connected enrolled participants to resources and services that provide social determinants of health. 
• Provides voluntary, person-centered, low-barrier, assertive intensive case management to program participants at risk for needing additional Competency Restoration Services. 
• Develops relationships with available community resources and provides coordination, support and advocacy services to program participants and their families facing a variety of challenges. These challenges may include a history of homelessness, chronic mental, behavioral or other health issues, legal challenges and/or substance abuse issues. 
• Develops and maintains partnerships with local behavioral health, housing, and healthcare agencies to streamline referrals to additional services and enhance a Continuum of Care for eligible participants.
• Records EHR (Electronic Health Record) recordkeeping items.

Experience & Education

• Master's degree or further advanced degree in counseling or one of the social sciences from an accredited college or university.
• Qualifies as mental health professional with WA State Department of Health.
• Licensed, or associate license, as a mental health counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist, or licensed agency affiliated counselor or equivalent with Washington state department of health.
• Two (2) or more years professional experience providing services to individuals with Behavioral Health or Substance Use Disorders. Any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills and ability required to perform the essential job functions may be considered.
• Experience working with individuals involved with the criminal justice system preferred.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer with applicable software to successfully perform essential job functions of the position including word processing, spread sheet, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking.
• Current Washington State Driver's License, proof of insurance, and satisfactory drivers record that meets insurance coverage requirements.
• Satisfactory criminal background clearances and excluded party sanctions required.

• Must be able to obtain clearance at Thurston County Jail, Mason County Jail, Nisqually Jail, and Western State Hospital.

Skills & Abilities

• Familiarity and knowledge of competency restoration services.
• Ability to utilize the Recovery Model, Evidence Based Practices, and effectively engage with program participants.
• Ability to utilize various skills, methodologies, and approaches including motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, harm reduction approach.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care for people with complex needs.
• Familiarity and knowledge of best practices for alcohol/drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, mental health and developmental disabilities programs as well as with local social service agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries, trusting and supportive relationships as well as provide inspiration and motivation to individuals transitioning toward recovery.
• Ability to accurately meet documentation requirements, client encounters documented within 24 business hours.
• Ability to document all client interaction utilizing DAP style documentation accurately and efficiently including assessments and dispositions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and/or cultures.
• Ability to write clear and concise clinical documents, reports, and correspondence.
• Experience working with community providers and coordination with varied agency partners.
• Ability to adhere to strict deadlines, including data entry submissions.
• Ability to foster collaboration and teamwork with program participants, other staff, Corrections Facility staff and outside agencies.
• Ability to respectfully manage differences, opposing perspectives, opinions and interests.
• Ability to apply organizational efficiency, and proficiency in prioritizing work assignments.
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to change.
• Strong critical thinking skills, ability to conceptualize and implement creative solutions.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal government policy, regulations and decision-making process.

Working Conditions

• Primarily works in an office setting and provides services at the Thurston and Mason County Corrections Facilities and Nisqually Jail, and in the community with travel to local meetings.
• Conducts outreach in community-based settings and/or street encampments. Community-based setting are subject to weather conditions.
• Conducts in-reach to local jails, hospitals, crisis facilities, and court facilities.
• Regular, on-site, predictable attendance is required.
• May be required to transport participants by fleet vehicle.
• Moderate physical exertion is required. May be required to sit, stand, squat, walk short to moderate distances on uneven terrain, walk up and down stairs, lift or move boxes/equipment weighing up to 25 lbs.