Mental Health Clinician - African American Specific Program

Join the Imani Center - Where Culture, Healing, and Community Meet

Are you a passionate Mental Health Counselor ready to make a meaningful impact in the Black and African American community? At the Imani Center, we provide culturally specific, integrated behavioral health services rooted in cultural identity, trust, and collaboration.

Imani means faith in self, in healing, and community. We serve individuals facing the unique impacts of racism, stigma, and systemic injustice through trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.

In this role, you will:

• Provide therapy and assessments through a culturally specific lens
• Support outreach, crisis response, and holistic care across mental health, addiction, and housing
• Build community connections and advocate for clients' well-being
• Collaborate with a diverse, dedicated team across the Imani and Karibu programs

What you bring:

• Experience working with African American communities
• Strong clinical skills in mental health and/or addiction
• Commitment to anti-oppressive, culturally grounded care
• A collaborative, compassionate spirit
  
  

This is more than a job-it's a mission. Help restore faith and resilience in a community that deserves nothing less.

Salary starting at $65,000 and increases with professional experience and licensure/certifications!

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30a-5:30p

Location: SE Portland near 20th & Powell

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must meet qualifications for:




• QMHP
• CSWA
• LPC-a or LPC
• LMFT-A or LMFT
• LCSW




• Must have a Master's Degree.
• Experience with culturally specific outpatient mental health services required
• 3-5 years of experience practicing as a QMHP is HIGHLY PREFERRED
• CADC-R preferred.
• Has the competencies necessary to:




• Identify precipitating events
• Gather histories of mental, emotional and physical disabilities, alcohol and drug use, past mental health services, and criminal justice contacts
• Assess family, social, and work relationships
• Conduct a mental status assessment
• Document a multi-axial DSM diagnosis
• Write and implement or supervise the implementation of a treatment plan
• Conduct and document a mental health assessment
• Provide mental health treatment and rehabilitative services within one's scope of practice




• Must meet CCC privileging requirements as required by FTCA.
• Current CPR certification required prior to start.
• Must be registered with MHACBO, at minimum, a QMHP-R.
• Will be required to carry an agency cell phone for work use which will be provided by Central City Concern.
• Must have reliable access to transportation for regular outreach activities. If using a vehicle for agency use: Must possess a current driver's license, access to a vehicle, qualify as an Acceptable Driver as designated in Central City Concern's Fleet Safety policy; pass an initial drivers training within 60 days (about 2 months) of being an approved driver and continued recertification training; and maintain vehicle insurance coverage of a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 personal auto liability coverage.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, TB Test, and background check. This includes clearance by the DHS Background Check Unit.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull, and lift heavy objects.
• Must be able to climb stairs several times a day.
• Must adhere to agency's non-discrimination policies.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliations, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and sexual orientations, and treat individuals with respect and dignity.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Participate in culturally specific outreach efforts to engage prospective clients, including appointments, home visits, and community-based service
• Develop relationships with organizations, providers, community leaders, and advocacy groups serving the African American community.
• Connect participants with culturally specific community services and support.
• Provide services to both Imani and Karibu program clients.
• Collect information regarding clients' history through a combination of interviewing, records review, and consultation, after obtaining written consent.
• Conduct and document Mental Health and/or ASAM Assessments, including mental status exam, DSM diagnosis, and clinical formulation.
• Develop service plan with client.
• Participate in evaluating clients for risk of harm & initiate Directors Custody transport holds when appropriate.
• Use culturally sensitive lens to guide all aspects of service delivery, ensuring that the impact of socio-political & cultural factors are consistently considered
• Participate in clinical staff meetings and case conferences with team members to utilize interdisciplinary expertise and facilitate individual treatment plans for clients;
• Collaborate with Residential facilities, and other housing partners to provide necessary treatment services and coordinate residential and non-residential treatment and service planning.
• Participate in admission and discharge planning for any client needing hospitalization or subacute level of care.
• Monitor and ensure that the health and safety needs of clients are met.
• Maintain client records and documents as required by program standards and funding requirements including documentation of clinical interactions, behavioral health assessments & individual service plans.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision, seeking additional supervision whenever necessary. Minimum requirement two hours of documented supervision per month.
• Attend required meetings and training.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and to CCC policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security. Support compliance with all privacy and security requirements pursuant to community partners' and outside providers' patient confidentiality agreements, including privacy and security requirements for EMR This includes immediate reporting of any PHI breach of CCC or outside provider health records to the CCC Legal and Quality departments and the program administrator.
• Conduct educational and therapeutic groups for clients, using approved curriculum.
• Coordinate services with all members of client's support network.
• Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Assist with the development of an integrated treatment program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge and skills in counseling and assessment techniques with individuals and groups including assessing for risk of danger to self and others.
• Advanced knowledge and skills in mental health and substance use treatment methods, and crisis intervention.
• Knowledge of evidenced-based practices & awareness of EBPs limitations with non-dominate communities
• Demonstrates knowledge of resources in the African American community
• Knowledge and understanding of the cultural, sociopolitical, and historical context of the community being served, and the impact of that context on health needs; ability to use this knowledge to apply a culturally specific lens to all aspects of service delivery
• Knowledge of anti-oppressive principles.
• Knowledge and understanding of racism and other oppressions and their impact on individuals, families, and communities
• Demonstrated commitment and experience in applying anti-oppressive principles personally and professionally
• Ability to provide leadership including the ability to motivate and inspire people
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to be trained in de-escalation methods.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in an environment subject to ambiguity and change.
• Working knowledge of integrated treatment, recovery models of treatment and trauma-informed care.
• Computer skills necessary to accomplish duties.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients and groups.
• Ability to work as a team member, remain flexible and to establish priorities as a group.
• Ability to apply principles learned to new situations.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Creative, innovative, and progressive problem-solver.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population.
• Ability to work independently, manage time, prioritize the workload, problem-solve, and complete tasks in a timely fashion.
• Ability to multi-task and remain calm in a busy and stressful environment.
• Ability to be a detail oriented, flexible, dependable, positive team player.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude.
• Knowledge of community and social service agencies.
• Sufficient manual dexterity and physical ability to perform assigned tasks.
• Ability to work courteously and effectively communicate with the general public, clients, medical personnel, corrections personnel, police, and co-workers.

Benefits at Central City Concern offered to our employees!

Central City Concern offers incredible benefits to our employees. We offer an extensive total rewards package to include base wages, medical, dental, vision, and voluntary plans. Central City Concern also takes employees' financial wellness into consideration and provides a rich retirement match.

• Generous paid time off plan beginning at 4 weeks of PTO accrual per year! Accrual amount/rate increases with longevity.
• Amazing 403(b) Retirement Savings plan with an employer match of 4.25% in your 1st year, 6% in the 2nd year, and 8% in your 3rd year!
• 11 recognized Holidays & 2 Personal Holidays
• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance coverage.
• Employer-Paid Life, Short-Term Disability, & Long-Term Disability Insurance!
• Sabbatical Program offering extended time off at years 7, 14, and 21.
• Relocation packages available for qualified candidates!

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.

As an agency deeply rooted in recovery, part of our policy and commitment to a drug and alcohol-free workplace includes post-offer, and pre-employment drug screens. Please note we follow Federal Guidelines regarding prohibited substances, even for those legal at the state level.

CCC values and celebrates diversity in race, heritage, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, and disability. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we prioritize active inclusion of diverse staff.

Central City Concern is a second-chance employer and complies with applicable laws regarding the consideration of criminal background for employment purposes. Government regulations, contractual requirements, or the duties of this particular job may require CCC to conduct a background check and take appropriate action to address prior criminal convictions.