Qualified Mental Health Professional

Description

The Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) – Law Enforcement Co-Responder is responsible for providing field-based behavioral health assessment, crisis intervention, stabilization, and coordinated care services in partnership with law enforcement agencies throughout Eugene and Lane County, Oregon.

 The following functions have been determined by Ideal Option to be essential to the successful performance of this position, including but not limited to: 

Law Enforcement Co-Response and Crisis Intervention 

• Respond alongside or at the request of participating law enforcement agencies to calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use-related behavioral health needs, suicidal ideation, psychiatric symptoms, homelessness, or repeated emergency system involvement. 
• Conduct field-based behavioral health screenings and assessments within the QMHP's professional scope of practice. 
• Assess immediate behavioral health needs, risk factors, protective factors, and the appropriate level of intervention. 
• Provide crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, emotional stabilization, and individualized safety planning. 
• Assist law enforcement personnel in identifying behavioral health needs and determining appropriate options for intervention. 
• Identify and facilitate clinically appropriate alternatives to arrest, incarceration, and unnecessary emergency department utilization. 
• Provide behavioral health consultation to responding officers while respecting established law enforcement authority, operational procedures, and public safety responsibilities. 
• Assist in determining when additional emergency medical, psychiatric, or crisis services are necessary. 
• Coordinate voluntary access to behavioral health treatment, withdrawal management, crisis stabilization, shelter, housing, and other community resources. 
• Participate in coordinated responses involving individuals with complex behavioral health, substance use, and social service needs. 
• Maintain professional boundaries and utilize trauma-informed, culturally responsive, person-centered approaches during all interactions. 

Behavioral Health Assessment and Clinical Support 

• Conduct behavioral health assessments and screenings consistent with professional qualifications, agency policies, and applicable Oregon Health Authority requirements. 
• Identify symptoms and behaviors associated with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions. 
• Evaluate suicide risk, self-harm concerns, and potential threats to others, implementing appropriate safety procedures. 
• Develop individualized crisis intervention and stabilization recommendations. 
• Assist individuals in identifying immediate treatment needs and establishing realistic short-term goals. 
• Provide brief, evidence-informed interventions and motivational interviewing to encourage engagement in treatment and supportive services. 
• Recognize the impact of trauma, adverse life experiences, and social determinants of health on behavioral health outcomes. 
• Coordinate with licensed clinical professionals and other authorized providers when clinical needs exceed the QMHP's scope of practice. 
• Participate in clinical consultation, supervision, and case review as required. 
• Support continuity of care through appropriate follow-up and coordination with treatment providers. 

Deflection Program Integration and Coordination 

• Work collaboratively with Ideal Option's Lane County Deflection Program to identify individuals who may qualify for diversion or deflection from the criminal justice system. 
• Coordinate with the Downtown Navigation Team to address behavioral health needs involving individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and repeated law enforcement contacts. 
• Partner with the Fire/EMS Navigator Team to assist individuals with repeated emergency medical service utilization and unmet behavioral health needs. 
• Facilitate warm handoffs to Ideal Option's medication-assisted treatment services and other appropriate behavioral health providers. 
• Coordinate referrals to withdrawal management, residential treatment, outpatient services, crisis stabilization, peer support, and recovery housing. 
• Collaborate with forensic peers, certified recovery mentors, navigators, case managers, and clinical providers to support ongoing engagement. 
• Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences involving law enforcement, behavioral health professionals, emergency responders, and community partners. 
• Identify service gaps and barriers that prevent individuals from successfully accessing treatment and recovery services. 
• Support individualized service coordination plans designed to reduce repeated crisis episodes and criminal justice involvement. 

Community Partnerships and Interagency Collaboration 

• Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with participating law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, hospitals, behavioral health providers, and community service organizations. 
• Collaborate with the Eugene Police Department and other participating Lane County law enforcement agencies as authorized by program agreements. 
• Maintain familiarity with community-based behavioral health resources, crisis response systems, and available treatment services. 
• Provide education and consultation to community partners regarding behavioral health conditions, crisis intervention, substance use disorders, and available treatment resources. 
• Assist in strengthening relationships between law enforcement, behavioral health systems, and community service providers. 
• Support efforts to improve access to treatment, reduce unnecessary criminal justice involvement, and promote coordinated community responses. 

Documentation, Data Collection, and Reporting 

• Complete accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of all behavioral health contacts, assessments, interventions, referrals, and follow-up activities. 
• Maintain appropriate records in designated electronic health record systems and program reporting platforms, including eClinicalWorks (eCW), Apricot, or other approved systems as applicable. 
• Document relevant risk assessments, safety plans, referral outcomes, and coordination with partner agencies. 
• Track program activity, including law enforcement co-responses, behavioral health interventions, deflection referrals, treatment connections, and follow-up outcomes. 
• Participate in quality improvement activities and program evaluation. 
• Submit required reports in accordance with Ideal Option policies, contractual obligations, and program requirements. 
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure that all information sharing complies with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, Oregon confidentiality laws, and applicable interagency agreements. 
• Immediately report critical incidents, safety concerns, and other reportable events through established organizational procedures. 
• Comply with applicable federal and state privacy and confidentiality laws, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2. 

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Strong knowledge of mental health disorders, substance use disorders, co-occurring conditions, and behavioral health crisis intervention. 
• Demonstrated ability to conduct behavioral health screenings, clinical assessments, and crisis risk evaluations within professional scope. 
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, suicide prevention, and verbal de-escalation techniques. 
• Ability to work effectively with law enforcement, emergency responders, healthcare professionals, and community-based organizations. 
• Strong understanding of behavioral health crisis response systems, criminal justice diversion, and deflection programs. 
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and effective in unpredictable, high-stress, or potentially dangerous situations. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and relationship-building skills. 
• Ability to engage individuals experiencing significant behavioral health symptoms, substance use challenges, or unstable living circumstances. 
• Strong clinical judgment, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. 
• Ability to recognize professional limitations and seek appropriate clinical consultation. 
• Excellent written communication, documentation, and organizational skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, priorities, and deadlines. 
• Ability to work independently in community settings while maintaining coordination with clinical and program leadership. 
• Understanding of local behavioral health treatment resources and community support systems. 
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and personal backgrounds. 
• Commitment to person-centered, nonjudgmental, recovery-oriented services. 
• Must be reliable, professional, and highly trustworthy. 
• Must be familiar with Microsoft Office products, including Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel. 
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Ability to maintain confidential, accurate, and meticulous records. 
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and ethical conduct. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams. 

EDUCATION: 

Required: 

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, behavioral health, or a closely related field, together with the education, experience, and competencies necessary to qualify as a QMHP under applicable Oregon rules and the employer's approved program requirements. 

Preferred: 

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a related behavioral health discipline. 
• Graduate-level training in clinical assessment, crisis intervention, behavioral health treatment, or related services. 
• Additional education or specialized training in substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, forensic behavioral health, or criminal justice diversion. 

EXPERIENCE: 

Required: 

• Demonstrated experience providing behavioral health services, assessments, or crisis intervention appropriate to the candidate's QMHP qualification pathway. 
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or co-occurring conditions. 
• Ability to provide field-based behavioral health services and coordinate with multidisciplinary professionals. 
• Experience completing professional behavioral health documentation and maintaining confidential client records. 

Preferred: 

• Two or more years of experience in behavioral health crisis intervention, community mental health, emergency behavioral health, or related services. 
• Experience working in law enforcement co-response, mobile crisis, crisis stabilization, or criminal justice diversion programs. 
• Familiarity with Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), Oregon deflection programs, and community-based alternatives to incarceration. 
• Experience collaborating with law enforcement, emergency medical services, hospitals, and correctional facilities. 
• Knowledge of Lane County behavioral health resources and community service systems. 
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, chronic substance use, or repeated emergency service involvement. 
• Experience with interdisciplinary case conferencing and coordinated care planning. 
• Experience using electronic health records and program data systems. 

LICENSES/CERTIFICATION: 

Required: 

• Must meet applicable Oregon QMHP qualification standards and complete any required qualification verification or credentialing process before independently performing duties requiring QMHP status. 
• Current driver's license and ability to meet Ideal Option's driving and insurability requirements when operating a vehicle for work. 
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within the employer-established onboarding period. 
• Completion of required organizational training, safety training, and clinical orientation.