Denton County MHMR Center, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), is committed to fostering an inclusive, trauma-informed, and welcoming environment that embraces and celebrates diversity and equity. The Center strives to create a collaborative and encouraging atmosphere, where individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and lifestyles feel respected, supported, and valued. Integrity, honesty, and kindness are core values that help create a strong and supportive organization that delivers high quality, person-centered care.
General Description
Under the direction of the Program Manager of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) and with federal, state, and local guidelines performs routine human services support work. Work involves providing information to individuals participating in the AOT program. This will include individuals who are court ordered to receive outpatient treatment with the Center due to acuity or extensive history of involvement with justice, mental health, and/or court systems.
Contributes as a member of the AOT program in a peer support capacity to facilitate recovery and enhance wellness. Serves as a role model for recovery, for staff and consumers. Supports people using services to develop self-help skills. Provides practical support for people using services to access and utilize community support networks, such as transportation support, accompaniment, etc. Educates people about the range of available services in and beyond the agency. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
This is a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant funded position ending in September of 2028. Continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of additional funding. If further funding is not secured, the position will end on September 29, 2028.
Education, Training and Experience
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent certificate and minimum of 1-year mental health services.
- Must self-identify as a person who has direct personal experience living in recovery from mental health challenges.
- Must have a primary diagnosis of a mental health condition or dual diagnosis, rather than just a substance abuse diagnosis, or have experienced emotional distress which significantly disrupted one's life.
- Have significant experience working on their own recovery and an ability to manage their own wellness. Have a desire to use their experiences to help others with their recovery.
- Be willing to publicly identify as a person living in recovery for the purpose of educating, role modeling, and providing hope to others about the reality of recovery.
REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must have and maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifying offenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.
- Individuals with an out of state driver's license must be able to obtain a driver's license in the state of Texas within thirty (30) days.
- Successful completion of all position-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of the needs, problems, and community environments of persons with disabilities; of community and government service delivery systems; of case management systems; and of community welfare resources.
- Skill in the operation of computers and applicable computer software.
- Ability to negotiate services and to communicate effectively.
- Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.
- Peer Support Certification (may be acquired after hire date).
- Ability to display regular and reliable (in-person, if required) attendance.
Essential Duties
The following list outlines key responsibilities for the position; however, it is not exhaustive and does not encompass all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.
- Contributes as a member of the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Team in a peer support capacity to facilitate recovery and enhance wellness.
- Serves as a role model for recovery, for staff and consumers.
- Supports people using services to develop self-help skills.
- Provides practical support for individuals served to access and utilize community support networks, such as transportation support, accompaniment, etc.
- Educates and assists individuals served with completing program satisfaction surveys prior to discharge from the AOT program.
- Assists with transportation needs of individuals served in the AOT program.
- Provides transportation as needed, adhering to the Center transportation procedures.
- Co-facilitates groups for individuals served in the AOT program as determined appropriate by Program Manager.
- Educates people about the range of available services in and beyond the Center.
- Maintains updated knowledge of resources available in the community for critical needs, such as food, shelter, medical, and substance use.
- Serves all individuals without regard to their background or history.
- Models and practices recovery principles in all activities including hope, empowerment, responsibility, mutuality, and self-determination.
- Demonstrates knowledge of grant goals and objectives, to include but not limited to:
- Reducing recidivism rates in the court and criminal justice system.
- Reducing rapid re-admission to local and state psychiatric hospitals.
- Increasing individuals' participation in their mental health treatment.
- Assist with data collection as needed to aid in sustainability efforts for the AOT program.
- Participate in a stakeholder advisory group of key community stakeholders.
- Participates in status conferences with the individual's treatment team as needed.
- Helps coordinate transportation for the individual as needed.
- Actively participates and provides insight into the individual's progress or lack of progress.
- Completes monthly (or more frequent) status reports as needed.
- Participate in discharge planning for everyone served in the AOT program.
- Engage in a treatment team meeting to discuss an appropriate level of care for everyone upon completion of the AOT program (end of court order).
- Attends transition appointments with newly assigned case manager/community provider as needed.
- Maintains compliance with all state and agency training requirements, including Service Coordination and Medicaid Reimbursement and Billing Protocol.
- Follows the agency and departmental policies and procedures in a responsible manner consistent with the Center's mission.
- Is present and on duty with no excessive time off.
- All use of vacation, compensatory, personal leave time is authorized in advance.
- Is aware of and demonstrates safe working habits.
- Complies with all facility safety standards set in place with the intention of protecting employees and individuals served.
- Attends all team meetings as assigned.
- Communicates with supervisor if unable to attend a team meeting and meets with supervisor or designated staff within one week to go over agenda.
- Ensures timesheet is kept up to date and accurately reflects time worked.
- Approves timesheet by deadline provided.
- Participates in the Center's Zero Suicide Initiative .
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Supports individuals experiencing a crisis by promptly connecting them with appropriate Center programs, such as the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Psychiatric Triage, Crisis Prevention services, and/or other applicable resources. Ensures seamless coordination to facilitate timely intervention.
Remains with individuals, when deemed safe, to provide support and maintain a calm environment until specialized crisis staff or emergency personnel arrive to take over intervention efforts. Adheres to safety protocols to prevent escalation of the crisis situation.
Participates in debriefing sessions with the immediate supervisor or designated staff following a crisis event. Collaborates with the team to review the incident, identify lessons learned, and ensure all HHSC guidelines and Center policies are followed.
