GULF COAST CENTER - JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Youth Crisis Response Clinician - 9am-6pm Monday-Friday

Location: Brazoria County

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Working Status: Full-time w/benefits

Summary:

The YCOT Stabilization clinician is responsible for providing skills, education, and connection to resources in the community that are necessary for the youth and caregiver to avoid further crisis relapse and successfully transition to ongoing routine services appropriate for the youth's continued recovery. Services will be provided in community settings, such as private homes, juvenile detention, schools, and other community settings utilizing active engagement efforts.

In addition, The YCOT Stabilization Clinician Crisis Services will be responsible for implementing 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 YCOT stabilization clinician 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 YCOT stabilization clinician will maintain a caseload of individuals served. The YCOT stabilization clinician will create and maintain a safe, calm, and secure environment with supportive care, trauma-informed practices, and recovery-focused, consumer-driven services. The YCOT stabilization clinician 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. The YCOT stabilization clinician receives direct administrative supervision from the Crisis Co-Response team Program Manager and clinical supervision from the Crisis and Pathway to Care LPHA Team Leader.

The YCOT stabilization clinician 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 Children Needs & Strength Assessments (CANS), person Centered Recovery Plans (PCRP), & therapeutic skills training or rehab to individuals presenting for behavioral health services. The YCOT stabilization clinician may also provide brief interventions such as crisis resolution and liaison between other programs and organizations.

Additional duties for this position include the following:

a. Provide crisis stabilization interventions, intensive skills training, and therapeutic interventions to children and youth who are transitioning from crisis services into routine outpatient services, to promote stabilization of symptoms and engagement in ongoing services for up to 90 days after the crisis episode.

b. As assigned the assigned the YCOT clinician will also provide therapeutic services based on the CBT model and other evidence-based practices and within the scope of the clinician's license and training as needed. The YCOT clinician will work within a person-centered planning-oriented services model, with supports, practices and beliefs into publicly funded mental health delivery systems. As part of an interdisciplinary team, and within the scope of the team, the YCOT Clinician will be responsible for consultation with other team members on clinical issues to assist to develop a full range of options in community settings and to assist the clients to meet goals and objectives on their person-centered recovery plan within the scope of the therapeutic intervention. The YCOT Clinician will maintain a caseload of clients inclusive of creating person-centered recovery plans and be skilled in collaborating with clients to develop and utilize therapeutic interventions based on the client's presenting problems and symptoms. May be asked to conduct diagnostic evaluations and admission assessments for inter-agency referrals.

c. Provide trauma informed and solution focused interventions, including motivational interviewing, to promote stability and reduce need for future inpatient and law enforcement interventions.

d. Assist youth and parent, guardian, or LAR with identifying and accessing appropriate community-based services.

e. Provide education and support to families and caregivers to reduce risk for placement disruptions.

f. Provide care coordination to address the youth's needs and promote recovery, including specialized programs such as the Inpatient Care Wait list, Residential Treatment Center, YES Waiver, Therapy, and Community Resource Coordination.

g. Work with a team of clinicians, community agencies, school professionals, local law enforcement agencies, juvenile justice, and court systems to provide crisis stabilization services.

h. Provide coverage for Crisis Response teams to ensure adequate availability for Crisis Response services during the YCOT designated hours if needed.

Essential Job Duties:

• Provides therapeutic management strategies and clinical coordination to individuals, groups, and family members as defined by GCC using evidence-based strategies within the TRR model of care.
• Complete Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) training and achieve competency as outlined in the current HHSC performance contract.
• Will complete LPHA assessment necessary to determine eligibility for admission (inclusive of priority population).
• Complete the required diagnosis form indicating all five diagnostic categories.
• Accurately complete all LPHA Center required documentation necessary for admission process.
• Assure all required LPHA documentation is printed, signed, and filed in respective records.
• Conducts service delivery in accordance with Mental Health Adult (MHA) and Children's Mental Health (CMH) standards as defined by state and local authority. Assures services are not provided on assigned individuals should the Recovery plan and/or CANS not be valid.
• 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 YCOT stabilization clinician 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 YCOT stabilization clinician 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.
• The YCOT stabilization clinician follows the Pathway to Care discharge process and treats discharge from the Pathway as an opportunity to celebrate the client's success.
• Responsible for ensuring completion of the initial CANS 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.
• Additionally, all certified ANSA/CANS users are required to participate in semi-annual quality assurance training activities 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. (Includes completion of service summary.).
• Utilize Smartcare reports in order to consistently monitor, and complete required documentation as indicated by contract standards.
• All documentation is complete, accurate and clear as required by GCC Consumer Records Procedure within 2 business days and ready to be uploaded/entered into EMR within 7 days.
• Display professionalism and team membership when representing program throughout daily work.
• Participate in team meetings as requested to provide clinical continuity. Consistently practice provision of follow-up and communication related to all services provided. This is inclusive of other agencies, families and team.
• 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.
• Participate in team meetings as requested to provide clinical continuity. Consistently practice provision of follow-up and communication related to all services provided. This is inclusive of other agencies, families and team.
• Effectively communicate with assigned team, collaborative agency members and leadership staff regarding service delivery, continuity of care and employment/administrative issues.

Supervision:

• Receives direct supervision from Crisis Co-Response Program Manager.

Required Education:

• Masters degree from an accredited college or University in the Behavioral Science field of study/Human Services

Required Education/Licensure/Certifications:

• Licensed in the State of Texas as an LPC, LCSW, or LMFT.
• LPC-A, LMFT-A or LMSW under clinical supervision will be considered at a lower salary.

Required Experience:

• N/A

Preferred Experience:

• N/A

Abilities/Traits:

• General knowledge of mental health disorders
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Self-motivated with good time management skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to establish cooperative relationships with individuals in crisis situations
• Must learn and use the Trauma Informed Principles in performing assessments with persons in crisis so as to not add any further traumatic experiences
• 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 Remotely 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.
• Crisis staff are required to work on some Center holidays unless approved for a skeleton crew by the Crisis Co-Response Team Program Manager.
• YCOT staff that work on Center holidays will be paid their hours worked and an additional 8 hours of holiday pay or they can take the holiday off another day that is approved by the Crisis Co-Response Team Program Manager.

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 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 PMAB requirements; may be required to perform PMAB 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 clients 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.