Job 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 degr