Health & Human Services Comm
Program Specialist VI
Health & Human Services Comm, Austin, Texas, us, 78716
Job Description:The Project AWARE Program Specialist performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance work related to school mental health services and suicide prevention services. This position reports directly to the Director of Suicide Prevention, Policy and Services in the Office of Mental Health Coordination. Work is primarily to providing training and technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders regarding school mental health and to work with Project AWARE grantees to set up effective Tier I, Tier II and Tier III services in schools to address student mental health. Additional duties include assisting the the suicide prevention team in providing training and technical assistance regarding suicide prevention, intervention and postvention to internal and external stakeholders. This position is eligible for telework in accordance with the HHSC telework policy. Telework subject to change.
Essential Job Functions:1. Collaborates with the AWARE Texas project coordinators from AWARE grantees to implement the project plan approved by SAMHSA. Ensures that the Texas System of Care actively supports AWARE Texas through training in Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards, facilitation of community collaboration with the local mental health authorities, and strengthening referral networks. Facilitates partnerships and written agreements between the Education Service Centers and schools or school districts served by the grants and the requisite local mental health authorities. Oversees strategies for state and local collaboration between the school-based mental health specialists, schools, Education Services Centers, and the community mental health agencies to include coordination on referrals, assessment, treatment services, and follow-up that improves local coordination, access, and service delivery outcomes.2. Coordinates with the AWARE grantees and stakeholders on developing protocols for sharing confidential information regarding mental health service outcomes, progress, and support or follow-up needs of students referred to the local mental health authorities for assessment and treatment. Coordinates with AWARE grantees on the development of mental health and crisis protocols to include suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.3. Coordinates with the Suicide Prevention and Project AWARE Co-Coordinator to ensure continuity in school mental health and suicide prevention across Texas AWARE projects.4. Provides suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, consultation and technical assistance to providers, stakeholder groups and communities. Collaborates with stakeholders related to suicide prevention. Provides and develops presentations and trainings related to suicide prevention. Provision of consultative services, technical assistance, and support to program contractors and other stakeholders: This includes serving as a subject matter expert, organization and facilitation of meetings, and representation of HHSC at public meetings. Performs bill analysis during legislative session and helps implements legislative mandates related to mental health services that impact children and youth. May work on the writing and planning of grant proposals to expand or improve suicide prevention for mental health services.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:1.Knowledge of:a. the application of best practices for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention in behavioral health services;b. the intersection of mental health and academics;c. suicide prevention best practices and evidence based programs, treatments, recovery, resiliency, engagement and disease management concepts and program components as they relate to the provision of mental health services, statewide;d. prevention, intervention and treatment concepts and program components as they relate to the provision of mental health; ande. suicide specific screening, risk assessment and other best practices for use in Texas mental health system.2. Skills in:a. effective verbal communication, to include the preparation and presentation of data analysis;b. project management;c. identifying problems such as performance improvement issues with implementing best practices for suicide intervention in the providers of suicide service, and negotiating and implementing solutions to organizational and service delivery problems;d. advanced business and technical writing, reporting, and interpretation of data;e. identifying the most effective suicide intervention from mental health clinical skills and knowledge to apply into policy and procedures;f. crisis intervention, suicide prevention and postvention.Ability to:a. organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing, on agency wide workgroups where school mental health and/or suicide are cross issues, such as homelessness initiatives, jail diversion, crisis services, crisis hotlines, substance abuse, substance prevention, and others;b. analyze and solve work problems affecting the operations and functions representing HHSC on multiple national workgroups in suicide prevention;c. work appropriately in collaboration with others to manage and meet multiple deadlines as they relate to multiple populations served across the state.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:Preference given to a Licensed Clinician with one of the following licenses: LMSW, LPC, LMFT, LCDC, LCSW, LSSP, or Licensed Psychologist. A doctorate degree in a field related such as Psychology, Social Work, or Medicine may be considered in lieu of clinical license.Preference given to: Suicide Prevention or Zero Suicide Expert with at least one year zero suicide work experience and/or one year of school mental health work experience.Preference given to candidate with strong project management skills/experience.
Initial Selection Criteria:Experience working in mental health field. Experience in project management.
Additional Information:
MOS Code:There are no direct military occupations that relate to the responsibilities, registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservist, guardsmen and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the qualifications for this position.
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS
Essential Job Functions:1. Collaborates with the AWARE Texas project coordinators from AWARE grantees to implement the project plan approved by SAMHSA. Ensures that the Texas System of Care actively supports AWARE Texas through training in Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards, facilitation of community collaboration with the local mental health authorities, and strengthening referral networks. Facilitates partnerships and written agreements between the Education Service Centers and schools or school districts served by the grants and the requisite local mental health authorities. Oversees strategies for state and local collaboration between the school-based mental health specialists, schools, Education Services Centers, and the community mental health agencies to include coordination on referrals, assessment, treatment services, and follow-up that improves local coordination, access, and service delivery outcomes.2. Coordinates with the AWARE grantees and stakeholders on developing protocols for sharing confidential information regarding mental health service outcomes, progress, and support or follow-up needs of students referred to the local mental health authorities for assessment and treatment. Coordinates with AWARE grantees on the development of mental health and crisis protocols to include suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.3. Coordinates with the Suicide Prevention and Project AWARE Co-Coordinator to ensure continuity in school mental health and suicide prevention across Texas AWARE projects.4. Provides suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, consultation and technical assistance to providers, stakeholder groups and communities. Collaborates with stakeholders related to suicide prevention. Provides and develops presentations and trainings related to suicide prevention. Provision of consultative services, technical assistance, and support to program contractors and other stakeholders: This includes serving as a subject matter expert, organization and facilitation of meetings, and representation of HHSC at public meetings. Performs bill analysis during legislative session and helps implements legislative mandates related to mental health services that impact children and youth. May work on the writing and planning of grant proposals to expand or improve suicide prevention for mental health services.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:1.Knowledge of:a. the application of best practices for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention in behavioral health services;b. the intersection of mental health and academics;c. suicide prevention best practices and evidence based programs, treatments, recovery, resiliency, engagement and disease management concepts and program components as they relate to the provision of mental health services, statewide;d. prevention, intervention and treatment concepts and program components as they relate to the provision of mental health; ande. suicide specific screening, risk assessment and other best practices for use in Texas mental health system.2. Skills in:a. effective verbal communication, to include the preparation and presentation of data analysis;b. project management;c. identifying problems such as performance improvement issues with implementing best practices for suicide intervention in the providers of suicide service, and negotiating and implementing solutions to organizational and service delivery problems;d. advanced business and technical writing, reporting, and interpretation of data;e. identifying the most effective suicide intervention from mental health clinical skills and knowledge to apply into policy and procedures;f. crisis intervention, suicide prevention and postvention.Ability to:a. organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing, on agency wide workgroups where school mental health and/or suicide are cross issues, such as homelessness initiatives, jail diversion, crisis services, crisis hotlines, substance abuse, substance prevention, and others;b. analyze and solve work problems affecting the operations and functions representing HHSC on multiple national workgroups in suicide prevention;c. work appropriately in collaboration with others to manage and meet multiple deadlines as they relate to multiple populations served across the state.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:Preference given to a Licensed Clinician with one of the following licenses: LMSW, LPC, LMFT, LCDC, LCSW, LSSP, or Licensed Psychologist. A doctorate degree in a field related such as Psychology, Social Work, or Medicine may be considered in lieu of clinical license.Preference given to: Suicide Prevention or Zero Suicide Expert with at least one year zero suicide work experience and/or one year of school mental health work experience.Preference given to candidate with strong project management skills/experience.
Initial Selection Criteria:Experience working in mental health field. Experience in project management.
Additional Information:
MOS Code:There are no direct military occupations that relate to the responsibilities, registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservist, guardsmen and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the qualifications for this position.
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS