Licensed Therapist (LPHA) - CIRT

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee assistance program

Headspace subscription

Cell phone discounts

Loan forgiveness programs

Job summary

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is seeking a Licensed Therapist (LPHA) to join the Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT). The LPHA will provide clinical services in the community and partner with Houston Police Department or Harris County Sheriff Deputy to deliver crisis intervention and de-escalation, mental health assessments, and care coordination.

Qualifications include a Master’s degree in a social, behavior, or human service field and Texas licensure (LCSW, LPC, or LMFT)

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social, behavior, or human service field (psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, human development, educational psychology).

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation, mental health assessments, case management and follow-up.
• Document encounters in electronic health records per guidelines.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and Mobile Crisis Outreach Team.
• Coordinate access to care and community resources.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Strong diagnostic skills

Communication skills

Autonomy in fast-paced environments

Education

Master’s degree in social/behavioral/human services

Job description

Brief Description

Brief Description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD ("The HARRIS CENTER") is looking for a Licensed Therapist (LPHA) to join our Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT). The Crisis Intervention Response Team LPHA provides clinical services in the community to individuals exhibiting symptoms of mental illness. The LPHA is partnered with a law enforcement Houston Police Department officer or Harris County Sheriff Deputy as a collaborative unit. CIRT interfaces with other programs in the Agency, coordinating care with the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, transports from The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD clinics, other law enforcement jurisdictions, and the community. This position is responsible for providing the following services: Crisis Intervention and De-escalation, Mental Health Assessments, Case management and follow-up, and liaison between the agency and the community.

What Will You Do

• Partnered with law enforcement, the CIRT LPHA investigates consumer’s history and provides crisis assessments and intervention to individuals in crisis to reduce symptoms, provide education and prevent admission to a more restrictive environment.
• The CIRT LPHA performs clinical assessments in various locations based on the nature of the request for services and evaluates individual needs for mental health services as well as determines the level of care of services needed.
• The CIRT LPHA works together with the law enforcement officer. The CIRT LPHA must be flexible with workdays and time as required by the law enforcement and mental health authority partnership.
• The CIRT LPHA educates individuals in crisis and family members so they may understand the individual’s mental health symptoms, diagnosis, medication, treatment and assist with referring to community resources and gaining access to services.
• The CIRT is proactive on scene to prevent an escalation of symptoms.
• The CIRT LPHA completes electronic health records documentation each workday of all encounters as outlined in the CIRT operating guidelines. This documentation becomes part of the medical records for the agency.
• The CIRT LPHA performs agency services to assist individuals in gaining and coordinating access to necessary care and services based on individual needs, which include The Harris Center clinic transports, attendance at community health fairs, community welfare checks and finding and obtaining hospital admission beds for the consumer.
• The CIRT LPHA when interacting with the community and colleagues, follows the key principles of a trauma informed approach (i.e. safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, voice and choice, cultural, historical, and gender issues).
• The CIRT LPHA meets divisional productivity standards by following all CIRT operating guidelines.
• The CIRT LPHA performs related work as assigned and adapts to changing work requirements, which will include working during city disasters at various locations.
• The CIRT LPHA demonstrates ethical conduct and agency standards pf behavior in all professional activities.
• The CIRT LPHA will be proficient and comply with documentation - Texas Administrative Code Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 301, Subchapter G, Division 3, Section 301.361 for Documentation of Services Provision
• The CIRT LPHA will be knowledge of community resources (mental health, substance abuse, homeless services) and maintain a list of resources to assist consumers and family.
• The CIRT LPHA complies with Agency policies and procedures, CIRT Operating Guidelines, and law enforcement general orders in respective agencies.
• The CIRT LPHA will be familiar with Health and Safety Code Title 7, Subtitle C, Chapter 573 and follow all law enforcement safety instructions.
• The CIRT LPHA is available to provide any assistance not listed above to the Agency, Program Director, or staff as requested and required.

Education

What qualifications you will need:

• Master’s degree (M.A.) from four-year accredited college or university with a major in a social, behavior, or human service field, including but not limited to: psychology, social work, counseling, sociology, human development, and educational psychology.

Experience

• Must have 2 years experiencing working in a mental health setting.

Other Key Qualifications

• Clinical license through the State of Texas for one of the following: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
• Licenser credentials plus one to two years of clinical experience post Master’s degree preferred.
• Must maintain a valid Texas Driver’s License and be insurable under Agency policy.

Knowledge/Skills & Ability

• Knowledge of and ability to apply crisis intervention techniques.
• Strong diagnostic skills, the ability to incorporate patient history, symptoms, environmental and related issues to formulate proper diagnosis and treatment.
• Strong communication skills, listening and interpersonal skills above average, written documentation is clear, concise, and well- constructed.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Must be able to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

What Else You Should Know

• This posting is associated with position #8779

Shift/Schedule: Sunday - Wednesday 2p-12a.

What We Have To Offer

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment