Case Manager-MA532502

Under the general supervision of the Program Director or Designee, functions as part of a team providing client-centered, strength-based, trauma-informed rehabilitation and recovery services to consumers that relate to the care, nurturing, treatment, education, socialization, habilitation, recovery/healing and support of adults and transition age youth diagnosed with a mental illness and in some instances, co-occurring substance abuse disorder.  These tasks focus on supporting, instructing and assisting recipients of mental health services to develop the skills needed to attain personal goals, live, be educated, work, and socialize successfully in the community environments of their choice.  This includes hands-on assistance with daily living skills, including but not limited to hygiene, upkeep of physical space and living environment (including bed-bug prevention and treatment), laundry, shopping, meal planning and preparation, cooking, housekeeping, and traveling.

ESSENTIAL TASKS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions unless this causes undue hardship to the agency.

1. Secures information, such as medical, psychological, and social factors contributing to the individual's situation, and evaluates these and the individual's capabilities.  Based on this information, completes and maintains consumer treatment plans to include quarterly service-plan reviews, assessments, medical records, and changes in treatment and/or medications either manually or electronically as instructed.
2. Provides supportive counseling in 1:1 or group formats that assist the consumer to modify attitudes and behaviors as needed.
3. Maintains up-to-date, accurate individual case records on each consumer and develops measurable and objective service plans that maximize consumer rehabilitative abilities in accordance with regulatory guidelines.  Continually documents consumer treatment progress.  Reviews service plans and performs follow-up to determine quantity and quality of services provided. Ensures that plans include consideration of the consumer’s cultural and ethnic background, customs, needs, beliefs, and primary language.
4. Facilitates individualized services to the consumer that meet the diverse needs of the consumer and focus on the discharge-planning goal.  Document case notes regarding significant and untoward events and contacts with mental health providers, including ICM’s and AOT’s.
5. Models appropriate behavior and provides rehabilitation and recovery services to consumers that incorporates skills training in all areas of psychiatric rehabilitation, including the 11 restorative services.  Uses cognitive-behavioral techniques (e.g. role-plays, skills training, plans of action) that assist the consumer in meeting service plan goals Examples of skills training include self-advocacy training, ADL (Activities of Daily Living) skill building, medication management training, socialization skill enhancement, and conflict resolution training. Uses cognitive-behavioral techniques (e.g. role-plays, skills training, plans of action) to assist the consumer in meeting service plan goals.
6. Ensures consumers’ compliance with medication, program, and medical appointments, including morning or evening routines, to help consumers meet treatment goals and maintain appointments.
7. Monitors individuals' self-administration of medication; counts appropriate doses of medication and maintains medication records in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
8. Accompanies consumers on regularly scheduled or emergency visits to medical treatment facilities, social agencies, government offices, or other locations associated with the treatment or assistance of the consumer.
9. Obtains and develops resource information for consumers in all aspects of their care (clinical services, recreational activities, vocational programs both within and outside of ICL and disseminates this information to consumers in a manner that is clear and understandable.  Advocates on behalf of consumer with outside service providers and within ICL and works with other team members in addressing the needs of the consumers.  Plans, escorts, and/or arranges social/recreational, vocational, medical and other activities for and with consumers.
10. Performs crisis assessment and nonverbal and verbal crisis intervention using appropriate and approved techniques.
11. Participates in fire drills, performs headcounts, fire-watch and heat safety activities with other team members.
12. Immediately reports serious incidents, serious incident allegations, incidents, or sensitive situations to supervisors. Completes incident reports in accordance with ICL policy.  Accounts for consumers and files missing person reports on consumers not accounted for in accordance with ICL policy and procedure.
13. Performs room checks and regular inspections of the consumer's rooms, using checklists or other aids, to ensure the safety of the consumers, accountability of ICL property, and cleanliness of consumer's residence.  Engages consumer in learning how to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy personal living environment.  This includes hands-on assistance with daily living skills, including but not limited to hygiene, upkeep of physical space and living environment (including bed-bug prevention and treatment), laundry, shopping, meal planning and preparation, cooking, housekeeping, and traveling.
14. Participates as instructed in all program communication and training activities: for example, shift briefings, daily floor meetings, communication log review and entry, supervision meetings, case conferences, staff meetings, and in-service training and development events.  Participates in consumer community meetings as assigned.
15. Executes emergency plans as outlined in the policy and procedure manual.  
16. Assists in the orientation of new personnel when requested; assists supervisors and managerial staff with special reports, projects or responsibilities as assigned.
17. As assigned, functions as floor supervisor, including overseeing counselors, ensuring that headcounts, fire watches and heat watches are done; documentation and completion of any required reports; preliminary investigation of incidents, responding to emergency situations, and ensuring coverage for the next shift.
18. As assigned, may cover the duties of a residential counselor or of another case manager in the case of short staffing.
19. Complies with attendance and timekeeping rules and reports reliably and regularly to work on an on-going basis.
20. Complies with agency infection control policies.
21. May have on-call responsibilities.
22. Other job-related duties that may be assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in a human services field* OR

Associate’s  Degree in  a human services field*  and two years of full-time experience providing direct services to individuals with mental disabilities or other relevant human service experience    OR

High school diploma or equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education, and four years of full-time  human services  work experience  OR

An equivalent combination of training and experience. 30 college credits may be substituted for 1 year of human services experience.

*Human Services Fields:

Anthropology, Art/Dance Therapy, Audiology, Chemical Dependence Administration, Child Development/Family Relations, Criminal Justice, Community Mental Health, Counseling/Guidance, Divinity/Religion/Theology, Education, Drama Therapy, Gerontology, Health Education, Health Administration, Music Therapy,  Nursing/Medicine, Nutrition,  Occupational Therapy, Pastoral Counseling, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Recreational Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Sociology, Special Education, , Speech Pathology, Vocational Counseling, Human services.     

Your degree must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency.

CASE MANAGER TRAINEE

Otherwise  qualified candidates who lack the indicated number of years of experience may be offered employment as Case Manager Trainees at a reduced salary, until the experience requirements are met.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Basic knowledge of mental illness and serious emotional disturbances and substance abuse disorders.
2. Basic knowledge of treatment, rehabilitation, and community support programs as they relate to consumers/residents, families, and staff.
3. Basic knowledge of routine clinical procedures and medications.
4. Basic knowledge of techniques for identifying and preventing potentially violent behavior, including crisis management techniques.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Ability to work with consumers/residents, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences.
2. Ability to serve as a role model to residents/consumers.
3. Ability to develop, evaluate, implement and modify a case management plan, meeting all deadlines and productivity standards
4. Ability to complete written forms and reports in an accurate and timely manner.
5. Ability to communicate effectively with staff, consumers/residents, families, and the public.
6. Ability to prepare accurate and timely documentation, reports and other written material as assigned.
7. Ability to secure the cooperation of and work effectively with others
8. Ability to work independently, and to conform to all applicable safety and accountability measures
9. Social Perceptiveness and trauma-informed perspective-ability to be aware of other’s reactions and understanding why they react the way they do
10. Service Orientation- ability to actively looking for ways to help people, be compassionate and hopeful
11. Speaking- ability to talk to others to effectively convey information
12. Active Listening- ability to listen to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate
13. Problem Identification-ability to identify the nature of problems
14. Dependability-ability to report for work as scheduled on a consistent basis
15. Ethical-ability to understand and adhere to internal and external laws, rules, and policies
16. Knowledge of and/or willingness to understand the unique strengths and needs of transition age youth