Case Manager - Young Adult

Description

 Purpose:

The Case Manager provides goal directed services to young adults with serious mental illness and severe and persistent mental illness (ages 18-26) for the purpose of increasing functional skills, decreasing the need for hospitalization, and maximizing independent functioning in the community. Young adult case managers will support clients with attending groups and drop-in services to increase social engagement and access to age-appropriate supports in the community. Young adult case managers will collaborate with the Early Psychosis Intervention Care (EPIC) Team serving clients in their first episode of psychosis. 

Accountabilities:

• Engage individuals and families as partners in services and develop positive, hopeful, and trusting relationships.
• Participate as an active member of the service provider team. 
• Conduct assessments and participate in treatment plan or plan of care development.
• Mediate between clients/families and other professionals directing services and care.
• Participate as an active member of the service provider team.
• Conduct assessments and participate in treatment plan or plan of care development.
• Manage the emotional distress experienced by clients and their families in avoiding and resolving crisis situation. Exercise discretion and independent judgment when determining a course of action. Maintain the ability to compare and evaluate possible courses of conduct and actions, or make a decision beyond standardized lines, as required by circumstances.
• Build client relationships, as well as business relationships and strategic partnerships with other agencies and external resources.
• Mediate between clients/families and other professional services to facilitate care plans, strengths assessments, and establish access to other resources and providers.
• Assert expertise in behavioral healthcare when dealing with courts, social services, professionals, doctors and education systems on behalf of the individual client/family to facilitate goals and objectives of client, care team and organization.
• Advocate for resources on behalf of the client and family with state, government and private agencies. Complete forms and facilitate processes as deemed appropriate by circumstances.
• Recognize and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural and ethnic differences.
• Help others succeed by demonstrating exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work with persons with severe and persistent mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbance, and the ability to react effectively in a wide variety of human service situations. Effectively manage conflict, promote change and growth, and inspire the development of all clients served.
• Complete all documentation and reporting requirements thoroughly and on time.
• Interact positively with other members of the agency and team, including active participation in supervision activities, team meetings, continuing education, etc.
• Regularly travel and transport clients and/or families in and around the region, and provide direct care and support as needed.
• Complete a comprehensive series of job-specific training in field of case management and social services and maintain on-going education regarding professional development, State, Federal, organizational and professional standards, including regulations, laws, compliance and ethical standards and practices.

Essential Functions: 

Achieve Results

• Ensure that all clients seen in this facility are treated with dignity and respect, and experience effective yet minimally restrictive case management intervention. Meet or exceed the organization’s access standards for timely service.
• Develop, implement, monitor and/or modify treatment plans (according to Medicaid and agency standards), as appropriate, in order to achieve client-specific goals. Ensure that treatment plans reflect a balance of client input, information from strengths and needs assessment, and other clinical assessments, as appropriate. 
• Meet or exceed departmental goals and expectations for productivity standards.
• Ensure that each client receives the highest level and quality of services available.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure that all treatments and interventions are delivered consistent with their programmatic intent and outcomes. Comply with all relevant laws, regulations, standards and best practices in order to satisfy case supervision requirements.
• Actively research and engage in the identification of internal and external resources and benefits which may be advantageous to the clients being served. Ensure all clients are appropriately connected or linked to resources necessary for them to      accomplish their expected treatment plans and outcomes.
• Ensure regular and consistent communication/feedback with supervisors regarding the practical application of professional training, best practices, philosophies and standards consistent with those taught and directed by the organization.

Relationships

• Develop and maintain respectful, courteous and professional relationships with all clients and their families. Work closely with all others involved in delivery of services to ensure that client needs are being met.
• Maintain positive, effective working relationships with other staff members, volunteers, donors, vendors, and other internal resource relationships critical to the efficient and effective operation of the organization.
• Develop and expand positive working relationships with current referral sources and related external partners and continue to seek out additional community services and benefits which may be of value to clients served.

Leadership and Workplace Culture

• Uphold and ensure all activities and conduct are compliant with internal policies, as well as all relevant laws and regulations. Model the values and the mission of the organization at all times, and act as good stewards of the organization’s resources.
• Proactively seek out and engage in professional development activities in order to remain current with best practices.
• Demonstrate behaviors that contribute to team cohesion and result in a positive, effective work team environment.

Requirements

 Qualifications:

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in social work, psychology, rehabilitation or other related health fields. Equivalent education plus experience will also be considered in lieu of degree.

Experience:

• Preferred experience in the mental health field, specifically with community based and/or outreach work
• Familiar with the needs of individuals with mental health diagnoses; preferred experience working with individuals with severe mental illness. Preferred experience with young adults.

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including both oral and written. 
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with both Center staff and various community agencies. 
• Ability to work autonomously in the community and be proactive in outreach
• Ability to facilitate planning meetings with individuals from multiple systems. 
• Proficient in use of technology, including Microsoft Office. 
• Must provide proof of current Driver’s License (non-suspended & non-expired)
• Must provide and maintain dependable transportation, comprehensive automobile insurance coverage, and clean driving record. Must be willing to submit to a vehicle inspection or provide proof of inspection within last year.
• Ability to build and maintain close working relationships with clients and community partners. 
• Complies with all relevant Center policies and procedures. 
• Performs other related duties as deemed appropriate by immediate supervisor or designate. 
• Ability to recognize and be sensitive to cultural and ethnic differences. 
• Must be able to safely perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodations. 
• Clearance through the Kansas Child Abuse/Neglect Register and criminal background check.

Location/Travel/Work Conditions and Considerations:

This position is based at Wyandot Center with frequent travel into the community. Most of the time is spent in the community including meeting with clients in their home environment and transporting consumers in personal vehicles.