Licensed Therapist (LPHA) - Outpatient Competency Restoration (OCR)

Join our team at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD ("The HARRIS CENTER") as a Licensed Therapist (LPHA) for our Outpatient Competency Restoration (OCR) program. The Outpatient Competency Restoration (OCR) program offers intensive medical and rehabilitative services to help stabilize adult clients with low-level, non-violent charges, who are referred by the court system. These individuals were charged with a crime and were found by the court as incompetent to stand trial. OCR is an alternative to State Hospital commitments, which allows clients to receive the treatment they need within the community. The OCR program offers 8 beds that are available to eligible individuals 24 hours/day, for an estimated stay of 60-120 days. Clients that complete the intake process will undergo nursing, psychiatric, and a medical evaluation. They will also receive a crisis adult strengths and needs assessment.

We're seeking a dedicated professional who will revolutionize the way we provide clinical services. As a Licensed Therapist, you'll conduct independent assessments and interventions based on treatment plans and consumer needs. You'll collaborate with our inpatient and outpatient Treatment Teams, ensuring the authorization of necessary services. Additionally, you may provide supervision, training, and monitoring at clinical sites, and even travel to deliver services in homes or other field locations. Our ideal candidate embodies compassion, expertise, and a commitment to patient care. You'll play a crucial role in developing and managing care plans for our providers, as well as evaluating current and future medical needs of our clients. Join us in transforming the way mental health and IDD services are delivered!

What you will do:

• Monitors consumer progress with treatment goals to determine effectiveness of interventions.
• Performs clinical assessments to evaluate the individual's priority population diagnostic eligibility and treatment needs.
• Provides cognitive behavioral therapy focusing on the reduction or elimination of 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, addressing the symptom related problems interfering with the individual's functioning, the importance of medications, and other medication related information using the TIMA curricula as well as 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 consumer's treatment (inclusive of 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 that needs are met both within the The Harris Center system and in the community.
• Communicates and works with consumers/visitors/other staff in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of cultural diversities.
• 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. Adapts to changing work requirements.
• Complies with agency policies and procedures, accrediting/regulatory bodies and performance contract documentation requirements.

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: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (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.
• Licenser credentials plus one to two years of clinical experience post Master's degree preferred

Knowledge/Skills & Ability :

• 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.

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.

What else you should know:

This posting is associated with position #70154

This shift is Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm.

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.

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 provided care to over 79,000 people in fiscal year 2019 and has an annual budget of over $275 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 86 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 42 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the most diverse and multi-cultural communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,300 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.