The MCOT LPHA Assessor works under the leadership of the Program Manager of MCOT and performs advanced therapeutic work. Work involves completing risk of harm assessments and determining the least restrictive treatment option for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Work also involves providing counseling as needed, under supervision for individuals who do not yet qualify as an Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA), with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Education, Training and Experience (including licensure and certification)
· Associate licensure moving towards full licensure in a human services field that meets the requirements to qualify as a Licensed Professional of Healing Arts (LPHA) required. Licensure must be recognized by the state of Texas. Requires current licensing from the state of Texas.
· Licensure qualifying as a Licensed Professional of Healing Arts (LPHA) preferred.
· Six months MCOT experience required; One year MCOT experience preferred.
· One year of counseling experience preferred.
· English/Spanish bilingual preferred.
REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
· Licensure through the state of Texas as a: Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate or Licensed Master Social Worker required.
o Individuals meeting this requirement must be moving towards full licensure to qualify as an LPHA. In the event an individual is no longer actively working on clinical hours and testing to obtain full licensure to qualify as an LPHA, they will no longer meet the eligibility requirements for this position. Verification is required, such as verification of LPC-Associate and LMSW status. Further documentation may be necessary for verification purposes such as supervisor agreement forms signed by an individual licensed to practice as a clinical supervisor for these disciplines.
· Active license through the state of Texas as a: Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker is preferred.
· Possession of a valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance required.
· 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.
Position Title: MCOT LPHA Assessor LPC/LPC-Associate/LMSW/LCSW (LPHA)
Department: Crisis PAL: 24/350
Reports to: Program Manager of MCOT
FTE Status: FT Work Model: In person
Schedule: Monday – Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM ? Exempt ? Non-Exempt
· Successful completion of all position-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Skill in interviewing, listening, and in the operation of computers and applicable computer software.
· Ability to screen and evaluate individuals served, to provide appropriate referrals/resources to individuals served, to prepare reports, and to communicate effectively.
· Ability to convey instructions and explanations to individuals served and interested parties, to identify available services, and to train others.
· Highly effective in working objectively with a diverse group of people and be able to demonstrate communication, organizational, administrative, office managerial skills, and ability to train others.
· Computer skills required for both clinical and clerical programs.
· Ability to travel during working hours throughout Denton County to meet with individuals at locations that could include jail settings, medical and psychiatric hospital settings, and individual residence settings.
· Ability to make decisions based on education and/or clinical experience, which reflect consistency with Center’s Guiding Principles, Policies and Procedures, and Standards of Care.
· Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.
Essential Duties
Below is a list of essential duties of the position. Other duties may be assigned as needed.
1. Attends and participates in all scheduled meetings.
o Attends all Crisis team meetings as scheduled and signs in for meetings to acknowledge presence and understanding of the topics discussed.
o Attend all other pertinent meetings as scheduled and communicate with supervisor when unavailable.
o Meets with supervisor within one week of missed meeting to review agenda.
2. Provides courteous, professional services at all times.
o Maintain professional boundaries.
o Maintains professionalism when interacting with center staff, individuals served, and community members.
3. Enters time worked accurately each day and submits time sheet by deadline given.
o Utilize timeclock system
o Audit punches up to a week at a time to ensure accuracy.
o Submits timesheets by deadline given.
4. Provides emergency/crisis intervention when necessary, according to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), trauma informed care principles, and center policies and procedures.
o Respond to all calls assigned within a maximum of ten minutes.
o Complete triages as assigned. Notify and staff with appropriate manager if needed.
5. Presents to all Risk of Harm (ROH) Assessments within one hour of receiving the call if in the community and 10 minutes of receiving the call if at the office or virtual.
o Community assessments may be completed at secure locations within Denton County limits such as any of our DCMHMR locations, City Jails, Denton County Jail, medical hospitals, behavioral health hospitals, and schools.
o MCOT also assesses individuals at unsecure locations such as private residences or facilities that do not have law enforcement or student resource officers present. If assessments are completed at unsecure locations, local law enforcement is called to accompany MCOT on scene.
o MCOT staff may be asked to complete ROH assessments in a team of 2 or individually depending on availability of resources and appropriate training.
6. Collaborates with MCOT team members to determine least restrictive treatment through screening form and other assessment methods.
o Discuss treatment recommendations at the end of every ROH Assessment.
o Ensure all appropriate documentation is complete within the timeframes allotted.
7. Collaborates on an individual level and with community agencies to carry out least restrictive environment.
o Arrange or provide transportation as needed.
o Facilitate ensure safety as needed.
o Coordinate/confirm admission to inpatient facility as needed.
8. Ensures follow-up on 100% of individuals screened within 24 hours.
o Complete and/or ensures screening email is sent to all necessary parties, with all necessary information to complete 24-hour follow up.
o Follow up appointment is documented in the appropriate schedule.
o Complete follow up appointments as assigned.
o Follow ups are completed at unsecure and secure locations without law enforcement present.
9. Completes Adult Needs and Strength Assessment (ANSA)/Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment at time of Risk of Harm assessment to determine whether an individual qualifies for a crisis level of care.
o Document clients determined level of care in crisis assessment and screening email.
10. Works collaboratively with MCOT to ensure all necessary level of care 9,0, and 5 services are provided.
o Complete follow ups, LOC5 appointments, aftercare, and case management appointments as assigned within deadline given.
o Communicate recommendations to necessary staff (i.e. Counselor, Supervisors, Psychiatrist, Case Manager, etc.).
o Provides transportation for individuals served as assigned.
11. Develops Crisis/Recovery plans collaboratively with individuals served.
o Crisis plans are completed at time of risk of harm assessment/recovery plans are completed during LOC5 appointments, case management appointments, aftercare appointments, or at time of modified intake into Mental Health services.
o All persons with a substance abuse diagnosis, have a recovery plan goal which addresses substance use needs.
o All recovery plan objectives are individualized and measurable.
o The recovery plan is reviewed as needed and updated when the individual served identifies new goals or completes goals.
12. Provides Brief Intervention Therapy (BIT) and/or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for individuals in level of care 5 services, as needed.
o Maintain and updates counseling schedule.
o Complete counseling documentation within 2 business days and documents Suicidal/Homicidal Ideations utilizing since last visit Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS) and next appointment date and time.
o Maintain counseling case load, as needed.
o Contact clients the same day of missed counseling appointment for follow up.
13. Completes aftercare appointments with individuals released from the contract hospitals or state hospital the same business day and link those clients to appropriate center/community resources.
o Complete aftercares as assigned including all necessary paperwork.
o Assign case manager and communicates via email new client information, along with any treatment recommendations. Copies new case manager’s supervisor on emails.
o Collaboratively facilitate completion of satisfaction survey and turns into appropriate person by end of business day.
o Ensure individual served gains access to medications by completing necessary paperwork and faxing to pharmacy when applicable.
o Provides referrals as needed.
14. Completes LPHA assessments for Crisis Residential Unit (CRU) admission as assigned.
o When applicable collaboratively completes LPHA CRU assessments and all necessary paperwork.
o Staff as needed with program manager, director, or administrator.
15. Documents all services provided to individual served or on behalf of an individual served according to center guidelines.
o Documentation is completed within 2 business days and uploaded into Smart Care if applicable.
o Complete ROH Assessment and 24 hour follow up documentation within one hour of interview.
o Corrections are completed within 2 business days of being notified.
o Respond to emails within a timely manner.
16. Contact supervisor or designated backup for clarifications of procedures or clinical assistance as needed.
o Communicate urgent clinical and logistical needs with appropriate manager.
o Contact Team Lead or Program Manager for clarification of protocols or needed direction or assistance.
17. Shares knowledge and resources by collaborating with teammates and sharing community resources when beneficial to an individual’s treatment.
18. Is familiar with all applicable Texas Administrative Code (TAC), fidelity tools and HHSC contract information and Center policies and procedures.
o All documentation is completed within two business days.
o Skill training notes include fidelity words.
o All documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with Center and HHSC guidelines.
o Sign company cars out prior to use and in after use, complete travel log in each car, complete maintenance request upon identifying problems, fills cars up with gas using center gas card when cars reach ¼ tank, and follow center policy regarding accidents in center vehicles or on center time.
19. Completes tasks in a manner that fosters principle of creating a safe place for both staff and individuals served.
o Identify and report safety hazards to the appropriate manager.
o Complete Incident Reports according to Denton County MHMR Policies and Procedures.
20. Ensures charts are in compliance with HHSC contract requirements and standards.
o Respond to all chart audits by assigned deadline.
o All paperwork will be signed in black ink with credentials and date, when applicable.
21. Works in a team setting and provides support and assistance to other MCOT members as needed.
22. All assignments given are completed in a timely manner.
23. Has the ability to work independently and make decisions but seeks guidance when needed.
o Attempt to contact all collaterals to gather or collaborate information provided during ROH Assessment, prior to staffing with management.
o Staff as needed with appropriate manager.
Participates in the Center’s Zero Suicide Initiative
o Assists individuals served during a routine, urgent, and emergent crisis episode by ensuring they are linked to appropriate Center programs (MCOT, Psych Triage, CPT, etc.) or inpatient care.
o Follow up as assigned after these crisis episodes to ensure continuity of care.
o Remains with individuals experiencing a crisis in secure and unsecure locations as needed.
o Completes CSSRS Since Last Visit, CSSRS Lifetime, or CSSRS Adult Screener at each contact with individuals served to determine risk level and ensure appropriate referrals.
§ Openly ask questions regarding Suicide to ensure accurate and thorough information is obtained.
o Provides additional support to individuals identified as at higher risk for suicide.
§ Staff these individuals during team meetings
§ Educates individuals on the Suicide Care Pathway.
§ Provides additional phone calls/support or request 24-hour crisis programs to provide additional phone calls/support as required or requested.
o Debriefs with immediate supervisor when there is a suicide death of an individual served or Center staff.
MCOT team members will be asked to complete a variety of crisis related tasks at secure and unsecure locations.
o If at any time staff feel unsafe during a crisis related task, it is the staff’s responsibility to voice their concerns to their next level supervisor. The staff and next level supervisor will collaborate to determine next steps.