The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Master Level Clinician(MLC) or Licensed Therapist (LPHA) to join our Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT). Under the general direction of the Program Director, Clinical Team Lead, or designated staff, the MLC or LPHA performs clinical activities such as independent assessments and service interventions as directed by the treatment plan and/or identified consumer need(s). This position interfaces with Treatment Teams both inpatient and outpatient and authorizes the medical necessity of services, as indicated. This position is responsible for providing the following services: Crisis Intervention, Mental Health Assessments, case management and follow-up, and liaison between the Agency and the community. MCOT interfaces with other programs in the Agency, law enforcement, and the community

What you will do:

• Performs community-based crisis assessments to determine needed level of care, assess for safety, and formulate diagnosis.
• Provides crisis counseling and intervention to individuals to reduce symptoms, provide education and prevent admission to a more restrictive environment.
• Collaboratively creates a treatment plan with the consumer to outline treatment goals.
• Provides case management activities to assist consumers in gaining and coordinating access to necessary care and services in accordance with treatment plan goals.
• Monitors consumer progress with treatment goals and linkage to services.
• Educates family members so they may understand the individual’s mental health symptoms, treatment and assist with referring to community resources.
• Provides information on mental health, the importance of medications and treatment compliance, and other clinical related information to individual, family, community as needed.
• Completes electronic documentation each work day as outlined in MCOT Operating Guidelines. This documentation becomes part of the medical record for the Agency.
• 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).
• Meets divisional and program productivity standards.
• Performs related work as assigned and adapts to changing work requirements.
• Demonstrates ethical conduct in all professional activities.
• Complies with Agency policies and procedures and MCOT Operating Guidelines.
• Will be designated crisis staff once weekly. Responsibilities include entering and contacting all new referrals, answering office telephone calls, and responding to Emergent and Urgent classified referrals.
• Available to provide any assistance not listed above to the Agency, Program Director, Clinical Team Lead, or staff as requested and required.

• Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

What qualifications you will need:

Education:

• 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.

Other Key Qualifications:

• Clinical license through the State of Texas for one of the following: LPC-A, LPC, LMSW, LCSW, LMFT-A or LMFT.
• Licenser 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• 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 skills, listening and interpersonal skills above average, written documentation is clear, concise, and well- constructed.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Must be able to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.

 About us

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 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

What else you should know:

• This posting is associated with position #9798.
• Shift/Schedule: Wed - Sat: 2 pm - 12 am
• $5,000 annual shift stipend
• This position will be under the general direction of the practice manager or designated supervisor. 
• May be necessary to travel to or transport consumers to homes or other field locations when providing services.
• May be exposed to unfavorable conditions.
• Interacts with individuals who may be emotional or physically hostile, agitated or uncooperative.

What we have to offer:

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

 Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.