Growing Steadily Since 1988
South Lane Mental Health is Hiring
South Lane Mental Health began in 1988 by the community for the community. Today that sentiment continues. Our team is committed to providing individualized counseling services for the Cottage Grove, OR, community and all of South Lane County. We treat our clients with compassion and respect and provide a culture where our employees are supported and trusted.
We believe that to help others, you must first put on your own oxygen mask. Therefore, South Lane Mental Health pays 100% of the employee health insurance premiums and deductibles, provides generous paid time off, and offers a strong employee assistance program. We also provide clinical supervision for licensure candidates, opportunities for training, and growth-focused, strength-based management.
Internships are closed for second year master’s level students for the 2024-2025 school year.
Current Open Positions
Case Management Specialist- QMHA Traditional Health Worker
The Case Management Specialist- Traditional Health Worker works as a QMHA on the Case Management Team and provides support for clients seeking mental health care and/or medical care, working closely with providers, primary care teams, and other agencies, as well as SLMH’s mental health treatment teams and the client to improve patient care and outcomes. They will also provide additional case management services as needed to provide comprehensive holistic care, and otherwise assist their clients, and the Case Management Team.
- Click here for the full job description
Child and Family Team Meeting Facilitator
Substance Use Disorders Peer Support Specialist
Located in Cottage Grove, Oregon, South Lane Mental Health is guided by an enduring commitment to provide individualized mental health services with compassion and respect. South Lane Mental Health’s staff of almost 100 provided a variety of therapeutic services to over 2,000 individuals in Cottage Grove and the surrounding community. Our employees have a wide range of backgrounds, educational attainment and skill sets. We strive to create an agency community characterized by empowerment, compassion and innovation.
About the Position:
The Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Peer Support Specialist provides recovery-based peer support to clients who would benefit from extra support within the treatment continuum of care. The Peer Support Specialist would offer assistance with tasks such as attending appointments and meetings in the community, provide skills training, case management and linkage to various resources and socialization within the recovery community.
Position Duties:
Conduct individual peer support sessions and participate in recovery focused activities, provide skills training, case management, co-facilitate treatment groups with CADC’s and provide various other supports to clients receiving SUD services through SLMH’s SUD program.
Provide education to clients and families about substance use disorders and the treatment and recovery process
Provide education to others, including community service providers, regarding treatment and the recovery process.
Serve as the contact point, advocate, and informational resource for client, care team, family/caregivers, and community resource agencies.
Assist with resolving issues that could affect treatment.
Participate in collaboration meetings with SUD team, Therapists, Doctors, Probation Officers, DHS caseworkers and other community service providers to assist in achieving treatment and recovery goals and outcomes on service plans.
Monitor client progress in a timely manner, and facilitate and communicate changes to plans as needed.
Assist in evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of and adherence to the treatment plans.
Understand that many clients have been traumatized and strive to constantly provide services from a respectful, trauma-informed perspective.
Complete all required paperwork, including notes on each session and individual client paperwork, in a timely manner.
Meet requirements regarding productivity and dependability.
Coordinate with co-workers and treatment teams, including participating in complex case reviews or family systems reviews as necessary.
Actively participate in clinical supervision, as well as staff meetings.
Engage in continuing education activities and trainings, and continually build therapeutic skills.
Participate in completeness and quality reviews as required.
As required, positively represent SLMH in the community and with other service providers, and/or act as a liaison with other organizations or with internal committees/cross-departmental teams.
Perform all duties in a respectful and responsible manner, both with clients and coworkers, and in a manner that meets all professional ethical standards.
Additional duties as requested.
Position Requirements:
Lived experience in recovery from a substance use disorder, with at least two years abstaining from alcohol and other drugs, and a willingness to complete necessary training and other requirements to become certified as a Peer Support Specialist, or current certification as a SUD Peer Support Specialist.
Previous experience in substance use peer support and case management experience is a plus.
Valid driver’s license.
Competencies:
Skill in building supportive relationships with clients, particularly female clients with complex trauma histories.
Ability to respond calmly and professionally in high-stress situations and respond constructively to clients experiencing various crises and life struggles.
Ability to balance clinical, cultural, and ethical values, particularly as relates to client and staff needs.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Ability to interact with people of all ages and cultural background.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Sound computer skills.
Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
Benefits of Working for South Lane Mental Health:
100% employer payment of health insurance premiums for the employee, plus 100% employer coverage of in-network copays and deductibles.
100% employer payment of dental and vision premiums.
5 weeks Paid Time Off per year.
9 paid holidays per year.
Up to 12 weeks of paid family/medical leave as needed, plus paid bereavement and civic duty leave.
Robust Employee Assistant Program, including gym and wellness discounts and resources for legal and financial advice.
Opportunities for pre-tax contributions to a 403(b) retirement account, and to acquire supplemental insurances (disability, life, etc.)
Eligibility for state and federal student loan forgiveness/repayment programs.
Flexible schedules.
Exceptional culture where employees are supported, trusted and treated as adults.
Resume and Cover letter are required. No phone calls, please.
Youth Behavioral Support Specialist
Located in Cottage Grove, Oregon, South Lane Mental Health is guided by an enduring commitment to provide individualized mental health services with compassion and respect. South Lane Mental Health’s staff of 100 provides a variety of therapeutic services to over 2,000 individuals in Cottage Grove and the surrounding community. Our employees have a wide range of backgrounds, educational attainment and skill sets. We strive to create an agency community characterized by empowerment, compassion and innovation.
About the Position:
South Lane Mental Health is seeking a Behavioral Support Specialist to join our Intensive Outpatient Support Services (IOSS) team. A full time Qualified Mental Health Associate, the Behavioral Support Specialist is able to make connections with youth ages 3 to 18 and deliver skills to reduce the impact of mental health symptoms in the family, community and school. The Behavioral Support Specialist is also able to make connections with adult care providers (parents, foster parents, teachers) and educate them about the nature of the emotional problem/psychiatric disability, provide child management and supervision, provide nurturing support and participate in Collaborative Problem Solving.
IOSS is mental health treatment for children and youth that happens anywhere the child is having a problem coping with stress whether that is at the home, at the school or in the community… wherever the child needs help. IOSS is a team of therapists and skills trainers who want to help children and families deal with stress better and appreciate a safe and supportive family. This position is primarily based in Springfield, though some travel throughout Lane County is expected.
Position Duties:
- Build helping relationships with clients, including helping clients identify personal strengths, find resources needed to acquire skills and support, and assist clients in developing and implementing individualized plans.
- Participate in one-on-one skills training sessions with clients to help clients build and implement techniques to manage their psychiatric disability/emotional problem. Conduct skills training sessions wherever there is a problem coping with stress, whether that is at home, at school, or in the community.
- Implement an established emotional intelligence curriculum, and select appropriate sections of the curriculum to use in a given situation.
- Provide family support as necessary and appropriate, including providing support for parents and other caregivers of clients.
- Assist clients with identifying symptoms, goals, and methods for achieving goals, and identify and provide appropriate skills training to clients based on the service plans.
- Provide crisis services as required.
- Understand that many clients have been traumatized and strive to constantly provide services from a respectful, trauma-informed perspective.
- Regularly attend IOSS team meetings, and collaborate with other IOSS team members to identify strategies to provide quality care to IOSS clients. In collaboration with the IOSS team, create behavioral support plans for assigned clients.
- Coordinate care other providers, families, courts, schools, etc. as required to assist the client succeed in meeting individual goals. As requested, participate in Child and Family Team Meetings and work with adult care providers (parents, foster parents, teachers) to provide nurturing support to caregivers and assist with improving the family system.
- Assess safety of self and others in community/home situations, respond to safety concerns, and coordinate with the team to ensure appropriate safety while seeing clients.
- Schedule appointments with assigned clients, and coordinate and maintain appointment calendar.
- Complete all required paperwork, including notes on each session and individual client paperwork, in a timely manner. Meet requirements regarding productivity and dependability.
- Engage in continuing education activities and training, and continually build therapeutic skills.
- Participate in completeness and quality reviews as required. Actively participate in clinical supervision, as well as staff meetings.
- As required, positively represent SLMH in the community and with other service providers, and/or act as a liaison with other organizations or with internal committees/cross-departmental teams.
- Perform all duties in a respectful and responsible manner, both with clients and coworkers, and in a manner that meets all professional ethical standards.
Position Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in social services, behavioral health, or a related subject; or at least 3 years of active employment in the field of mental health service provision.
- Ability to obtain MHACBO registration and be credentialed as a QMHA; or Peer Support Specialist Certification and inclusion on the Traditional Health Worker Registry.
- Valid driver’s license, and a reliable vehicle that can be used to transport self to and from client homes (mileage reimbursement provided).
Competencies:
- Knowledge of mental health assessment, treatment and service terminology, and ability to apply these concepts.
- Ability to implement skill development strategies for youth and adults.
- Skill in identifying, implementing, and coordinating the services and supports identified in an Individualized Support Service Plan.
- Ability to respond calmly and professionally in high-stress situations and respond constructively to clients in a mental health crisis.
- Strong oral communications skills, and ability to write in clear, clinically appropriate language.
- Ability to balance clinical, cultural, and ethical values, particularly as relates to client and staff needs.
- Ability to interact positively with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of the client and team.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team environment.
- Sound computer skills.
Benefits of Working for South Lane Mental Health:
- 100% employer payment of health insurance premiums for the employee, plus 100% employer coverage of in-network copays and deductibles.
- 100% employer payment of dental and vision premiums.
- 5 weeks Paid Time Off per year.
- 9 paid holidays per year.
- Up to 12 weeks of paid family/medical leave as needed, plus paid bereavement and civic duty leave.
- Robust Employee Assistant Program, including gym and wellness discounts and resources for legal and financial advice.
- Opportunities for pre-tax contributions to a 403(b)-retirement account, and to acquire supplemental insurances (disability, life, etc.)
- Eligibility for state and federal student loan forgiveness/repayment programs.
- Flexible schedules.
- Exceptional culture where employees are supported, trusted and treated as adults.
Resume and cover letter are required. No phone calls, please.
ACT Therapist-Social Worker (QMHP)
Salary: Yes
Annual Starting Salary: $58,240 – $67,830 Depending on years of experience.
About South Lane Mental Health
Located just south of Eugene Oregon in the beautiful and historic city of Cottage Grove, South Lane Mental Health is a non-profit community mental health agency guided by an enduring commitment to providing individualized mental & behavioral health services with compassion and respect. South Lane Mental Health’s staff of nearly 100 provides a variety of therapeutic services to over 2,000 individuals annually in Cottage Grove and the surrounding community. Our employees have a wide range of backgrounds, educational attainment, and skill sets. We strive to create an agency community characterized by empowerment, compassion, and innovation.
Cottage Grove https://www.cottagegroveor.gov/
Benefits of Working for South Lane Mental Health:
- 100% employer payment of health insurance premiums for the employee, plus 100% employer coverage of in-network copays and deductibles.
- 100% employer payment of dental and vision premiums.
- Possibility to earn up to 5 weeks Paid Time Off per year with full time employment.
- 9 paid holidays per year.
- Up to 12 weeks of paid family/medical leave through the Paid Leave Oregon program, plus paid bereavement, and civic duty leave.
- Accessible Employee Assistant Program, including gym and wellness discounts and resources for legal and financial advice.
- Opportunities for pre-tax contributions to a 403(b)-retirement account, and to acquire supplemental insurances (disability, life, etc.)
- Eligibility for state and federal student loan forgiveness/repayment programs.
- Flexible schedules.
- Exceptional culture where employees are supported, trusted, and treated as adults.
About the position
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an Evidence-Based Practice designed to provide comprehensive treatment and support services to individuals who are diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI). All ACT services are provided by a multidisciplinary team and are designed to be provided in the most integrated setting possible to maximize independence and community integration. ACT Therapists/Social Workers are Masters level Qualified Mental Health professionals (QMHP) who provide direct support to program participants living in rural Cottage Grove and South Lane County. Therapist/Social Workers help ACT participants develop and implement individual plans to overcome barriers and to work through challenges they face in everyday life while also supporting participants to focus on long-term treatment goals for stability and well-being.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Provide therapeutic support to participants of the ACT Team
- Build therapeutic relationships with ACT program participants and provide individual therapy and case management services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness living in the community. Help to identify personal strengths and resources needed to acquire skills and support while healing from past traumas and assist in developing and implementing culturally appropriate individualized plans in collaboration with other ACT team members.
- As a member of the multi-disciplinary ACT treatment team, assist program participants with identifying symptoms, goals, and methods for achieving goals.
- Work with participants and team members to provide therapy and support in the environment that provides the best opportunity for success, including conducting therapeutic sessions in the participants home, in the community, over the phone, or in the office.
- Provide therapeutic support for program participants in the community as they conduct daily living tasks, such as shopping, maintaining a household, or attending medical appointments.
- Assist participants with navigating challenging situations such as relocations.
- Provide crisis support and de-escalation as required.
- Deliver and distribute medications to homes, or at the office as indicated in the individual treatment plan.
- Conduct in-depth mental health assessments, intakes, and updates for ACT participants and develop individualized support plans, and document services as appropriate.
- Provide skills and support for individuals natural support network—family, landlords, employers, friends, etc.
- Understand that it is likely that all our participants have been traumatized and strive to constantly provide services from a respectful, trauma-informed perspective.
Participate in the ACT Treatment Team
- Regularly attend ACT team meetings and collaborate with other ACT team members to identify strategies to provide quality care to ACT participants.
- Coordinate care with other members of the ACT team, other providers, families, courts, schools, etc. to help participants succeed in meeting individual goals.
- Develop mental health assessments and individualized support plans.
- Possibility of carrying a crisis phone on rotation with other team members
- Possibility to work a weekend and holiday with pay differential and holiday bonus pay
- 40 hours per week, 4- or 5-day work week, and may include up to one weekend day
Complete administrative and continuing education responsibilities
- Complete all required paperwork in a timely manner.
- Meet requirements regarding productivity and dependability.
- Coordinate with co-workers and treatment teams, including participating in complex case reviews or family systems reviews, as necessary.
- Actively participate in clinical supervision and staff meetings.
- Engage in continuing education activities and training and maintain appropriate continuing education credits as required by board and licensure, as well as continually building therapeutic skills.
- Participate in completeness and quality reviews as required.
- As required, positively represent SLMH in the community and with other service providers, and/or act as a liaison with other organizations or with internal committees/cross-departmental teams.
- Perform all duties in a respectful and responsible manner, both with program participants and coworkers, and in a manner that meets all professional ethical standards.
- Additional duties as requested.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Master’s degree in the related fields of therapy to include social work, professional counseling, or couples and family therapy.
- The ability to be credentialled as A QMHP through MHACBO in the state of Oregon.
- Experience Woking directly with SPMI, Severe and Persistent Mental Illness proffered.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Conduct individual Case Management
- Provide individual and group therapy.
- Ability to respond calmly and professionally in high-stress situations and respond constructively to program participants in a mental health crisis.
- Complete DSM 5 diagnosis.
- Conducting best practice suicide risk assessments and safety planning.
- Write and supervise the implementation of an intensive service plan.
- Ability to conduct in depth mental health assessments according to standards set in Oregon Administrative Rules including identifying precipitating events, gathering histories of mental and physical health, alcohol and drug use, past mental health services and criminal justice contacts, assessing family, cultural, social, and work relationships, and conducting a mental status examination.
- Passion and/or Experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
- Ability to balance clinical, cultural, and ethical values, particularly as relates to program participant and staff needs.
- Strong written and oral communications skills.
- Ability to interact with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
- Be familiar with relevant fidelity requirements and complete responsibilities in a way that comports with them.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Sound computer skills.
Essential Job Functions
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, move, talk, hear, and manipulate equipment, as well as lift and move objects, equipment, and supplies. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Lift up to 40-50 pounds may occasionally be required, depending on the specific style or type of care provided. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must travel using a personal vehicle to locations throughout the community, including individual’s homes.
The employee works in well-lit, clean environments. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate. May work evenings or weekends. The employee may occasionally work with angry or hostile program participants or members of the public, work with toxic substances and biohazards, and be exposed to infectious illnesses.
Equal Opportunity Statements
South Lane Mental Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQIA+ community members. The strength of our organization lies in the diversity of our workforce and the perspectives our employees bring to their work at South Lane Mental Health.
Additional Information
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 for the position.
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Insurance Benefits
Employee Testimonials
“Working with families devastated by trauma is extremely difficult. Why, then, do I like my job? Because SLMH is the most caring and compassionate employer I have ever had. As an employee, I am supported by an entire team and am empowered and trusted to serve the families we work with. I am supported with supervision, trainings, excellent health care, and more benefit time than I know what to do with. Above everything else, SLMH cultivates emotional intelligence in both clients and staff. I am a better version of myself after working here.”
-Brett M.
“South Lane Mental Health centers the needs and goals of clients while supporting and respecting therapists and other staff.”
-Jones D.
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South Lane Mental Health
Main Office
1345 Birch Ave.
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
We have multiple locations. If you are unsure of your appointment location, please verify with your clinician, or visit our "Contact Us" page for a complete list of addresses.
Phone: 541-942-3939
Fax: 541-942-9310
Email: slmh.info@slmh.org
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM