Civil Commitment Investigator

Join the team at Marion County Health & Human Services as a Civil Commitment Investigator (Mental Health Specialist) in our Acute and Forensic Behavioral Health division. If you are looking for an opportunity to help others, this may be the job for you. In your role, you will conduct pre-commitment evaluations, investigations, and attend civil commitment court proceedings. You will have the opportunity to work closely with agencies such as the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, local and state hospitals, community mental health agencies, jails, and police departments.

Some of the key responsibilities of this position include:

• Interviewing allegedly mental ill individuals
• Reviewing medical records and police reports
• Conducting interviews with witnesses
• Providing consultation to mental health providers and community members
• Working closely with other community mental health agencies and facilities

We are looking for a Qualified Mental Health Professional who is collaborative, flexible, and possesses excellent communication and time management skills. Knowledge and the ability to interpret Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) is a plus! Whether you have previous experience in this type of role, or you are eager to learn, we want to speak to you!

We offer the following recruitment bonus, prorated based on FTE:

• $2,000 bonus for employees new to Marion County starting on January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.  Bonus will be included in employee’s first paycheck.

For those relocating from outside of Oregon, we provide the following relocation package:

• Up to $3,000 reimbursement of moving expenses
• Relocation bonus in the amount of $3,000 (prorated based on FTE) as a one-time payment upon proof of Oregon residency.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Provide assessments and treatment of individuals and families, including groups; provide crisis assessment and intervention services and related duties as required. The primary responsibility of this class is to provide assessment and treatment services, crisis intervention, and treatment services, including intensive services, to individuals and their families with complex needs and diagnoses or to develop and implement specific services in the community.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Work under a supervisor who assigns work establishes goals and reviews the results for overall effectiveness.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED Primary supervision of employees is not a responsibility of this classification; however, positions may act as lead workers as defined in the Marion County Personnel Rules.

Pre-Commitment investigations
Investigates all Hospital Holds, Magistrate’s Orders, and Two-Party Petitions, using collateral information and face-to-face interviews. Makes recommendations to the court for discharge from hold or pursue court proceedings for a civil commitment hearing. Attends court hearings.  Provides consultation and training to hospitals, community members and agencies regarding the civil commitment process and procedures.  Understands and works within the constraints of their role as a Civil Commitment Investigator, as well as maintains professional partnerships and boundaries with hospital staff and community professionals.

Community Engagement
Conducts investigations in various locations, including the following: hospital and correctional environments, private residences, and community organizations. When in the community, commitment investigators will safely engage those under investigation.

Crisis Assessments
Provides counseling by telephone or in-person to individuals in crisis and/or their families or concerned others.  Intervenes with both children and adults presenting problems covering the full range of personal needs and include thoughts/plans or violence toward others, and major psychiatric illness.  Because of the wide spectrum of presenting problems, it is necessary to have a comprehensive knowledge of psychopathology and to be able to draw upon a wide range of therapeutic strategies in counseling. Mental health assessments are conducted in a variety of community locations, including but not limited to hospital and correctional environments and community settings.

Assessment of Mental Status
Performs independent assessment of mental status, diagnosis, level of functioning, dangerousness, and specific needs for services.  Screens individuals for psychiatric hospitalization.

Planning Development
Develops plan with individuals/families to address immediate needs and plans to obtain services.  If the individual is unwilling to seek services, makes decisions regarding involuntary commitment based on dangerousness and ability to care for self.

Community Coordination
Maintains current knowledge of, and contact with, community agencies in order to make referrals appropriately.  Sees that the individual gains access to the services they need, and does follow-up work as needed, to make certain that the individual’s needs are being met.

Miscellaneous

• Provides advocacy for client rights, ethical consideration, needs for service and least restrictive care-intervention.
• Responds to requests for information regarding clients not currently in the CSS, requiring a thorough knowledge of laws governing the release of confidential information.
• Attends monthly BHCC team meeting.
• Performs other job duties as assigned by the supervisor. 

Response Level 2: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100 and 700 on-line or in-person training.EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

1. Master's degree in psychology, social work, recreational therapy, music therapy, art therapy or a behavioral science field; OR
2. Bachelor's degree in nursing, or <>occupational therapy and licensed by the State of Oregon; AND
3. One year of postgraduate degree experience in the behavioral health field.

PREFERENCES
Preference will be awarded to candidates who are LCSW, CSWA or eligible for LCSW.  Qualified candidates will be eligible for licensure supervision if hired.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Salem Hospital Credentialing:  Must possess, or obtain within 6 months of hire, Salem Hospital Privileges.
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check, including finger printing; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
• This position may be subject to the following:  Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).
• Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at:  http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/.
• The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check, including finger printing; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position. 
• This is a safety sensitive/special needs position. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy can be found at: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/policy.aspx?p=policy&pid=518.
• This assignment is represented by a union.
• This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
• Typical Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Working knowledge of community mental health concepts or chemical dependency case management and treatment services; individual assessment, treatment planning and treatment protocols; mental health disorders and diagnostic classifications.

Ability to establish positive working relationships with other employees, individuals and their families, other agencies, and the public; prepare concise and complete clinical documentation related to individual treatment and progress in services in a timely and professional manner; work within a team and collaborate with team members; knowledge of and ability to act professionally with regard to a code of ethics and confidentiality.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 
Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; stands; sits; moves about the work area; climbs 1 floor of stairs; lifts and carries up to 15 lbs.; pushes and pulls up to 10 lbs.; moves carts weighing up to 10 lbs.; operates a keyboard; speaks clearly and audibly; reads a 12-pt. font; hears a normal level of speech; works in areas that may be exposed to heat, cold, humidity, dust, smoke, vibration, radiation, noise, and chemicals; works in areas that may be wet or uneven; uses ladders and scaffolding.We offer tuition assistance for employees interested in professional development towards a profession in behavioral health.

• Up to $20,000 to reimburse for tuition, licensure and/or other educational expenditures. According to the Marion County Administrative policies regarding tuition payments. The policy can be found at:  Marion County Tuition Payment Policy 303

Salary : $35 - $47