General Description

Denton County MHMR Center employees are to be committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and supportive environment that welcomes and embraces diversity in all forms. Denton County MHMR Center defines diversity broadly to include race, ethnicity, abilities (mental/physical), gender, gender identity, immigrant status, language, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, age, and other groups.

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 Administrator of Behavioral Health and within federal, state and local guidelines performs advanced therapeutic work. Work involves providing counseling, under supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Education, Training and Experience (including licensure and certification)

Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, sociology, social work, or other human services field that meets the requirements of an LPC-A, or LMSW and who is under the supervision of a Licensed Professional of Healing Arts (LPHA) Supervisor, as recognized by state of Texas required. One year of counseling experience preferred. Requires current licensing from the state of Texas.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of community and government service delivery systems and case management delivery systems; of case guidelines, regulations, and policies; of interviewing techniques; of mental illness and the emotional components of physical illness; of rehabilitation methods; of individual needs associated with disabilities; and of community welfare resources.
• Skill in interviewing and in conducting individual needs assessments.
• Ability to convey instructions and explanations to clients and interested parties, to negotiate available services, and to train others. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Attends and participates in all scheduled meetings.
• Attend all Crisis team meetings as scheduled and sign in for meetings to acknowledge presence and understanding of the topics discussed.
• Attend all other pertinent meetings as scheduled and communicate with supervisor when unavailable.
2. Provides courteous, professional services at all times.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Maintains professionalism when interacting with center staff, clients, and community members.

1. Enters time worked accurately each day and submits time sheet by deadline given.
• Utilize timeclock system
• Audit punches up to a week at a time to ensure accuracy.

1. Provides emergency/crisis intervention when necessary, according to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), trauma informed care principles, and center policies and procedures.

• Respond to all calls assigned within a maximum of ten minutes.
• Complete triages as assigned. Notify and staff with appropriate manager if needed.
1. Respond to all 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.
• 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.
• MCOT also assesses individuals at unsecure locations such as private residences or facilities that do not have law enforcement or SRO’s present. If assessments are completed at unsecure locations, local law enforcement is called to accompany MCOT on scene.
2. Collaborates with MCOT team members to determine least restrictive treatment through screening form and other assessment methods.
• Discuss treatment recommendations at the end of every ROH Assessment.
• Ensure all appropriate documentation is complete within timeframes allotted.
3. Collaborates on an individual level and with community agencies to carry out least restrictive environment.
• Arrange transportation as needed.
• Facilitate ensure safety as needed.
• Coordinate/confirm admission to inpatient facility as needed.
4. Ensures follow-up on 100% of clients screened within 24 hours.
• Complete and/or ensures screening email is sent to all necessary parties, with all necessary information to complete 24-hour follow up.
• Follow up appointment is documented in level of care (LOC) 0 schedule.
• Like ROH assessments, follow ups are completed at unsecure and secure locations without law enforcement present.
5. MCOT team members will be asked to complete a variety of crisis related tasks at secure and unsecure locations.
• 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.
6. 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 a client qualifies for crisis level of care.
• Document reasons for clinical decision if deviating into level of care[DH1] .
• Document clients determined level of care in crisis assessment and screening email.
7. Works collaboratively with MCOT to ensure all necessary level of care 9,0, and 5 services are provided.
• Complete follow ups, LOC5 appointments, and case management appointments as assigned within deadline given.
• Communicate recommendations to necessary staff (i.e. Counselor, Supervisors, Psychiatrist, Case Manager, etc.…)
8. Develops Crisis/Recovery plans collaboratively with each individual.
• Crisis plans are completed at time of risk of harm assessment/recover plans are completed during LOC5 appointment, case management appointment, aftercare appointment or at time of modified intake into Mental Health services.
• All persons with a substance abuse diagnosis, have a Recovery Plan goal which addresses substance abuse needs.
• All Recovery Plan objectives are individualized and measurable.
• The Recovery Plan is reviewed as needed and updated when client identifies new goals or completes goals.
9. Provides Brief Intervention Therapy (BIT) and/or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for individuals in level of care 5 services.
• Maintain and updates counseling schedule.
• 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.
• Maintain counseling case load of up to 8 clients.
• Contact clients the same day of missed counseling appointment for follow up[DH2] .
10. Completes aftercare appointments with individuals released form the contract hospitals or state hospital the same business day and link those clients to appropriate center/community resources.
• Complete aftercares as assigned including all necessary paperwork.
• Assign case manager and communicates via email new client information, along with any treatment recommendations. Copies new case manager’s supervisor on emails.
• Collaboratively facilitate completion of satisfaction survey and turns into appropriate person by end of business day.
• Ensure individual served gains access to medications by completing necessary paperwork and faxing to pharmacy when applicable.
• Provides referrals as needed.
11. Completes LPHA assessments for Crisis Residential Unit (CRU) admission as assigned.
• When applicable collaboratively completes LPHA CRU assessments and all necessary paperwork.
• Staff as needed with program manager, director, or administrator.
12. Documents all services provided to an client individual served or on behalf of an individual served according to center guidelines.
• Documentation is completed within 2 business days and uploaded into Smart Care if applicable.
• Complete ROH Assessment documentation within one hour of interview.
• Corrections are completed within 2 business days of being notified.
• Respond to emails within a timely manner.
13. Contact supervisor or designated backup for clarifications of procedures or clinical assistance as needed.
• Communicate urgent clinical and logistical needs with appropriate manager.
• Contact Team Lead or Program Manager for clarification of protocols or needed direction or assistance.
14. Shares knowledge and resources by collaborating with teammates and sharing community resources when beneficial to an individual’s treatment.
15. Is familiar with all applicable Texas Administrative Code (TAC), fidelity tools and HHSC contract information and Center policies and procedures.
• All documentation is completed within two business days.
• Skill training notes include fidelity words.
• All documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with Center and HHSC guidelines.
• 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.
16. Completes tasks in a manner that fosters principle of creating a safe place for both staff and individuals served.
• Identify and report safety hazards to the appropriate manager.
• Complete Incident Reports according to Denton County MHMR Policies and Procedures.
17. Ensures charts are in compliance with HHSC contract requirements and standards.
• Respond to all chart audits by assigned deadline.
• All paperwork will be signed in black ink with credentials and date.
18. Works in a team setting and provides support and assistance to other MCOT members as needed.
19. All assignments given are completed in a timely manner.
20. Has the ability to work independently and make decisions but seeks guidance when needed.
• Attempt to contact all collaterals to gather or collaborate information provided during ROH Assessment, prior to staffing with management.
• Staff as needed with appropriate manager.

Participates in the Center’s Zero Suicide Initiative

• 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.
• Follow up as assigned after these crisis episodes to ensure continuity of care.
• Remains with individuals experiencing a crisis in secure and unsecure locations as needed.
• 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.
• 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.
• Debriefs with immediate supervisor when there is a suicide death of an individual served or Center staff.