JOB PURPOSE:  A Mental Health Professional is a key member of the treatment team who provides direct care skills training, rehabilitative services and coordination of care to individuals assigned to their caseload. Performs assessments and develops recovery plans in a person-centered, trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate manner which supports individuals in meeting their chosen goals. Ability to build rapport and work independently are essential. Proficient use of technology to stay organized and document services timely is required.

Mental Health Professionals in Programs serving Adults perform a wide variety of different roles based on program assignment.  For Example:

Behavioral Health Clinics: Work in the clinic alongside care coordinators, nursing, medical providers, licensed professional counselors and peer providers as part of the treatment team. Primary roles include completing assessments, identifying progress, needs, barriers, goals and objectives and developing recovery plans with clients.  Provide skills training, case management and care coordination to assist in accessing needed services and supports. Primarily M-F, 8-5, with some extended hours.

Adult Community Support Services: Provide community-based skills training, psychosocial rehabilitation, case management and care coordination to adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Performs assessments to determine needs, barriers, strengths, preferences and abilities. Assists individuals in developing person-centered recovery plan goals and objectives. Services provided primarily in the individual's natural environment including community settings and homes.  

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): This role works as part of the treatment team to support a shared caseload of adults with more severe illness, lower daily functioning and complex needs. Primary roles include completing assessments, identifying progress toward goals, assessing needs, barriers, goals and objectives, and assisting individuals to develop a personal recovery plan. Provide skills training, case management, psychosocial rehabilitation and care coordination. Services provided primarily in the individual's natural environment including community settings and homes. This is an evidence-based practice program which follows fidelity to the model of care. Primarily M-F, 8-5 with some extended hours; on-call coverage required.

Early Onset Psychosis (EOP): This role works as part of the treatment team to support a small shared caseload of young adults aged 15-30 who have experienced their first symptoms of psychosis within the past 24 months and have not had mental health services. Performs crisis assessments, clinical assessments and determine needs, strengths, barriers, preferences and abilities. Assists individuals, families and natural supports in developing person-centered recovery goals and objectives. Services provided primarily in the individual's natural environment including homes, schools, places of employment, hospitals, and other community settings. This is an evidence-based practice program which follows fidelity to the model of care. Primarily M-F, 8-5.

Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH): This role is community-based and provides direct outreach, support and assistance to homeless individuals in the service area. Services provided primarily in community settings including homeless shelters, treatment facilities, homeless drop-in facilities, homeless encampments, tent communities, wooded areas, and under bridges and overpasses. Must be able to walk on uneven pavement, stand and walk for long periods of time, and openly communicate well with others in a non-judgmental manner. Performs crisis assessments, clinical assessments and determine needs, strengths, barriers, preferences and abilities. Provide skills training, psychosocial rehabilitation, case management and care coordination to assist individuals to access needed supports and resources. May use own transportation to assist individuals. Primarily M-F, 8-5.

Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR): This role involves working closely with individuals in nursing facilities who have been identified as having a mental illness (MI) through the PASRR process. Responsibilities include conducting assessments to determine the need for MI specialized services, participating in Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meetings to develop or update Person-Centered Recovery Plans (PCRPs), and coordinating the provision of specialized services. The position requires collaboration with nursing facility staff, individuals, and their legally authorized representatives to ensure appropriate care planning and service delivery. Services are primarily provided within nursing facility settings. Primarily M-F, 8-5.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:  A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social, behavioral or human services or is a registered nurse.  (Social, behavioral, and human services are:  psychology; social work; medicine; nursing; rehabilitation; counseling; sociology; human development; physician's assistant; gerontology; education psychology; special education; early childhood intervention; or early childhood education.)

DEGREE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED (IF APPLICABLE):   BA/BS or RN

DRIVING REQUIRED:    Yes

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

?  Appropriate written and verbal communication, including proper spelling and grammar. 

?  Ability to learn to write progress notes, assessments, brief mental status exams, memos, letters, various complex reports and other documents according to agency standards.

?  Computer ? skilled in the use of computer technology, particularly with Microsoft Office applications.  Familiarity with any electronic medical record is a plus.

?  Familiarity with community mental health and other resources

?  Ability to build rapport with individuals including coworkers. 

?  Demonstrate skill in utilizing appropriate professional tools and interventions.

?  Comfort interacting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminal justice organizations.

?  Acquires and uses new skills as the job requires.

?  Ability to work with considerable latitude and exercise discretion and independent judgment. This would include personal initiative and problem solving skills. 

?  Ability to complete all job requirements in a timely manner. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS OR CONDITIONS (specify):

?  May be required to interact with other consumers, referral sources, outside agencies, and family members to determine needs and actions to be taken. 

?  Current State of Texas Driver License or if you live in another state, must be currently licensed in that state. 

?  Liability insurance required if employee will operate personal vehicle on Center property or for Center business.  Must be insurable by Center's liability carrier if employee operates a Center vehicle or drives personal car on Center business.

?  Must complete all training requirements in month in which they are due.

?  May be required to provide on-call duties. 

?  Availability of a personal vehicle for business use may be required. 

?  Work may take place within clinic-office or community settings (schools, nursing homes, emergency rooms, clients' residences, shelters etc.) and may interactions with agitated or disruptive individuals. 

?  May be responsible for providing group services and/or crisis services as needed.

?  Must pass a pre-employment drug test.

?  Must successfully pass all background screens as required by the state

?  Ability to input data into computer, make calculations, complete paperwork, produce reports.

?  Must be physically able to perform all job requirements that may include home visits, walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, and standing or sitting for long periods of time if required.

?  Some QMHP positions require flexible hours including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. 

?  Adhere to professional dress and appearance standards consistent with the position and daily workplace needs.

Essential Tasks & Standards

1.  Provides Psychosocial Rehabilitative Case Management to assigned individuals.

2.  Maintains consumer records in accordance with all applicable standards.

3.  Establishes relationships and communicates with clients, caseworkers, probation officers, family members, and other staff

4.  Completes documentation in reference to service delivery within 48 hours and crisis documentation within 24 hours.

5.  Prepares written service plans and treatment update summaries, incorporating input from clients, other service providers, and wraparound team members to identify problem areas and needs, service objectives, and intervention strategies

6.  Attends staff meetings and/or trainings as assigned.

7.  Demonstrate a positive regard for individuals and their families (e.g. from a trauma informed perspective provides treatment collaboratively with consumers respecting them as individuals, allowing risk-taking, avoiding stereotypes, respecting individuals' and families' privacy, advocacy, believing in an individual's recovery and that they are a valuable member of society).

8.  Advocates and helps the client navigate the system to support access to needed resources.

9.  Stays knowledgeable of necessity standards pertaining to services delivered.

10.  Meets productivity standards as outlined in operational guidelines.

Work Behaviors & Standards

1.  Attends work regularly and punctually in order to provide reliable and consistent coverage in area of responsibility.  Arrives at designated time and departs according to schedule.  Maintains a willingness to adjust schedule to meet the needs of the situation.  Makes every attempt to pre-schedule absences and provide dependable coverage and service.  Complies with Center policies regarding leave usage, absenteeism, and tardiness.

2.   Interacts with clients in an emotionally supportive and/or therapeutic manner in order to provide an environment of caring, dignity, and respect.

3.  Works harmoniously with fellow employees, supervisors, family, and friends of persons served, and the public in order to create an environment of caring, dignity and respect, and that allows for the accomplishment of the Center's mission.

4.  Utilizes work time effectively to insure that all assignments are completed in a thorough and timely manner.

5.  Abides by all Center policies and procedures regarding training objectives and requirements including those that relate to safety and infectious disease control. Will keep all Staff Development mandatory trainings current.

6.  Adheres to Center policies and procedures and all applicable requirements and regulations of HHSC, CMS, Texas Administrative Code, CARF, relevant contracts and all other applicable regulatory bodies.

7.  Maintains confidentiality regarding consumers, records, personnel, and other sensitive and confidential information in order to comply with Center, state, and federal policy.

8.  Conducts all aspects of employment in accordance with Center's Compliance Program.