Description

Job Description:

Peer Services Behavioral Health Specialist 1, Qualified Mental Health Associates, SUD Treatment (Salem)

Oregon State Penitentiary –

The Behavioral Health Services (BHS) unit at the Oregon State Penitentiary's Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Program, in Salem, Oregon, is actively recruiting for Behavioral Health Specialist 1, Qualified Mental Health Associates (QMHAs) with a focus on assisting with the coordination of Peer Services for this program. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates and may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) is to promote public safety by holding offenders accountable for their actions and reducing the risk of future criminal behavior. DOC provides several levels of mental health treatment along with individualized case management. Behavioral health services are targeted to Adults in Custody (AIC) with severe or persistent mental illness. Short-term services are available to AICs who are not mentally ill, but who show high suicide potential, or who are experiencing other emotional distress. Behavioral Health Services also provides Substance Use Disorder treatment to AICs that meet qualification for available programs.

This position is represented by American Federations of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This position may be eligible for Police & Fire (P&F) benefits through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), as defined by statute.

Duties

The purpose of this position is to deliver gender-inclusive and trauma-informed substance use disorder treatment services utilizing a chronic disease framework to adults in custody (AICs) at an outpatient level of care. The QMHA staff function as the primary service providers for this program. Services provided include ASAM assessment, treatment planning, group facilitation, individualized SUD treatment counseling, psychosocial skills development, case management, and discharge planning. This position has a unique focus around the support and delivery of peer-based services in the OSP SUD treatment program. This role will work closely with AIC Peer Recovery Mentors, providing skills training for these AICs, as well as coordination of peer service delivery. This position has contact with all levels of institution staff, as well as other agencies, individuals, and groups that interface with the ODOC. This position is supervised by a designated SUD Treatment Program Manager.

Applicants must be credentialed as a QMHA or meet the criteria for credentialing as a QMHA; and must also be credentialed as an Oregon Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor 1 (CADC 1) or higher with the Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO).

Minimum Qualifications

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you have:

• A Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science field; OR
• A combination of at least three years of relevant work, education, training, or experience; OR
• Possession of a current Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) certification; OR
• A qualified Mental Health Intern, as defined in

Special Requirements

List any special mandatory recruiting requirements for this position:

• Are credentialed as a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) with the Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), or are able to be credentialed as a QMHA.
• Demonstrate the competency necessary to understand substance use disorder assessment, treatment and service terminology and apply these concepts; design and implement interventions as assigned on an individual plan of care; facilitate treatment groups; and provide case management.
• Are credentialed as a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor I (CADC-I) or higher with MHACBO
• Have experience with evidence-based, trauma-informed, and gender-inclusive treatment interventions for adults with substance use disorders and possible co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Experience working in collaboration with Certified Recovery Mentors or Peer Support Specialists

Desired attributes

• Familiarity with the chronic disease approach to SUD treatment
• Individuals with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply