Mental Health Counselor (QMHA) | ACT | Central City Concern
Join our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team delivering high-impact, community-based care to individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness and co-occuring substance use challenges. This is hands-on, relationship-driven work that changes lives...every single day.
The Mental Health Counselor works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing intensive case management and integrated dual diagnosis treatment. The team works to address all treatment needs, including crisis management, substance abuse treatment, medication management, physical health treatment, mental health treatment, accessing benefits and entitlements, accessing appropriate and affordable housing.
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm (Saturday & Sunday Off)
Location: Old Town Recovery Center (33 NW Broadway, Portland, OR 97209)
Compensation:
- QMHA-R: $25.05/hr - 33.24/hr
- QMHA-1: $27.62 - $36.65/hr
- Final comp will be determined based on relevant experience, education, credentials/licensure, and internal equity. External candidates: Offer max for QMHA-R: $29.07/hr / QMHA-1: $32.05/hr per our Union contract.
Seniority Bid Window Opens: 5/20/2026
Seniority Bid Window Closes: 5/28/2026
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be registered with MHACBO to meet, at minimum, QMHA requirements.
- Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences field or a combination of at least three year’s work, education, training or experience in chemical dependency and/or mental health treatment; Has the competencies necessary to:
- Understand addictions and mental health treatment and service terminology and to apply the concepts;
- Provide psychosocial skills development; and
- Implement interventions prescribed on a treatment plan.
- Experience with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) preferred.
- Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
- CADC-I or CADC-R preferred.
- Current CPR certification required prior to start.
- Must meet CCC privileging requirements as required by FTCA.
- Will be required to carry an agency cell phone for work use. Cell phone will be provided by Central City Concern.
- Must be available for after hours and holiday coverage rotation.
- Must possess a current driver’s license, pass a DMV background check and be designated an “acceptable” driver as outlined in Central City Concern’s Fleet Safety policy. Must pass an initial drivers training within 60 days of being an approved driver and continued recertification training. Must maintain vehicle insurance coverage of a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 personal auto liability coverage.
- Ability to adhere to Central City Concern’s drug-free workplace which encourages a safe, healthy and productive work environment and strictly complies with the Drug-Free Work Place Ace of 1988. An employee shall not, in the workplace, unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use a controlled substance or alcohol.
- Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB test, and background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
- Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull and lift heavy objects, and climb stairs several times a day, with reasonable or no accommodation.
- Must adhere to agency’s non-discrimination policies.
- Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientations and treat each individual with respect and dignity.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Participate in Outreach activities necessary to offer services and engage participation in a non-coercive manner. Escort clients to meetings and appointments as necessary.
- Collect information regarding clients’ history through a combination of interviewing, records review, and consultation, after obtaining written consent.
- Participate in the development of the treatment plan with client & treatment team.
- Participate in clinical staff meetings and case conferences with team members in order to utilize interdisciplinary expertise and facilitate individual treatment plans for clients.
- Collaborate with Residential facilities, Adult Foster homes or other housing providers to provide necessary treatment services and coordinate residential and non-residential treatment and service planning.
- Participate in evaluating clients for risk of harm.
- Participate in admission and discharge planning for any client needing hospitalization or subacute level of care. Client contact must be made within one working day of admission.
- Monitor and assure that the health and safety needs of clients are met.
- Coordinate services with all members of client’s support network.
- Maintain client records as required by program standards and funding requirements including documentation of clinical interactions & participation in developing individual service plans.
- Participate in the rotation of carrying after-hours pager and providing holiday coverage with other members of team/program.
- Attend required meetings and trainings.
- Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners’ and outside providers’ patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EMR access. This includes immediate reporting of any PHI breach of CCC or outside provider health records to the CCC Legal and Quality departments, as well as to the program administrator.
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER DUTIES:
- Coordinate services with all members of client’s support network.
- Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
- Assist with the development of an integrated treatment program.
- Participate in along with qualified staff in Directors Custody transport holds when appropriate.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge and skills in counseling, crisis intervention, and assessment techniques with individuals and groups including assessing for risk of danger to self & others.
- Ability to be detail oriented, flexible, dependable, and a positive team player who works effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.
- Ability to work as a team member and to establish priorities.
- Ability to learn new skills and apply principles learned to new situations.
- Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude.
- Knowledge of community and social service agencies.
- Ability to follow oral and written directions and to apply techniques for specific needs.
- Knowledge and skills in substance use treatment/harm reduction
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently in an environment subject to ambiguity and change.
- Sufficient manual dexterity and physical ability to perform assigned tasks.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
- Ability to work in an environment where people may be hostile or abusive.
- Ability to manage time and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work courteously and effectively communicate with the general public, clients, medical personnel, corrections personnel, police, and co-workers.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
- Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods.
AFSCME UNION:
This role is a Union Represented position through; American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). You can find more information about your representation here www.afscme.org
Benefits at Central City Concern:
We offer incredible benefits to our employees, including an extensive total rewards package, competitive compensation, medical, dental, vision, Student loan repayment options, and retirement savings matching plans!
- Generous paid time off plan beginning at 4 weeks of PTO accrual per year! Accrual amount/rate increases with longevity.
- Up to 11 recognized Holidays and 2 personal holidays. (dependent on work shift schedule)
- Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with an employer match of 4.25% in your 1st year, 6% in the 2nd year, and 8% in your 3rd year!
- Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
- Employer-Paid Life, Short-Term Disability, & Long-Term Disability Insurance.
- Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21.
This description is intended to provide a snapshot of the work performed and is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of the position.
As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.
Central City Concern is a second-chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding the consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
