Respite Worker Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

At New Directions Northwest in Baker City, our Crisis QMHPs are on the front lines of hope and healing. This critical role provides immediate support to individuals and families in their most challenging moments?offering assessment, intervention, and compassionate care when it matters most. As a Crisis QMHP, you have the opportunity to bring calm to chaos, help stabilize lives, and connect people to the services that can truly change their future.

New Directions Northwest is proud to offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive, team-centered work environment that values your expertise and dedication. We understand the intensity and importance of crisis work, which is why we prioritize professional growth, clinical support, and a healthy work-life balance for our staff.

If you?re driven by compassion, thrive under pressure, and want to make a meaningful impact in your community, New Directions Northwest in Baker City is the ideal place to continue your career as a Crisis QMHP.

Position Summary:

The Mobile Crisis Worker (QMHP) provides rapid, trauma-informed, and community-based crisis intervention to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises in accordance with OAR 309-019 and OAR 309-072. The position delivers 24/7 mobile crisis response services, including assessment, stabilization, de-escalation, and linkage to ongoing care.

In addition to field-based crisis response, the Mobile Crisis Worker conducts clinical assessments for individuals referred to the Crisis Respite Center (CRC) to determine clinical appropriateness for admission under OAR 309-035-0217. Once individuals are admitted, the QMHP provides ongoing mental health support services, progress monitoring, and discharge planning to ensure continuity of care and stabilization within the program.

The role requires strong clinical judgment, a collaborative approach, and adherence to trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally responsive care principles across both mobile crisis and respite settings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Mobile Crisis Response & Community-Based Intervention (OAR 309-072)

• Responds in person to community-based behavioral health crises within the timeframes and service standards defined in OAR 309-072-0140, ensuring access across urban, rural, and frontier regions.

• Conducts comprehensive crisis and risk assessments, develops safety and stabilization plans, and provides de-escalation and crisis counseling.

• Collaborates with dispatch, 988 lines, law enforcement, emergency departments, and community partners for coordinated crisis response.

• Provides linkage and follow-up to ensure continuity of care after crisis intervention.

• Maintains accurate documentation in compliance with OAR 309-019-0150 and agency policies.

Crisis Respite Center Assessment & Support (OAR 309-035-0217)

• Conducts admission screenings for individuals referred to the Crisis Respite Center to determine eligibility, clinical need, and safety considerations.

• Completes psychosocial assessments and coordinates with the Mobile Crisis Supervisor and program leadership for admission decisions.

• Provides ongoing mental health support services, including individual check-ins, group facilitation, medication support coordination, and safety monitoring for residents enrolled in crisis respite.

• Participates in the development and review of individualized service plans and discharge planning to ensure smooth transition back to community-based supports.

• Documents all services, progress, and discharge summaries in compliance with OAR 309-035-0217(10?12) and agency standards.

Coordination, Collaboration, and Continuity of Care

• Works collaboratively with outpatient providers, peer support specialists, primary care, and other behavioral health programs to ensure continuity and integration of care.

• Engages family members and natural supports as appropriate to promote stabilization and safety.

• Provides clinical consultation to peers, first responders, and community partners regarding behavioral health crisis management.

Documentation, Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Maintains timely and complete documentation for all mobile crisis and respite encounters.

• Ensures compliance with OHA reporting and data tracking requirements related to mobile crisis encounters, response times, and outcomes.

• Participates in internal and external audits, quality improvement initiatives, and required training.

Professional Conduct & Team Participation

• Participates in regular supervision, staff meetings, and multidisciplinary case reviews.

• Maintains QMHP credentials and continuing education in crisis intervention, risk assessment, and trauma-informed care.

• Demonstrates professionalism, ethics, and cultural responsiveness in all aspects of service delivery.

Required Qualifications:

• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) per OAR 309-019-0105(61); Master?s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or related field.

• Minimum 2 years of clinical experience providing crisis or emergency behavioral health services.

• Strong knowledge of OAR 309-019, OAR 309-072, and OAR 309-035-0217 governing behavioral health, mobile crisis, and crisis respite programs.

• Demonstrated competency in risk assessment, crisis intervention, and safety planning.

• Proficient in electronic health records and documentation standards.

• Valid Oregon driver?s license and reliable transportation required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing crisis services or clinical oversight within a Mobile Crisis Team or Crisis Respite setting.

• Bilingual and/or bicultural skills.

• Familiarity with law enforcement, hospital, and emergency response collaboration protocols.

Working Conditions:

• Requires in-person field response in varied community environments and onsite work at the Crisis Respite Center.

• May include evenings, weekends, and on-call rotation to ensure 24/7 crisis coverage.

• Work involves exposure to emotionally distressed individuals and requires strong self-regulation and safety awareness.