Denton County MHMR Center employees are to strive to maintain a trauma sensitive workplace, to embrace trauma sensitive and informed practices, and to foster a supportive and welcoming environment of care.

Under direction of the FEP Team Lead and within federal, state, and local guidelines the FEP CM provides moderately complex case management services to individuals between the ages of 15 and 30 experiencing their first episode of psychosis. FEP is a grant funded Coordinated Specialty Care program through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This program uses a team-based, person centered, and recovery oriented approach to help Clients manage not only their psychiatric symptoms, but also to help them achieve success in other areas of life such as education and employment. The FEP program serves Denton County residents between the ages of 15-30 who have experienced their first episode of psychosis symptoms starting within the past 2 years. The FEP Team caseload is 20-30 Clients who are all cared for by the interdisciplinary team. FEP CM duties involve developing and maintaining long-term relationships with clients, client families, and service providers for medical, social, substance abuse, and related service needs. This position may train others.

Education, Training, and Experience (including licensure and certification)

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a human services field as required to qualify as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), which includes a minimum of 31 college hours in human services courses. Two (2) years prior experience in a mental health field required and Crisis experience or experience working with individuals who have experienced symptoms of psychosis preferred.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Individual will need to meet the requirements to qualify as a QMHP.
• All job specific training is required to be completed within 30 days of hire.
• This position requires the individual to maintain a valid Texas driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to the Centers insurance requirements.
• The position requires adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and/or guidelines of HHSC and DCMHMR. Other specific laws, regulations, policies, procedures and/or guidelines which must be followed include: Medicaid Rehabilitation Standards, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), and Specifications of Performance Contracts with HHSC.
• This position requires ability to perform the techniques of PMAB (Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behaviors). Training will be provided.
• This position requires ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Training will be provided.
• This position requires knowledge of causes and treatment of mental illness and related conditions.
• This position requires the individual to maintain a calm and efficient demeanor during crisis situations.
• This position requires the individual to have the ability to organize one's time and prioritize responsibilities which would enable one to complete all duties as assigned.
• Qualified candidates will hold an honest belief that community intervention is, except on rare occasions, the most beneficial to the individual in the long term.
• Qualified candidates will have the ability to identify and access the most viable treatment option for a variety of individuals.
• Individuals who may be most successful in this position may be those who enjoy working with a younger population (ages 15-30,) enjoy discovering and learning about new resources in the community, can utilize patience in teaching new skills, and those that enjoy diversity in work settings. Individuals who adapt well to change and inconsistent scheduling may appreciate and find this position exciting and best suited to their personalities. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.
• Moderate mathematics skills. Proficient reading, writing, interpersonal relations and communicative skills; ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program and staff performance and in operating a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to assess Clients' needs, to coordinate Clients' services, and to communicate effectively.
• Resourcefulness, especially in regards to finding specific resources, forming relationships with community agencies, and helping Clients access resources.
• Knowledge of some of the long standing community resources; of case management principles, objectives, standards, and methods; and of program policies and procedures.
• Approachable, non-judgmental, and friendly attitude to aid in forming relationships with Clients, families, and resource providers in the community.
• Ability to write effective documentation of services including case management notes, recovery plans, and contact notes. Training will be provided.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations.
• Highly effective in working objectively with a diverse group of people and ability to demonstrate communication, organizational, administrative, and office managerial skills. Computer skills required in both clinical and clerical programs.
• Ability to make decisions based on education and/or clinical experience, which reflect consistency with Agency philosophy, Center's Guiding Principles, Center's policies and procedures, and standards of care.

Essential Duties

As the Case Manager (CM) of clients in the COMPASS program, you will be their direct link, representative, and advocate to all other services provided by Denton County MHMR. The FEP CM is responsible for spending a majority of their time performing the following duties:

• Connect Clients to and ensuring communication of needs with all other COMPASS Team providers including the Team Lead/therapist, Supported Employment and Education Specialist, Peer Specialist, Certified Family Partner, Nurse, and Psychiatrist.
• Works as liaison between client and community providers and advocates for Clients as needed, both in Center services and with other community agencies.
• Meet with Clients to identify recovery plan goals and objectives.
• Follow up with Clients, on a regular basis, to aid them in achieving their recovery plan goals and objectives. This aid may come in the form of accountability, finding and connecting Clients to community resources, education regarding diagnosis and symptom management, and specific skills training.
• Aid in identifying and alleviating barriers to achieving recovery plan goals and objectives.
• Provide skills training in a variety of areas including coping skills, activities of daily living, independent living, life management skills, communication, etc...
• Take extra steps in helping Clients connect with community resources, which may include help in filling out applications, attending appointments, and following up to resolve barriers to obtaining resources.
• Ongoing research and updating of additional resources in the community and within the center to build a referral network.
• Establish and maintain relationships with Client families and support system.
• Work collaboratively with treatment team to monitor symptoms and assess for risk on a continuous basis.
• Refer Clients to Mobile Crisis Outreach team when reports of risk reach threshold. Maintain contact and support with Clients during times of crisis and crisis treatment.
• Provide transportation to Clients to and from appointments.
• Aid Clients in appropriate discharge planning and connection to the succeeding providers.
• Participate in team building activities by attending scheduled team meetings, utilizing clinical supervision as needed and maintaining positive communication with colleagues and supervisor.
• Upkeep various electronic information tracking systems to ensure program fidelity markers are met.
• Duties expected to be done under moderate supervision.
• FEP CM is encouraged to meet Clients in the community as much as possible and at least once quarterly.

Additionally, all FEP Team members will be responsible for completing the following duties from time to time:

• Follow up on referrals and complete intake documents for new FEP Clients.
• Take turn in answering after hours phone calls weekday nights and weekends.
• Be a contributing member of the FEP outreach and referral team, which provides periodic community outreach services such as presentations and education.
• Interact with Clients not directly assigned to you, reviews records, and act as a member of the interdisciplinary team to help evaluate effective client treatment.
• Lead Client group skills training sessions.
• Provide skills training in areas specific to employment and education to provide coverage for the Supported Employment and Education Specialist.
• Perform additional duties as deemed necessary by department supervisor within designated timeframes.

All Denton County Staff have the following additional duties:

• Completion of all Client documentation via electronic record system within 2 business days of event.
• Maintaining acceptable driving record as required for DCMHMR insurance.
• Training in and adherence to the Trauma Informed Care Practices adopted by Denton County MHMR.