General Description

The Liaison Services Team Lead works under the leadership of the Program Manager of Liaison Services and is responsible for assisting all liaison positions under the guidance of the Program Manager of Liaison Services by developing relationships with all local psychiatric hospitals, jail, court staff, and other community partners to ensure continuity of care for individuals served. The Liaison Services Team Lead will assist with monitoring performance contract measures to ensure compliance and develop program processes as needed to improve outcomes of the liaison program. The team lead will assist the Program Manager of Liaison Services with monitoring of the various liaison positions to ensure appropriate use of Center liaison resources and staff utilization. 

This is a SMART Innovation grant funded position ending in August of 2025. Continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of additional funding. If further funding is not secured, the position will end on August 31, 2025.

Education, Training, and Experience

•   Bachelor's degree in a human services field (qualifying as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)) required.
•   Requires experience working with individuals diagnosed with a mental illness and experience with crisis intervention services.
•   Master's Degree in a human service-related field preferred.
•   Preferred experience in a community mental health center and/or hospital setting.

Registration, Certification, Licensure, and 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.

o  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 local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas.
•   Knowledge and background in mental health services.
•   Knowledge of serious and persistent mental disorders, personality disorders and substance use/dependence disorders encompassed in the DSM-5-TR.
•   Proficient reading, writing, interpersonal relations, and communicative skills; ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
•   Skills in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems and in operating computers and applicable computer software.
•   Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and in group situations.
•   Highly effective at working objectively with a diverse group of people and must demonstrate communication, organizational, administrative skills.
•   Ability to make decisions based on education preparation and/or clinical experience, which reflect consistency with Center philosophy, policies and procedures, and standards of care for both the Center and local psychiatric hospitals in which the Center contracts with.
•   Ability to display regular and reliable (in-person, if required) attendance.
•   Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.

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.

1.  Acts as liaison between the Center's liaison services and community partners to ensure continuity of care plans for individuals served.

o  Attends and leads (as needed) monthly meetings with the Center's contract hospitals.

o  Attends and actively participates in community and Center meetings as assigned by crisis leadership or other executive leadership staff.

o  Promptly replies to emails from community partners (within one (1) hour).

  i.  Reaches out to supervisor for assistance as needed.

2.  Provides community training and education as assigned.

3.  Completes aftercare appointments for child and adolescents discharged from a local or contract psychiatric hospital.

o  Aftercare appointments should be completed day of discharge, however, may be scheduled for the next business day at the request of the individual served or collateral.

  i.  The individual served must at minimum be spoken with on day of discharge, along with collateral to ensure no current risk is being reported and medication needs are met.

o  At each aftercare appointment a Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Since Last Visit Form will be completed to assess for risk and potential need for a risk of harm assessment.

o  At each aftercare appointment the following should occur:

  i.  All required paperwork and tasks will be completed.

1.  Child and Adolescent Needs and Strength Assessment (CANS)

2.  Person Centered Recovery Plan

3.  Case manager assignment and attempt to introduce the individual to their case manager same day.

4.  Communication via email with case manager, appropriate managers, and appropriate staff

5.  Facilitate completion of Satisfaction Survey, regarding their stay at the hospital

6.  Provide referrals as needed.

7.  Coordinate with clinic to schedule psychiatric evaluation for the individual served who will be continuing services with the Center.

a.  Assure appropriate hospital discharge information, including discharge medication, is communicated at the time of scheduling this appointment.

8.  Upload discharge clinicals to the electronic health record.

  ii.  For individuals who decline services with the Center add them to the appropriate tracker and follow up within 1 week for continuity of care.

1.  Call the individual/legally authorized representative to complete follow up.

2.  Send caring contact (letter) to individuals after the phone call.

3.  Provide client crisis hotline and 988 number.

  iii.  For individuals moving to out of Denton County location, provide 988 and local mental health authority (LMHA) crisis hotline number.

1.  Follow up via phone within one week to ensure continuity of care.

4.  Completes 24-hour follow-up for child and adolescents currently in local psychiatric hospitals via phone or face to face, as necessary.

o  Everyone who receives a risk of harm assessment by Center crisis staff must receive a follow up within 24 hours of the initial call.

5.  Monitors performance measures to ensure compliance with the Center's Health and Human Services (HHS) contract.

o  Remains knowledgeable of requirements of the Center's performance contract.

o  Attends and actively participates in performance measure meetings led by the Center's UM/QM department.

o  Establishes or uses existing methods for monitoring of performance measures to ensure compliance.

6.  Completes hospital seven (7) day follow up report as needed.

o  Monitors the seven (7) day follow up report and immediately addresses any missed follow ups, ensuring continuity of care for individuals served.

7.  Assists the program manager with targeted audits or chart reviews of liaison staff to ensure compliance with Center and state policies and procedures.

8.  Assists the program manager with other tasks as assigned, including but not limited to:

o  16.22 and other screening reviews and corrections

o  Meeting with staff to provide coaching and guidance.

o  Monitoring and updating the inpatient care waitlist in the Clinical Management for Behavioral Health Services (CMBHS) system.

o  Monitoring and updating the court ordered outpatient list in CMBHS.

o  Monitoring existing corrective action plans

9.  Fills in, in the absence of another liaison staff member.

o  Is familiar with all tasks associated with all liaisons positions including:

  i.  Court

  ii.  Jail

  iii.  School

  iv.  Crisis prevention

  v.  Hospital

10.  All documentation should be entered into the electronic health record within two business days, in compliance with Center procedure.

o  For documentation involving crisis situations documentation requirements may be less than two business days, as determined by crisis leadership staff.

11.  Is familiar with Texas Administrative Code, HHSC guidelines, and performance contract information to ensure compliance.

12.  Assists with transportation needs of individuals served in MCOT services.

o  Provides transportation as needed, adhering to the Center transportation procedures.

13.  Participates in the Center's Zero Suicide Initiative.

o  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.

o  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.

o  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.

14.  Completes all other duties as assigned by program manager or executive leadership.

o  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. Ensure seamless coordination to facilitate timely intervention.

o  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.

o  Participates in debriefing sessions with the immediate supervisor or designated staff following a crisis event. Collaborate with the team to review the incident, identify lessons learned, and ensure all HHSC guidelines and Center policies are followed.