Mental Health Engagement Specialist - Youth & Adult Services (JTC)

Frontier Behavioral Health’s presence in Spokane is more than 100 years strong, allowing our non-profit organization to understand the varied needs of our clients and the larger community.  Our programs are designed to provide evidence-based treatment to adults, youth and seniors who are dealing with a wide range of behavioral health issues.  As a Trauma-Informed Care Organization, we firmly believe in recovery and that our clients can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to assist them in their journey.  If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of others come join us!

WHY CHOOSE FRONTIER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?

• At Frontier Behavioral Health, we value our employees and recognize the importance of EVERY employee’s contribution to our mission.

• Our behavioral health services make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve and contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life for everyone in Spokane County.

• At FBH we have a variety of client services, including outpatient, inpatient, community outreach, crisis services, partnerships with schools, law enforcement and more.

• Our evidence-based, culturally appropriate, trauma informed behavioral health services address the diverse needs of those we serve.

YOUTH AND ADULT SERVICES (YAS)

Frontier Behavioral Health Outpatient Youth and Adult mental health services intend to improve and/or reduce symptoms and resolve situational disturbances for clients in the areas of relational, occupational and/or vocational concerns. Outpatient mental health services are provided by Mental Health Professionals (MHP) who have documented coursework, continuing education, and/or training that specifically address client therapy theories and techniques. Treatment is a voluntary collaborative partnership with the client and may include family, or others (at the client’s request) who play a direct role in assisting to establish and/or maintain daily life stability.  Services are congruent with the age, individualized strengths and cultural framework of clients. Some examples are listed below:

• Individual Therapy – Individual Treatment is insight oriented, behavioral modifying and/or supportive psychotherapy for the development of insight or affective understanding. Behavior modification techniques, supportive interactions, cognitive discussion of reality, or any combination of the above are used to provide therapeutic change. Services meet the ongoing assessment, facilitation, care coordination and advocacy for options and services to meet client needs.
• Group Therapy - Group Therapy is provided in a group setting and assists in attaining objectives described in the client’s care plan.
• Family Therapy - Provides family-centered interventions to identify and address family dynamics and build competencies to strengthen family functioning, in relationship to the client. The client is not required to be present; however, the service must be for the benefit of attaining the goals identified in the client’s treatment plan. The client may or may not be present.
• Peer Support Services - Peer counseling is provided by certified Peer Support Specialists who have met state requirements, taken the approved class, and passed the state test. Duties of a peer counselor are based on the effectiveness of assistance and support from people with shared life experience and are living in recovery. Peer counselors use their own stories in helping others develop hope and improve their lives.
• Child and Family Services - Provides an array of mental health and behavioral interventions to children, adolescents and their families who need additional help or support. Treatment may be brief, episodic, and solution-focused or provided for a lengthier period of time when emotional and behavioral issues are complex and significantly impair functioning.

The Mental Health Engagement Specialist (MHES) provides assistance and support to clients by working collaboratively with Peer Support Specialists, Mental Health Care Providers and Mental Health Clinicians. MHES may maintain a reduced caseload of approximately 30 clients and provide clinical behavioral health services in the following important life domains: health, education, employment, social/family, cultural, recreation, spirituality/religion, and housing. These services will be provided with a client-centered, trauma-informed approach aligned with the clinician model and the recovery model to support clients’ progress toward established goals and objectives. Services are provided to individuals of all ages in virtual, office, or community-based settings. Services include but are not limited to sleep hygiene, mindfulness, emotional regulation, psychoeducation about diagnosis and treatment, referrals to community resources (e.g. housing), cognitive coping, behavioral activation, communication basics, administering mental health measures and providing feedback, coordinating of care (e.g. discharge planning, collaboration with other providers), crisis assessment and intervention, identifying strengths and values, and groups. MHES provide backup and response services for unplanned client needs as well as management of incoming clients and their scheduled program orientations. Assistance and support include but is not limited to engagement, supportive listening, psychoeducation, skill building, crisis assessment, prevention and intervention, resource education and referral and short term follow up with individuals of all ages in office or community-based settings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES includes but are not limited to the following:

1. Provide episodic, trauma-informed, person-centered counseling utilizing evidence-based practices within scope of practice.

2. Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with; clinical, administrative and support staff, community partners, clients, and family/natural supports.

3. Maintain client records and all other required documentation in a timely and confidential manner, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

4. Be the primary care team member for clients who are in the process of enrollment or who currently enrolled and receiving ongoing services.

5. Facilitate and co-facilitate client treatment and orientation groups.

6. Provide services and support to clients prior to their first outpatient appointment.

7. Conduct risk assessments, develop and implement safety plans, and provide crisis intervention and stabilization services as needed, including facilitating access to inpatient facilities for behavioral health care.

8. Assist clients with developing and implementing safety plans and facilitating access to inpatient facilities for behavioral health care.

9. Complete and review suicide and homicide risk assessments and when risk is indicated, review with a supervisor to determine the level of response needed to maintain the safety of the client or others and implement safety plans and interventions.

10. Provide care coordination services to clients including:

• Identify and include the client’s support network in care coordination.
• Assist clients in identifying and accessing resources.
• Provide employment and housing assistance as appropriate and necessary.

11. Comply with all state WAC requirements and FBH policies and procedures.

12. Perform FBH charting requirements, correspondence, HRIS, and other paperwork in a complete and timely manner.

13. Participate in required staff meetings, including regular supervision and weekly clinical staff meetings.

14. Operate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

15. Requires travel to see clients in the community and travel between work sites.

16. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL HAVE:

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Must apply for a Counselor Agency Affiliated – Registered credential from the WA State Department of Health within 30 days of hire.
• Must have an unrestricted and valid driver’s license, active car insurance and must be willing to use their personal vehicle in the course of work. 
  

PREFERRED:

• One year of experience working with people with a psychiatric impairment.
• Experience with crisis intervention.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Washington Administrative Codes and statutes pertaining to the treatment and delivery of mental health services.
• Must possess excellent communication skills, including the ability to send and receive oral and written messages, in a clear, positive, prompt, and appropriate manner, while maintaining customer confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to apply active listening techniques conveying respect, professionalism, engagement skills, positive attitude, and empathy.

PHYSICAL, SENSORY & ENVIRONMENTAL:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position provided client services in-office and within the community at large on a occasional to frequent basis. Community settings include but are not limited to residences, group/congregate living settings, hospitals, shelters, the streets or anywhere in the community at large.
• Some environments may not be ideal in terms of cleanliness or being habitable.
• Occasional frequent travel between locations is required.
• The ability to drive a vehicle, traverse distances up to several city blocks and on various terrains, navigate stairs, get in and out of vehicles frequently is required.
• Daily use of a computer is required.
• May be required to lift 10 - 20 pounds. 
• Blood-borne Pathogen Category III - No predictable exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

PAY RANGE (Hourly/ Non-Exempt): $25.14 -$28.29

• All pay is based on longevity at Frontier Behavioral Health; thus, the starting pay for this position is $25.14 per hour.
• This position is eligible for quarterly productivity incentives.

Our Benefits and Perks are Amazing!

​WE BELIEVE IN WORK LIFE BALANCE:

• Paid Time Off – Employees accrue up to 26 days of PTO in the first year of employment!

• Plus 9 Paid Federal Holidays!

• Sick Leave – Extended Sick Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Time.

• Some positions qualify for a Compressed Workweek option resulting in up to additional 26 days off per year.

BENEFITS:www.fbhwa.org/careers/benefits 

• Medical, Dental and Vision

• Retirement – We offer an impressive 403b plan including standard 3% employer contribution plus an additional 3% employer match.

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Life Insurance – Company paid coverage that starts the first of the month following 6 months from your date of hire.

PERKS:www.fbhwa.org/careers/perks 

• Signing Bonus!

• No-cost licensure supervision for those pursuing clinical licensure.

• Federal and State Loan Forgiveness Program for qualifying Programs.

• Reimbursement of License/Certification application fee that is required for the position.

• Free Employee Assistance Program

• Staff Discounts at various FBH partners throughout Spokane!

Benefits described above are based on employees who hold .5 FTE positions or greater and/or some benefits vary based on FTE. PRN positions are not benefit eligible or eligible for a sign on bonus.