Position Details

Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County

Job Title: Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County

Location: Brazoria and Galveston Counties

FLSA Status: Exempt

Working Status: Full Time with Benefits

Summary:

The Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County assists with the day-to-day operations of the Gulf Coast Center's Zero Suicide Pathway to Care Initiative. The Pathway to Care is a specialized case management track in Gulf Coast Center Mental Health Services for adult and child clients identified with suicidal risk including individuals experiencing suicidal thinking/impulses, overwhelming depression, or other mental health crisis related to safety. The Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County provides intensive case management, crisis relapse prevention and suicide-specific interventions including safety planning interventions, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention skills training until the client's crisis is resolved.

The Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County will maintain a caseload of individuals served. The Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County will create and maintain a safe, calm, and secure environment with supportive care, trauma-informed practices, and recovery-focused, consumer-driven services. Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County will be trained in and provide evidence-based skills training, as well as psychoeducation within their scope of training and expertise. Data collection and reporting is required, and strong organizational skills is a necessity. Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County receives direct administrative supervision from the Crisis Director and clinical supervision from the Crisis and Pathway to Care LPHA Team Leader.

The Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County could also be responsible for targeted services i.e., Therapeutic Rehab services utilizing the Illness Management and Recovery curriculum, initial screenings and assessments to potential GCC clients, completion of Adult Needs & Strength Assessments (ANSA/CANS), person Centered Recovery Plans (PCRP), & therapeutic skills training or rehab to individuals presenting for behavioral health services. The Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County may also provide brief interventions such as crisis resolution and liaison between other programs and organizations.

Gulf Coast Center is committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and supportive environment that welcomes and embraces diversity in all forms. Gulf Coast Center defines diversity broadly including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, abilities (mental/physical), gender, gender identity, immigrant status, language, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and age. Gulf Coast Center embraces trauma sensitive and informed practices, provides suicide safer care, and fosters a safe and compassionate environment that promotes racial and health equity.

Job Duties: (To be performed with or without accommodation as based on ADA requirements)

The Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County will be responsible for the following:

Essential Job Duties:

  • Delivers services in accordance with organizational service delivery standards, maintaining a minimum of 50% of time worked in direct service provision. A graduated ramp-up is expected for new hires: 30% in the first month, 40% in the second month, and 50% by the third month, to support quality, consistency, and client-centered outcomes.
  • Completes accurate, collaborative documentation that is entered and electronically signed within 24 business hours in accordance with regulatory and organizational expectations.
  • Completes intensive training in the Zero Suicide frameworks including the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). screener and the Pathway to Care.
  • Assign Pathway to Care customers to a special program enrollment for clients who are identified as at risk for suicide and in need of the Pathway to Care. These clients may have recently been in a crisis, utilized crisis services, been a patient in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, or reported suicidal symptoms or scored high on critical questions on the C-SSRS suicide screener. After any of these events, the clients are entered into the Pathway to Care. transportation, housing, and food.
  • Engage with and provide intensive Pathway to Care services for clients being discharged from inpatient facilities back to outpatient treatment. Upon release, works with the client to develop a solid aftercare plan that includes service options, appointments, crisis line information, etc.
  • The Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County provides case management and crisis relapse prevention services within 24 hours of the initial crisis service. These services always include a new C-SSRS screener to determine the client's level of risk. The case management and crisis relapse prevention services remain intensive with no less than weekly services until the client is assessed as no longer at risk on two consecutive C-SSRS screeners.
  • Clients on the Pathway also receive extra support in removing barriers that may hinder their engagement in treatment, such as transportation, housing, and food.
  • The Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County provides Zero Suicide recommended suicide-specific interventions including safety planning interventions, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention skills training until the client's crisis is resolved.
  • Pathway to Care Therapist Galveston County follows the Pathway to Care discharge process and treats discharge from the Pathway as an opportunity to celebrate the client's success.
  • The crisis services team meets twice monthly to review the clients enrolled in the Pathway to Care, any barriers that have been identified, and success stories. The team also reviews data on the Pathway to Care including suicide screeners, suicide specific interventions, and outcomes.
  • Completes diagnostic services as needed.
  • Conducts service delivery in accordance with standards as defined by state and local authority.
  • Conducts the Adult Needs & Strengths Assessment (ANSA) as clinically indicated for individuals as required & assigned.
  • Responsible for ensuring completion of the initial & annual ANSA recertification in accordance with the Praed Foundation & HHSC performance contract requirements. A lapse/expiration of certification will result in termination of employment. Exception: If certification lapse/expiration is reported to supervisor within 24 hours of expiration date, employee will be granted opportunity to recertify by close of following business day. Any lapse/expiration greater than 24 hours will result in termination of employment.
  • Required to participate in semi-annual quality assurance training activity conducted by identified ANSA/CANS Super User.
  • Identifies, arranges, advocates and collaborates with other agencies to assure an effective planned referral, discharge or transfer of services.
  • Serve as member of the interdisciplinary treatment team providing individual/group skills trainings and crisis intervention services as needed and authorized by valid ANSA and Recovery Plan.
  • Utilize Smartcare Reports and other report methodologies assigned to consistently monitor and complete required documentation as indicated by program standards.
  • Meets or exceeds the established performance requirement for entire caseload each month. Meets all productivity measures determined by leadership staff.
  • Effectively communicate with assigned team, collaborative agency members and leadership staff regarding service delivery, continuity of care and employment/administrative issues.
  • Will be responsible and accountable for the adherence to and promotion of the agency compliance policy and will require communication with various departments to foster, develop and continue our community partnerships as it relates to the position.
  • Strict adherence to the professional, ethical, and legal requirements set forth in GCC's Business Code of Conduct as well as the Corporate Compliance Plan.
  • Will be responsible and accountable for the adherence to and promotion of the agency compliance policy and will require communication with various departments to foster, develop and continue our community partnerships as it relates to the position.
  • Treat all individuals with the utmost courtesy, decency and respect.
  • Provide responsive, and efficient services.
  • Interact with staff, consumers, local entities and advocacy groups to provide a service that meets local needs.
  • Provide highest level of Customer Service for both internal and external customers.
  • Required to report personnel leave; flex time and emergency leave to assigned supervisor.
  • Strict adherence to the professional, ethical, and legal requirements set forth in GCC's Business Code of Conduct as well as the Corporate Compliance Plan.
  • Consistent adherence to the Center's Dress Code.
  • Consistent adherence to Center safety guidelines and expectations.
  • May be required to travel within Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
  • Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
  • Must maintain a clear driving record and driver's license in accordance with our Driver Policy.
  • Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation and must maintain current auto liability insurance.

Non-Essential Job Duties:

  • N/A

Supervision:

  • Receives direct supervision from Crisis Director

Required Education:

  • Minimum of a Master's Degree with an LCSW or LPC licensure

Preferred Education/Licensure/Certifications:

  • Trained and certified in CBT and EMDR

Required Licensure/Certifications:

  • LCSW or LPC licensure

Required Experience:

  • Training in suicide prevention and crisis intervention (upon hire).
  • Ability to work in a rapid pace environment in an organized and professional manner.
  • Ability to self-monitor production and quality with minimal assistance. Proficient in the use of electronic data systems including electronic health records and business software such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Ability to develop productive relationships with individuals and family members that focus on individual specific outcomes.
  • Ability to recognize barriers and coordination issues between service systems, and to advocate effectively for individuals served.
  • Organization and typing skills are a must.
  • The ability to work as a team member in a diverse environment interfacing with both internal and external customers.

Preferred Experience:

  • Experience in mental health services and knowledge about community resources and social services is preferred.
  • Experience with tracking data and timely data reporting is preferred

Abilities/Traits:

  • General knowledge of mental health disorders and navigating Electronic Health Records.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with knowledge to teach and engage in basic problem-solving strategies to support self-directed recovery.
  • Knowledgeable in trauma informed care and community resources.
  • Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
  • Requires ability to work within a team approach.
  • Requires proficiency with computer skills, programs, and email.
  • Detailed knowledge of mental disorders and DSM criteria
  • Working knowledge of evidenced based therapy models
  • Basic knowledge of Trauma Informed Care model
  • Self-motivated with good time management skills
  • Effective interpersonal skills
  • Ability to establish cooperative relationships with individuals and their families
  • Mature problem solving and self-directed approach to daily work
  • Ability to accept responsibility and exercise independent judgment in making decisions
  • Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
  • Requires ability to work within a team approach.
  • Requires proficiency with computer skills, programs and email.

Working Conditions:

  • Work will be performed in the Office, Field and/or Remote setting(s).
  • May require varied work hours depending on need of clients.
  • Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
  • May require travel to various locations within Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
  • Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation safe and current with all state requirements, and liability insurance.
  • Local travel will be required to meet with individuals and their families in the community.
  • Occasional out of town travel may be needed to assist in service linkages.
  • Flexibility is needed in the work schedule to accommodate the needs of individuals and/or their families.
  • Staff may periodically transport individuals in personal and/or Gulf Coast Center vehicles.
  • Requires flexibility to work in both Galveston and Brazoria counties.

Special Projects:

  • Assist supervisor when requested to complete special projects and complete all assignments within a time frame negotiated with the supervisor. Completion of other duties as assigned by supervisor as it relates to the program and position.

Job Related Physical/Mental Requirements & Environmental Conditions:

Physical:

  • Ability to transport, adjust and/or move items up to 55 lbs.
  • Ability to ascend/descend stairs.
  • Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
  • Ability to handle objects.
  • Ability to operate office equipment.
  • Ability to move around within an office setting and/or other locations as needed; may include ability to bend/twist, kneel/stoop and/or reach for items.
  • Ability to push/pull, crawl/squat as it relates to SAMA requirements; may be required to perform SAMA restraints as it relates to program requirements. Ability to detect and write effectively.
  • Ability to hear (with or without aid).
  • Ability to have visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle and observe objects within work setting.

Mental:

  • Ability to accept constructive criticism.
  • Ability to maintain regular attendance.
  • Ability to understand, communicate and comprehend accurate information with others in English.
  • Ability to reason and analyze effectively.
  • Ability to solve practical problems as it relates to position.
  • Required to pass and maintain all Center mandated trainings.

Work Site/Environmental Conditions:

  • Ability to work alone.
  • Ability to work closely with others.
  • Ability to work closely with individuals and/or family members with poor hygiene. Ability to work long and/or irregular hours.
  • May be subjected to hostile environment.
  • May be subjected to high crime environment.
  • Potential exposure to tobacco products.
  • May be subjected to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
  • Subject to standard noise levels within working environment.
  • Travel by motor vehicle, van, bus, or plane may be required.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodations as based on ADA requirements.