Case Managers

   PURPOSE:

The Jewish Board’s Adult Residential Division supports Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing adults with serious and persistent mental illness to live in the community with as much independence as possible. Using a non-judgmental, harm-reduction approach, staff model and guide residents to create and meet personalized recovery goals, develop independent living skills, and live in a healthy and secure manner. Our work is guided by principles that underscore the critical importance of stable housing, use a culturally competent and anti-racist lens, and respect the dignity and legitimacy of each individual’s journey. 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Case Manager is the most senior level of direct care staff working within the Jewish Board’s supportive housing programs to help residents live in the community as independently as possible.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Resident Support

• Carries a caseload and practices person-centered and collaborative service planning with residents.
• Is assigned the most complex clients; carries a larger caseload than case associates and case assistants
• Ensures service plans are completed and signed by residents according to regulatory guidelines and standards.
• Evaluates and assesses independent living skills using a detailed functional assessment tool or supports residents in using tool for self-assessment.  Supports residents in meeting individual goals.
• Supports residents toward the goal of medication management independence, including appropriate person-centered interventions.
• Advocates on behalf of residents with other services providers and in a way that takes into account health disparities and systemic racism.
• Interprets and explains agency policies and procedures to residents.
• May run resident support groups.
• Participates in monthly collaborative walk-throughs of unit/apartment with residents.
• Escorts residents to appointments, as needed.
• Facilitates monthly roommate meetings, when appropriate.
• Assists residents with physically demanding tasks, such as carrying groceries, laundry, and other household items, as needed.
• Heats fully cooked foods, on occasion.
• Resolves crises and de-escalates situations threatening resident comfort and well-being. 
• Creates management plans to improve safety and prevent ongoing crises.
• For congregate settings only: Performs safety rounds of the program and wellness checks, as necessary.

Administrative Support and Coordination

• Provides services to those residents within the scope of program regulations and agency mission.
• Independently completes regular and timely documentation of all resident interactions, including assessments, service plans and progress, and informational notes.
• Ensures progress notes meet monthly billing documentation requirements, if necessary.
• Files incidents reports, as appropriate.
• Links residents to community-based treatment and collaborates with other services providers when coordinating services.
• Participates in planning and execution of special and holiday events.
• Participates in regular staff meetings and trainings.
• Travels to off-site meetings and trainings, as needed.
• Participates in intake, assessments, discharge, and follow-up conferences; may take the lead in presenting cases in these settings or in high-risk case meetings

CORE COMPETENCIES for the position include:

Knowledge and Attributes 

• In-depth understanding of how mental illness, substance use disorders, or trauma can affect the lives of individuals in the community.
• Experience working with individuals living with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or trauma required.
• Knowledge of local and state health and human service systems and their navigation.
• Understanding of the demanding processes of stabilization and recovery.
• Commitment to working with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, a history of trauma, and/or homelessness.
• Compassion and respect for vulnerable individuals.
• Openness to approaching the work through an anti-racist lens, engaging in continuous learning, and putting that learning into practice to support our diverse resident population.
• The ability to stay calm in a variety of situations, some of which may be stressful.
• Patience and empathy for individuals on their journey to recovery.

Skills

• Communication: Conveys information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; practices active listening; engages residents respectfully.
• Self-sufficiency and initiative: Assesses, initiates, and completes tasks independently; contributes to the organization’s mission and team’s goals; researches and pursues professional development opportunities.
• Interpersonal relations: Demonstrates cultural sensitivity, interacts with colleagues and residents professionally and respectfully.
• Problem-solving: Analyzes situations objectively, generates or researches solutions independently
• Quality assurance: Attends to detail, follows standard operating procedures, and consistently produces work of high quality.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with teams and models collaborative teamwork, takes appropriate action on constructive feedback. 
• Organizational skills: Manages time effectively; respects deadlines; prioritizes multiple, emerging, and complex demands; demonstrates flexibility.
• Crisis management: Identifies situations in the environment that can evolve into a crisis, maintains calm during a crisis, has solid crisis de-escalation skills or is willing to learn specific skills to de-escalate a crisis.
• Good judgement: Manages risk and ensures safety of residents independently recognizes and acts on situations requiring intervention by a supervisor or higher authority.

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIRED:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree (At least 1-year experience in Human Services preferred)
• Fluent in American Sign Language

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite of products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Ability and willingness to learn new systems and application software.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL EFFORT

• Ability to travel to visit residents in apartments or to escort residents in the community. 
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to drive agency van preferred.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds to assist residents and to manage stairs in walk-up buildings as needed.