Department Overview
The OHSU Intercultural Psychiatric Program provides expert, culturally sensitive mental health services to immigrant and refugee communities. We offer individual and group therapy as well as psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and case management in collaboration with primary care providers and various community services. Many of our staff are immigrants or former refugees themselves, so they have a profound understanding of the struggles that this community faces. Our team of counselors who speak many different languages work alongside psychiatrists to provide interpretation, cultural insight, and basic skills training. The Torture Treatment Center of Oregon (TTCO) is a program within IPP that meets the unique needs of survivors of torture.
IPP provides outpatient mental health care, including case management, group and individual therapy, and medication management support to people in Oregon whose first language is other than English. IPP has about 7 psychiatrists and/or psychiatric residents, 18 QMHA & QMHP-level clinicians (mental health counselors), and an administrative staff of four persons. This staff currently serves roughly 900 patients.
This position works closely with staff psychiatrists of the Intercultural Psychiatric Program (IPP) as part of an integrated team model to provide comprehensive, holistic care for individuals seeking mental health services in a culturally sensitive environment. This position adheres to the Oregon Health Authority Oregon Administrative Rules 309 as it relates to Outpatient Mental Health Services.
Duties and Responsibilities
The clinician will demonstrate an understanding of the cultural nuances, traditions, and values of the African community, particularly refugees, asylees, and immigrants from Somalia and Congo. The clinician will utilize evidence-based interventions, engage in family counseling, conduct group therapy, manage cases, handle client intake, perform outreach, provide skills training, and establish resource connections. Additionally, this role involves offering cultural and language interpretation to support staff psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners at IPP in delivering psychiatric services to culturally specific patients. The position entails delivering clinical case management and other clinical support to culturally specific patients, and potentially other IPP patients, as directed by the IPP director or manager. All clinical work is conducted with a trauma-informed approach.
This position is expected to provide services as assigned by the supervisor, aligning with the university's missions and goals encompassing teaching, research, patient care, outreach, and public service.
Function/Duties of Position
Documentation and Charges
- Collects all appropriate collateral documentation for client, doctor, etc., and ensures all required signatures are collected. Completes all required notes and documentation in Epic for all services provided that meets expectations of OAR 309-019-0140 Service Plan and Service Notes. Completes appropriate Epic charge entry related to services delivered. Works with PAS Resource Specialist on required insurance authorization documentation as necessary or required.
Culturally Competent Care and Interpretation
- Provides culturally competent care and linguistic/interpretation services for specific client population. Provides linguistic/interpretation services during co-facilitated patient/doctor visits. Ensures that client needs are appropriately addressed serving as interpreter/facilitator for both patient and doctor. Assists medical provider and administrative staff in scheduling subsequent doctor visits.
Patient Referrals and Intakes
- Triages inquiries from potential clients, family members and/or service providers regarding scope of treatment and services provided by IPP. Collaborates with medical providers in reviewing cases and scheduling clients for psychiatric evaluations and follow-up, adhering to OAR 309-019-0135.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
- Conducts mental health assessment and annual mental health assessment updates, and develops and revises treatment plans, adhering to OAR 309-019-0135; 309-019-0140.
Case Management
- Assists in coordinating client care with other providers. Assists patients in gaining access to community services. Responds appropriately to patient needs related to mental health treatment, including need for urgent therapeutic interventions. Conducts outreach home visits as necessary.
Individual, Group and Family Services
- Conducts individual, group and family therapy using evidence-based interventions. Conducts individual and group skills training and related services.
Clinic Operations
- Assists with general clinic operations, including scheduling of transportation for clients, responding to language-specific telephone inquiries, and other appropriate duties as needed.
Staff Meetings and Development
- Attends and actively participates in required staff meetings, development activities, and utilization review. Attends required supervision sessions with designated supervisor.
Prevention, Education and Outreach
- Conducts prevention, education, and outreach activities as specified in county contracts to serve OHP members.
Research/Grant Activities
- May provide limited assistance to medical staff in performing research/grant specific to the activities carried out in the Intercultural Psychiatric Program.
Required Qualifications
- Graduate degree in psychology; OR
- Graduate degree in social work; OR
- Graduate degree in recreational, art, or music therapy; OR
- Graduate degree in a behavioral science field.
- QMHP must demonstrate the ability to conduct an assessment, including identifying precipitating events, gathering histories of mental and physical health, alcohol and other drug use, past mental health services and criminal justice contacts, assessing family, cultural social and work relationships, and conducting a mental status examination, complete a five-axis DSM diagnosis, write and supervise the implementation of a Service Plan and provide individual, family or group therapy within the scope of their training.
- Must be registered as a QMHP with the Mental Health & Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) or hold QMHP-C Certification. Registered candidates must meet [OAR 309-019-0125(010)] standards for initial qualification for employment in State Approved Mental Health Agencies. QMHP-R (registered) candidates must register prior to employment and become fully certified within 2 years.
- Native or native-like fluency in English – both written and spoken;
- Native or native-like fluency in Somali, French, Arabic, Swahili, or Amharic--both written and spoken.
- Cultural awareness of refugee and immigrant experiences, including respect for the diverse historical and cultural contexts across African regions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and fluency in written and spoken English and fluency in written and spoken Somali, Arabic, French, Swahili, or Amharic.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and comfort with culture of people from other cultures as well as be able to function cooperatively in a multi-cultural environment.
- Good command of Windows-based applications, including basic MS Word skills, and typing 40 wpm.
- A strong customer-service orientation, the interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively in a diverse psychiatric outpatient program, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment. Exceptional cross-cultural skills.
- OAR 309-019-0125 Specific Staff Qualifications and Competencies.
- QMHPs must demonstrate the ability to conduct an assessment, including identifying precipitating events, gathering histories of mental and physical health, substance use, past mental health services and criminal justice contacts, assessing family, cultural, social and work relationships, and conducting a mental status examination, complete a DSM diagnosis, write and supervise the implementation of a Service Plan and provide individual, family or group therapy within the scope of their training.
- The candidate must hold Oregon clinical licensure, including LCSW, LPC, or LMFT, and maintain active licensure throughout employment.
- OR
- Upon hire, the candidate must meet qualifications and obtain licensure within 6 months.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous employment experience in social services and/or mental health field as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).
- Two-year employment experience in social services and/or mental health field as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).
- Doctoral degree may be substituted for employment experience.
- Coursework in graduate-level clinical supervision.
- Experience working with immigrants and refugees in a clinical setting.
- Coursework and/or experience delivering evidence-based interventions (IFS, CBT, DBT).
- Knowledge of trauma-informed treatments.
Additional Details
Ability to attend work regularly and on-time. Appropriate professional appearance and demeanor required.
All are welcome. Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.
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