Affirm 2STNB Licensed Therapist & Supervisor

Location: All (Portland, OR)
Supervisor: Affirm 2STNB Program Manager
Employee Classification: Exempt (Salaried), Full-Time
Hours: Full-Time, 40 hours per week
Compensation: $88,000 annually

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Primary Function:

Affirm 2STNB Program Licensed Therapists/Supervisors provide therapy services that support the mental and emotional well-being of 2STNB adults. They promote and facilitate the attainment of optimal mental health through prevention, treatment, and maintenance services. 

Affirm 2STNB Program Licensed Therapists/Supervisors provide supervision to 2STNB student clinicians and pre-licensed clinicians utilizing an integrative developmental model of supervision that draws on developmental, relational, and process-oriented factors. Affirm 2STNB Program Licensed Therapists/Supervisors take part in a bi-weekly supervision of supervision group, which is made up of individual clinical supervisors, the Director of Clinical Training, and Clinical Directors. This group is a space where supervisors can seek out support on the successes and concerns of providing supervision, as well as consult with and learn from other supervisors. 

Affirm 2STNB Program Licensed Therapists/Supervisors work collaboratively with other healthcare providers in support of their patients and to promote care that recognizes that all voices are important and deserve to be heard. Affirm 2STNB Program Licensed Therapists/Supervisors provide care that attends to the distinct needs of 2STNB populations and culturally sensitive and responsive care, acknowledging the impact of historical trauma, white supremacy, and colonization on the mental health of 2STNB communities and individuals.

In their work, Affirm 2STNB Program Licensed Therapists/Supervisors may offer individual and group therapy services that center patients’ experiences and knowledge. They prioritize the empowerment and agency of patients, recognizing their unique identities and strengths, and support them in developing and utilizing their own coping skills and strategies.

Additionally, Affirm 2STNB Program Licensed Therapists/Supervisors provide ongoing support services to help maintain mental and emotional well-being. They understand the value of long-term care and collaborate with patients to overcome any obstacles that may hinder their mental health. These services may include advocacy support and assistance in finding local 2STNB affirming healthcare. The Affirm 2STNB Program plans to add additional support services when both fiscally responsible and sustainable to do so.

Overall, Affirm 2STNB Program Licensed Therapists/Supervisors approach their work with humility and respect. They hold a strong commitment to providing mental health care that is affirming and liberating for 2STNB individuals. They prioritize the well-being and self-determination of patients, along with their communities, recognizing their inherent value and dignity.

Essential Functions:

• Provide holistic assessment and care that includes consideration of the patient’s social, cultural, and historical contexts, as well as their mental and physical health status
• Ensure that informed consent is obtained and prioritizes the patient’s agency and safety
• Ensure that patients are informed about their rights, including their right to refuse treatment, and provide advocacy and support when needed
• Ensure that patient records are kept confidential and secure, and that any sharing of information is done in accordance with the patient’s wishes and legal requirements
• Collaborate with the patient to co-create a personalized care plan that is respectful of their autonomy and priorities
• Use evidence-informed and culturally-responsive practices that prioritize patient empowerment and well-being
• Administrative Time: Time built into your schedule to write clinical notes and attend to general clinical paperwork (20 hour per month)
• Research Time: Time built into your schedule to do research on current 2STNB issues, legislation, and topics of interest (10 hours per month)
• Community Building – Digital Newsletter: Work collaboratively with Affirm colleagues and the local 2STNB community to develop a monthly Affirm Digital Newsletter that delivers details about events and activities happening locally and nationally (14 hours per month) 
• Community Building – Groups: Co-facilitate a weekly support or therapy group (Ex. elders, BIPOC, disability, grief, etc.) (2 hours per month)
• 2STNB Resource Database Building: Engage in building relationships with 2STNB affirming health care providers, programs, and services; collaborative build a comprehensive database of these providers, programs, and services (30 hours per month)
• Provision of Supervision: Provide weekly 1-hour supervision to one extern and one associate (8 hours per month)
• Engage in once weekly 1-hour 2STNB consult group
• Engage in ongoing education and self-reflection to critically examine and challenge systemic injustices in the mental health system
• Use a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes safety, choice, and empowerment, and avoids retraumatization
• Acknowledge and respect the wisdom and knowledge of patients, their families, and communities, and work to ensure their meaningful participation in their care
• Engage in ongoing self-care and self-reflection to mitigate the risk of vicarious trauma and burnout
• Ensure that clinic policies and procedures are respectful of patient autonomy and safety, and challenge any policies that perpetuate systemic harm
• Clinical Encounter Expectations: Affirm 2STNB Licensed Therapists & Supervisors are considered full-time employees and are required to complete 230 qualifying encounters in a 13-week calendar quarter, which is equivalent to a minimum of 20 encounters per week. This calculation presumes a practitioner is working 11.5 weeks of the 13-week quarter. Practitioners can always choose to complete more than 20 encounters per week, but the minimum expectation is at least 20 completed encounters per week on average. Additional activities, including 60% of paid time off taken, contribute to meeting this requirement. While initially building their caseload, a practitioner is expected to undertake 4 new patient intakes per workweek until they are averaging 20 completed clinical contacts per week.

Performance Requirements: 

Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment planning, and engagement of psychotherapy and/or psychiatric services
• Knowledge of principles of case conceptualization and diagnostic justification
• Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, and cultures and their history and origins
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn practice policies and procedures
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn medical terminology associated with specific role
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn basic insurance terminology and procedures associated with providing clinical services within an insurance-based practice
• Knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation, for effective and appropriate communication
• Knowledge of web-based computer programs and applications in an Apple/Mac environment

Skills: 

• Demonstrate an understanding of sound ethical practice in conjunction with the established and defined ethics of one’s training and discipline
• Appropriately and effectively assess and treat behavioral and affective disorders, with an emphasis on relational and process intervention models
• Assess risk for harm to self or others at intake as well as throughout the course of treatment
• Maintain current and comprehensive clinical documentation compliant with Oregon Health Authority requirements
• Coordination of care with multiple providers, both within the practice and at other facilities
• Welcome and utilize feedback with interest and curiosity from peers, colleagues, managers and directors, as well as in supervision and consultation settings

Abilities: 

• Provide clinically sound treatment services based on patient needs and treatment plans.
• Demonstrate an understanding of diagnostic evaluation methods, such as the mental status exams, the LOCUS, CASII, ECSII, Level of Care, CANS, PAI, and additional tools used in diagnosing
• Demonstrate an understanding of the DSM­ 5.0.
• Respond to a range of patient needs using differential diagnoses and treatment approaches.
• Demonstrate an understanding of sound ethical practice in conjunction with the established and defined ethics of one’s training and discipline.
• Effectively organize time and responsibilities.
• Demonstrate an understanding and abide by the regulations set forth by HIPAA.
• Model through behaviors and attitudes the values that reflect and are consistent with the policies of PMHW.
• Engage in ongoing training opportunities provided by Portland Mental Health & Wellness and elsewhere to improve skills in diagnosis, treatment planning, and engagement of psychotherapy and/or psychiatric services that emphasize the mission, vision and values of Portland Mental Health & Wellness
• Ability to work effectively as a team member, and to communicate clearly, compassionately, and respectfully, with medical and mental health professionals, as well as with administrative support staff
• Ability to flexibly respond to changing demands within the work environment
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks, time, and responsibilities effectively, as well as to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, employees, and the public
• Ability to maintain a full caseload of patients and meet a minimum encounter expectation of 230 per 13 week calendar quarter
• Ability to function proficiently in a web-based computer environment

Minimum Qualifications:

• A doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology or Counseling Psychology from an APA accredited university OR a masters degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field
• Appropriate Oregon board-approved licensing required
• Must meet all eligibility requirements of the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists to supervise pre-licensed associates
• Demonstrate competence working with 2STNB populations
• Demonstrate competence and humility in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class, ability et al
• Demonstrate commitment to the preservation of a workplace which embraces diversity
• Demonstrate commitment to confidentiality of patient and employee information
• Communicate professionally and effectively with patients and clinicians
• Demonstrate a strong attention to detail and organization
• Demonstrate patience: being patient with people who may have trouble communicating or understanding what is happening is imperative for this position
• Follow policies and procedures to contribute to the administrative efficiency of the practice, taking initiative to suggest and develop those that may be needed
• Ability to work with Mac OS & Google Workspace

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment, including computers, copiers, printers, telephones, etc. 

Work Environment: When working from a PMHW office, the position is in a well-lit office environment. Varied activities including sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting.

Mental and Physical Requirements: Involves sitting approximately 90 percent of the day, walking or standing the remainder. Ability to tolerate mental and emotional distress as an anticipated aspect of the position. May require working under stressful conditions.

Portland Mental Health & Wellness offers a competitive benefits package for full time employees that includes:

• Paid Time Off (80 hours per year)
• Paid Health Leave (40 hours per year)
• Paid Floating Holiday Hours (80 hours per year)
• Paid Time Off Factored into Quarterly Encounter Standards and Pay Rate Calculation at 60%
• Medical and Vision Insurance – Kaiser (choice of three plans) – Covered at 60%
• Dental Insurance – Principal – Covered at 60%
• Employer Paid Life and AD&D Insurance – Principal 
• Voluntary Additional Life and AD&D Insurance – Principal  
• Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance – Principal 
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance – Principal 
• Voluntary Accident Insurance – Principal 
• Flexible Spending Account, Health Care – Ameriflex
• Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care – Ameriflex 
• Commuter Benefits – Choice of One Below:
  • Monthly TriMet Transportation Pass – Covered at 50%
  • Parking Reimbursement – Up to $50 per month
• 401K Retirement Plan – Up to 4% Company Match Once Eligible
• Quarterly Profit-Sharing Incentive 
• Discounted Enrollment with Student Loan Tutor
• 20% Discount on Vitamins & Supplements Through Fullscript
• 15% Discount at VioletSuitesPDX
• Discounted Monthly Membership with Müv Fitness
• OnPoint Community Credit Union Group Banking Benefits
• Limited Access to Columbia Sportswear Employee Store
• Access to Clearly Clinical and Aspira Continuing Education Resources at No Additional Cost 
• Opportunities for Provision of Supervision and Training
• Annual Continuing Education Allowance
• Weekly Consultation Groups

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This description is intended to provide only the basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions may change as the practice’s needs evolve. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of every job.

The requirements described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. By signing below, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the Essential Functions of this job, with or without accommodation. If an accommodation is needed, you acknowledge that you have an opportunity to discuss this with Human Resources.

It’s essential to clarify that at Portland Mental Health & Wellness, we hire W-2 employees for most positions, rather than contractors. This decision reflects our commitment to professionalism, accountability, and the highest standards of care.

In Oregon, the distinction between W-2 employees and contractors holds significant legal and ethical implications. By hiring W-2 employees, we ensure that our staff receive fair wages, benefits, and protections mandated by state labor laws. This includes access to healthcare, paid leave, and workers’ compensation, fostering a supportive and secure work environment.

Moreover, hiring W-2 employees allows us to maintain consistent quality control and oversight over our services. We prioritize building a team of dedicated professionals who share our values and commitment to providing exceptional mental health care to our clients. This ensures continuity of care and fosters trust within our community.

At Portland Mental Health & Wellness, we believe that investing in our employees translates to better outcomes for our clients. By hiring W-2 employees, we uphold our commitment to integrity, transparency, and excellence in mental health care delivery. Join us in our mission to promote holistic well-being and support the mental health needs of individuals and families in Portland and beyond.