Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA)

POSITION TITLE: Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts

WORKSITE LOCATION: Gulf Bend Regional Plaza, 6502 Nursery Drive

PAY GRADE: 18  EEOC CODE: Professional  FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SHIFTFulltime; Monday thru Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm, some on-call shifts evenings or weekends

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 or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.   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 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: N/A

DEGREE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Licensed in the state of Texas to practice counseling as a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS and DUTIES:

1.  Performs advanced work within scope of licensure. 

2.  Provides diagnostic assessments for the purpose of determining eligibility of services.

3.  Provides professional counseling to customers (children, adolescents, adults); may perform utilization review to include the recommendation, authorization, and reauthorization of a specific level of care for out-patient services and verification and documentation that services provided are of medical necessity. 

4.  Has demonstrated understanding of psychopharmacology and medical/ psychiatric comorbidity through training and/or experience. 

5.  Provides training, clinical support and guidance to team members as needed.

6.  Is responsible for ensuring all services delivered adhere to applicable standards and regulations, including the Center's compliance program, and that all treatment meets payer expectations.

7.   Must maintain regular and reliable attendance.

8.  Complies with telework/remote agreement.

9.  Uses the trauma informed care approach when providing services and working with others.

·  Understands the Three E's of trauma-informed care.

·  Understands the Four R's of trauma-informed care.

·  Understands the six key principles of trauma-informed care.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, and COMPETENCY:

General Competencies:

1.  Ability to analyze complex situations.

2.  Ability to meet deadlines and goals, strong organizational skills, strong time management skills, and detail oriented.  

3.  Knowledge of state contracts and guidelines.

4.  Passionate about providing quality customer service, and ability to link customers to resources within Gulf Bend Center and the surrounding counties. 

5.  Excellent interpersonal skills.

6.  Able to exhibit a high level of confidentiality.

7.  Models professionalism by appropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.

8.  Must have computer experience to include, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

9.  Ethical Conduct.

Trauma-informed:

A trauma-informed approach to care "realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved in the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization." The six key principles of a trauma-informed approach include: safety; trustworthiness and transparency; peer support; collaboration and mutuality; empowerment, voice and choice; and cultural, historical and gender issues (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [2014]).

·  The Three E's of Trauma:  Events, Experiences, and Effects.

·  The Four R's:  Key Assumptions in a Trauma Informed Approach - Realization, Recognize, Respond, Resist Re-traumatization.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS AND MATERIALS

1.  Computer, telephone, projectors, calculator, fax machine, and copy machine are used in performance of essential job duties.

2.  Various forms of paperwork are handled in performance of essential job duties.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST: all abilities required to perform the essential and marginal tasks of this job. Light lifting, under 15 lbs., light carrying, under 15 lbs., simple grasping, walking, standing, sitting, operating office equipment, operating motor vehicle, ability to see, identify colors, hearing (with aid), ability to write, ability to count, ability to read, ability to tell time.  

Check all work site and environmental conditions that apply to this job. Travel by car 10% of time, outside, inside, working closely with others, working alone.

CRED/PRIV REQUIRED?  Yes    DRIVING REQUIRED:  No 

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

1.  Interacts with employees' contractors, customers, community, family members, referral sources, governmental sponsoring and funding entities, program auditors, advocacy groups, and the media.

2.  Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

3.  Work behavior must be compatible with Center value statement and Policies and Procedures contributing to an environment of problem solving, building trust, conflict resolution, and customer service. Ability to perform tasks effectively and efficiently.

4.  Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision.

5.  Ability to present a professional appearance and conduct when representing the Center.

6.  Ability to work cooperatively and productively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons at all levels of activity, contributing to a strong spirit of teamwork.

7.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other agencies and the general public using tact, courtesy and good judgment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS OR CONDITIONS (specify):

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.

3.  Good driving record as defined by Gulf Bend Center.

4.  Must complete all CORE training requirements prior to the due date.

5.  Must have computer experience to include: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.  Must have good organizational skills to achieve multiple deadlines.  Ability to type 40 wpm.

6.  Must maintain regular attendance and reliability which is critical to business operations.  This is a fulltime 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 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 applied 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 listing 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.