General Description

The YCOT Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) works under the leadership of the Program Manager of YCOT and performs advanced therapeutic work to youth aged 3-17 that have recently experienced a mental health crisis. 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 weekly counseling to help prevent future crises using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

This position is grant funded and continued employment is contingent upon the availability and renewal of grant funding. The current grant period runs through 2030.

Education, Training and Experience (including licensure and certification)

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and a master's degree in behavioral sciences, social sciences, humanities, or a related field required.
• One (1) year prior experience in a mental health field and licensure to qualify as a LPHA required.
• Six (6) months crisis, YCOT, or MCOT experience required
• One (1)year YCOT experience preferred
• English/Spanish bilingual preferred.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Individual needs to meet the requirements to Qualify as an Licensed Practitioner of Healing Arts (LPHA)in the state of Texas.
• LPC, LCSW, LMFT, PhD Psychology, or another licensure to qualify as LPHA
• The position requires a valid Texas driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to the Centers insurance requirements.
• This position requires knowledge of causes and treatment of mental illness and related conditions.
• 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

• Skilled in interviewing, listening, and in the operation of computers and applicable computer software.
• Strong interviewing, active listening, and computer proficiency, including relevant software.
• Ability to screen and assess individuals, provide appropriate referrals and resources, prepare reports/documentation, and communicate effectively across an interdisciplinary team.
• Skilled in explaining instructions, identifying and describing available services, and training staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work objectively with diverse populations, with strong communication, organizational, administrative, and office management skills.
• Proficient in computer use for both clinical and clerical programs.
• Ability to travel during working hours throughout Denton County to meet with individuals at various locations, including but not limited to jail settings, medical and psychiatric hospital settings, and individual residences.
• Sound decision-making based on education and/or clinical experience, consistent with the Center's guiding principles, policies, 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.
   • Attend all Crisis team meetings as scheduled and signs 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.
   • Meets with supervisor within one week of missed meeting to review agenda.
2. Provides courteous, professional services at all times.
   • Maintain professional boundaries.
   • 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.
   • Utilize timeclock system
   • Audit punches up to a week at a time to ensure accuracy.
   • 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.

• Respond to all calls assigned within a maximum of ten minutes.
• Complete triages as assigned. Notify and staff with appropriate manager asneeded.
1. 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.
   • Community assessments may be completed at secure locations within Denton County limits such as any of our Center locations, City Jails, Denton County Jail, medical hospitals, behavioral health hospitals, and schools.
   • YCOT 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, law enforcement may remain on scene or leave dependent on the clinical presentation and safety risk.
   • YCOT staff may be asked to complete ROH assessments in a team of 2 or individually depending on availability of resources and appropriate training.
2. Collaborates with YCOT team members to determine least restrictive treatment through for the crisis assessment and other assessment methods.
   • Discuss treatment recommendations at the end of every ROH Assessment.
   • Ensure all appropriate documentation is complete within the timeframes allotted.
   • Must be able to demonstrate concurrent documentation.
3. Collaborates on an individual level and with community agencies to carry out least restrictive environment.
   • Arrange or provide transportation as needed.
   • Facilitate ensure safety as needed.
   • Coordinate/confirm admission to inpatient facility as needed.
   • Must utilize various coordination methods including XFERALL, phone, email, and fax.
4. Ensures follow-up on 100% of individuals 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 the appropriate schedule.
   • Complete follow up appointments as assigned.
   • Follow ups are completed at unsecure and secure locations without law enforcement present.
5. Completes 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.
   • Document clients determined level of care in crisis assessment and screening email.
6. Works collaboratively with YCOT to ensure all necessary level of care 0-5 services are provided.
   • Complete follow ups, YCOT appointments, aftercare, and case management appointments as assigned within deadline given.
   • Communicate recommendations to necessary staff (i.e. Counselor, Supervisors, Psychiatrist, Case Manager, etc.).
   • Provides transportation for individuals served as assigned.
7. Develops Crisis/Recovery plans collaboratively with individuals served.
   • Crisis plans are completed at time of risk of harm assessment/recovery plans are completed during YCOT appointments, case management appointments, aftercare appointments, or at time of modified intake into Mental Health services.
   • All persons with a substance use diagnosis, have a recovery plan goal which addresses substance use needs.
   • All recovery plan objectives are individualized and measurable.
   • The recovery plan is reviewed as needed and updated when the individual served identifies new goals or completes goals.
8. Provides Brief Intervention Therapy (BIT) and/or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for individuals in YCOT services, as needed.
   • 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, as needed.
   • Contact clients the same day (within 15 minutes) of missed counseling appointment for follow up.
9. 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.
   • Complete aftercare appointments as assigned including all necessary paperwork.
   • Assign case manager and communicate via email new client information, along with any treatment recommendations. Copy all appropriate leadership on the email communication.
   • Collaboratively facilitate completion of satisfaction survey and turn it into appropriate person by end of business day.
   • Ensure the individual served gains access to medications by completing necessary paperwork and faxing to pharmacy, when applicable.
   • Provides referrals as needed.
10. 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.
11. Documents all services provided to 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 and 24 hour follow up documentation within one hour of completion of the appointment.
    • Corrections are completed within 2 business days of being notified.
    • Respond to emails within a timely manner.
12. 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 direction, as needed.
13. YCOT 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 the next steps.
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 and utilize state approved curriculum
    • 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 ? 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, when applicable.
18. Works in a team setting and provides support and assistance to other YCOT 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 corroborate information provided during ROH Assessment, prior to staffing with management.
    • 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 (YCOT, 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.