JOB TITLE: Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPC, LCSW, or LPC Associate)

WORKSITE LOCATION: Gulf Bend Regional Plaza, 6502 Nursery Drive, Suite 100, Victoria TX 77904

STARTING PAY: LPC/LCSW: $24.50/HR; LPC-A: $20/HR EEOC CODE: Professional FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SHIFT: Fulltime and part-time during regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm

JOB PURPOSE:

Conducts initial diagnostic assessments to identify needs and provides recommendations for clinically appropriate treatment. Engages individual with empathy and cultural sensitivity. Connects customers to Gulf Bend Center services when appropriate and community resources to meet their needs. Promotes person-centered, recovery-oriented, and trauma informed care and treatment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required: A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social, behavioral, or human services. Licensed in the state of Texas to practice counseling as either a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or is currently an Associate or Intern working towards supervised hours to attain license. A minimum of two years' experience in direct care of customers with a serious mental illness and/ or children and youth with serious emotional disturbances, which may include experience in an acute care or crisis setting (or Associate/Internship hours); and has demonstrated competence completing diagnostic evaluations and making appropriate recommendations for treatment and the ability to perform UM and review activities.

Preferred: LPC or LCSW.

DEGREE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED:

Licensed in the state of Texas to practice counseling as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, or Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS and DUTIES:

1. Completes Diagnostic (biopsychosocial) Assessments to identify needs, make recommendations for treatment, and determine eligibility for services.
2. Performs advanced work within scope of licensure, such as substance use and co-occurring condition screenings and brief interventions.
3. Provides additional intake services as needed such as crisis intervention, Adult Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA), Initial screening, Continuity of care, and Recovery plan
4. May provide professional counseling to customers (children, adolescents, adults) during Diagnostic assessment.
5. Participates in the Utilization Review process as needed.
6. May provide training, clinical support, and guidance to team members as needed to foster collaboration and effective teamwork.
7. Ensures all services are delivered in accordance with applicable standards and regulations, including the Center’s compliance program, and payer requirements.
8. Conducts hospital follow-up continuity of care assessments and recommends clinically necessary services.
9. Ensures appropriate coordination and referral to community resources.
10. Meets performance and productivity standard.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST:

Abilities required to perform the essential and marginal tasks of this job: Walking, Operating office equipment, Standing, Operating motor vehicle, Light lifting (under 15 lbs), Sitting, Ability to see, Identify colors, Light carrying (under 15 lbs), Hearing (with aid), Straight pulling, Ability to write, Climbing stairs, Ability to count, Ability to read, Simple grasping, Ability to tell time.

Work site and environmental conditions that apply to this job: Travel by car 10% of time, Inside, Working closely with others, Working alone.

CRED/PRIV REQUIRED: Yes     DRIVING REQUIRED: No

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, and COMPETENCY:

1. Program specific: Applies knowledge of psychopharmacology and DSM-5 to inform diagnosis, treatment, and referrals. May complete intake screenings, initial ANSAs, recovery plans, and provide crisis intervention as needed. Meets required deadlines and reporting obligations in accordance with state contract requirements. Provides training of staff as needed. Ability to analyze complex situations. Knowledge of state contracts and guidelines. Passionate about providing quality customer service, and ability to link customers to resources within Gulf Bend Center and the surrounding counties. May perform other work duties as assigned by the Intake Manger. Works under general supervision of the Intake Manager while exercising considerable discretion and professional judgement.
2. Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills to communicate clearly and effectively with strong organizational skills and the ability to interface effectively with all levels of the organization.
3. Confidentiality: Ability to maintain a strict standard of confidentiality in handling sensitive information, reports, and correspondence.
4. Conflict resolution: Ability to solve problems and resolve issues.
5. Interpersonal skills: Excellent interpersonal skills. Interacts with employees' contractors, customers, community, family members, referral sources, governmental sponsoring and funding entities, program auditors, advocacy groups, and the media. Ability to work collaboratively with a team of staff to accomplish the efficient operation of the program by assisting coworkers, as necessary, to meet client needs and contract requirements with no verified complaints. Ability to work cooperatively and productively with supervisors, individuals, co-workers, and groups of people at all levels of activity, contributing to a strong spirit of teamwork. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other agencies and the public using tact, courtesy, and good judgment.
6. Code of Conduct, CORE Values: Work behavior must be compatible with Center's Core Values, Culture, Mission and Vision statements, and Policies and Procedures contributing to an environment of problem solving, building trust, conflict resolution, and customer service. Adheres to the professional, ethical and legal requirements set forth in the Center's business Code of Conduct as well as the Corporate Compliance Plan.
7. Customer service: Demonstrates appropriate responsiveness to internal/external customer needs.
8. Dress code: Adherence to Center Dress Code to present a professional appearance and conduct when representing the Center.
9. Fleet: Completes fleet checklist as required. Report all fleet problems directly to the Program Director within 24 hours of identifying problem. Uses GeoTab key fob in fleet vehicles and maintains road safety compliance.
10. Task management: Ability to perform tasks effectively and efficiently and to handle multiple priorities in a confidential environment. Must have strong attention to detail. Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision. Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision. Must have good organizational skills to achieve multiple deadlines.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS OR CONDITIONS:

1. Current State of Texas Driver License or if you live in another state, must be currently licensed in that state. Liability insurance required.
2. Must be insurable by Center's liability carrier if employee operates a Center vehicle or drives personal car on Center business. Safe driving record as defined by Gulf Bend Center.
3. Must have computer experience to include Microsoft Word, Excel (beginner to intermediate level), Outlook, Teams, and Zoom. Ability to type 40 wpm. Ability to operate office equipment (copy machine, fax).
4. Must complete all training requirements prior to the due date. Attend required training and team meetings. Relias training and any other training required for the role is 100% compliant.
5. Must maintain regular and reliable attendance, including compliance with the telework agreement. This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm or agreed upon hours 100% of the time, to ensure consistency and completeness of the program's processes. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

Gulf Bend Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.