LCDC OSAR

This position reports directly to the Program Administrator for SUD services but will work closely with community resources and contracted substance use treatment providers.  This position provides services to individuals age 13 and up who are seeking substance use services.   

This position’s responsibilities include building relationships within the community to ensure individuals and referral sources are familiar with the OSAR process and how individuals can access substance use treatment services at LifePath Systems.  This position will attend outreach events and collaborate with other treatment providers and community resources.  The OSAR counselors will facilitate quarterly calls with community stakeholders, providers and HHSC to strengthen collaboration, ensure issues in the community are being discussed, and maintain the referral process.  This position will complete substance-use screening for all individuals that present to or are referred to LifePath Systems.  Travel into the community may be required to meet the needs of the individuals.

When applicable, this position will complete a financial assessment to determine eligibility for state funds to cover treatment and complete a psychosocial assessment to determine appropriate level of care recommendation.  This position will provide referrals to individuals needing treatment and provide a “warm hand-off” to contracted providers.  This position will complete referral follow ups to ensure individuals are enrolled in treatment and provide resources to address social determinants of health such as housing, transportation, mental health, and medical issues.  This position will provide care coordination in situations that require an individual to be connected to other services and are necessary for an integrated approach to the individual’s care.  

This position exemplifies service excellence by providing care coordination with a trauma-informed and person-centered approach. 

This position practices good stewardship of resources by good utilization of workforce time, utilization of agency resources, leveraging of internal/external resources to meet the needs of the individual and creating value as a professional in knowledge, skills and abilities to perform these duties.  

Integrity is necessary to ensure adherence to the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Administrative Code, contracts, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) grant, other applicable grants, and Lifepath Systems policies and procedures. This position will work closely with Adult Fidelity managers to ensure that all gaps are reconciled. 

This position builds positive relationships with community-facing agencies and always maintains professional relationships with all community stakeholders and partners. This position demonstrates professional conduct with Peers, Leadership and Support teams at all times. 

Working independently and collaboratively to maintain appropriate boundaries and foster better outcomes for individuals served and community partners and facilitating improvement in measurable ways, is central to LifePath Systems mission to serve. This position must have the ability to assess and de-escalate behavioral health crisis situations in a calm and respectful manner. 

Specific Targets: Ensure that OSAR services are available 8 hours per day each weekday for individuals in Collin County, per OSAR Statement of Work; Document all services in CMBHS within 48 hours of providing the service per TAC requirements; Update annually the OSAR resource guide to ensure resource information provided to the individuals is up to date; engage and collaborate with community resource providers and establish MOUs with community partners as needed; complete all required training as outlined in the statement of work and TAC; maintain waitlist for individuals not admitted to treatment immediately and follow the state and federal priority population guidelines outlined in the statement of work; provide motivational interviewing to individuals placed on wait list and complete weekly follow ups to ensure individuals are connected to recommended services; provide education and referrals to individuals screened and determined to be at risk for communicable diseases, overdose and tobacco; conduct 5 outreach activities (trainings, community events) per quarter; ensure at minimum 50% of time worked is spent providing direct services to individuals; review and meet performance measures outlined by the OSAR statement of work each year; complete referral follow ups within 15 days of referral and document in CMBHS.  

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience (including licensure and certification)

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) required; Consideration of a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) Intern IF full unrestricted license to be received within 90 days of hire.  

Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with substance abuse coursework required; Master’s degree in psychology, social work or a related behavioral health field highly preferred

Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA); LPC, LCSW, Licensed Psychologist, or LMFT highly preferred; Consideration of a provisional license (LPC Associate, LCSW Associate, LMFT Associate) IF full unrestricted license to be received within 6 months of hire.

Minimum of two years’ experience working in community mental health with adults and youth with mental health and substance use disorders.  

Experience with completing clinical evaluations is highly preferred.  

Bilingual Spanish/English preferred; if Bilingual and receiving stipend, employee will be available to translate for other staff as needed and will utilize approved language in the provision of services as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

• Knowledge of the social services system and the ability to connect individuals with appropriate services.  
• Knowledge and experience with dual diagnosis individuals (MH and SUD)
• Experience providing psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, service coordination, skills training, counseling, and crisis intervention services to individuals with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance. 
• Experience with substance use related services required.  
• Ability to foster collaborative relationships with key interfacing teams, be a self-starter who works closely with all team members and take initiative in completing tasks
• Ability to ensure effective communication with the multi-disciplinary team and across a variety of community resources. 
• Ability to assess individual needs, to coordinate services, and to communicate effectively. 
• Ability to write clearly and professionally on all services and internal communications.
• Ability to think clearly and logically while dealing with potentially dangerous and/or emotional situations. 
• Ability to respond to individuals with patience, empathy and understanding.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and computer-proficiency.
• Ability to demonstrate strong multi-cultural competency