Licensed Therapist; LPHA - Jail Diversion

Overview

Join our team at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD ("The Harris Center") as a Licensed Therapist (LPHA) with our Jail Diversion Team
. We are seeking a dedicated professional who will support clinical services by performing independent assessments, and crisis and/or service interventions as directed by the treatment plan and identified consumer needs. This role interfaces with inpatient and outpatient psychiatrists and Harris County Sheriff’s Department (HCSD) Medical Services and authorizes the medical necessity of services indicated. The LPHA may provide monitoring, clinical supervision, and training of other staff.

Coverage on weekends and holidays will be required.

• Monitors consumer progress with treatment goals to determine the effectiveness of interventions.
• Performs clinical assessments to evaluate the individual’s priority population diagnostic eligibility and treatment needs.
• Provides cognitive behavioral therapy focusing on reducing or eliminating symptoms of severe and persistent mental illness and increasing the individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living.
• Provides crisis intervention to individuals to reduce symptoms and prevent admission to a more restrictive environment.
• Provides training/education on the nature of mental illness and addressing symptom-related problems interfering with functioning, and other trainings as designated.
• Performs activities to assist consumers in gaining and coordinating access to necessary care and services based on individual needs.
• Responsible for participation in formulation of the consumer’s treatment (assessment of needs, treatment planning, admit/discharge planning, and service authorization).
• Ensures all services provided meet eligibility criteria and are authorized in accordance with agency and regulatory guidelines.
• Advocates for consumers to ensure needs are met within The Harris Center system and in the community.
• Communicates and works with consumers/visitors/other staff in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of cultural diversity.
• Completes reporting/training as designated in an accurate and timely manner.
• Meets divisional productivity standards.
• Demonstrates ethical conduct in all clinical and professional activities.
• Performs related work as assigned and adapts to changing work requirements.
• Complies with agency policies and procedures, accrediting/regulatory bodies, and performance contract documentation requirements.
• Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

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

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

• 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).
• Licensure 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 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, listening and interpersonal skills, and clear, concise written documentation.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Must be able to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.

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…