Case Manager

Case Manager

Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Case Manager provides comprehensive care coordination, behavioral health navigation, crisis follow-up, and case management services for individuals referred through the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Tribal departments, healthcare providers, schools, first responders, and community partners. The Case Manager is responsible for completing participant assessments, developing individualized service plans, coordinating referrals, facilitating warm handoffs, monitoring participant progress, and improving continuity of care following behavioral health crises.

Working within a multidisciplinary team, the Case Manager helps participants overcome barriers to care by connecting them with culturally responsive behavioral health services, medical care, substance use treatment, recovery supports, housing resources, benefits, transportation, and community-based services that promote long-term recovery, stability, and wellness.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive participant assessments to identify behavioral health, medical, social service, and recovery support needs.
• Develop individualized service plans in collaboration with participants, family members, and multidisciplinary team members.
• Coordinate behavioral health services, referrals, and community resources based on participant needs.
• Facilitate warm handoffs between the Mobile Crisis Response Team, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, behavioral health providers, hospitals, healthcare organizations, schools, Tribal departments, and community agencies.
• Conduct timely follow-up contacts after behavioral health crises to promote participant engagement and continuity of care.
• Assist participants with behavioral health navigation, appointment scheduling, benefits enrollment, transportation coordination, and accessing community resources.
• Monitor participant progress toward treatment, recovery, and wellness goals while updating service plans as needed.
• Maintain regular communication with healthcare providers, behavioral health clinicians, peer support specialists, first responders, and partnering agencies.
• Assist participants in reducing barriers to treatment, increasing self-sufficiency, and strengthening recovery supports.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely case documentation in accordance with Tribal, State, Federal, HIPAA, and SAMHSA grant requirements.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case staffing meetings, quality improvement activities, and care coordination meetings.
• Assist with crisis response follow-up, participant outreach, community education, and behavioral health awareness activities.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, behavioral health training, trauma-informed care training, and cultural competency education.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager.

Knowledge, Skills, Certifications and Abilities:

• Knowledge of behavioral health case management principles.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Knowledge of community behavioral health, healthcare, housing, recovery, and social service resources.
• Ability to complete participant assessments and individualized service planning.
• Ability to coordinate care across multiple agencies and service providers.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain professional relationships with participants and community partners.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, confidentiality requirements, and documentation standards.
• Ability to maintain accurate electronic case records and prepare reports.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
• Endorsement and support of Tribal values, culture, and philosophy.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Human Services, Sociology, Behavioral Health, Counseling, or a closely related field preferred.
• Associate's degree with equivalent experience in behavioral health or case management may be considered.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing case management, behavioral health services, crisis services, or social services.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, trauma, or behavioral health crises preferred.
• Experience working with Native American communities preferred.
• Must successfully pass pre-employment and random drug testing during employment.
• Must acknowledge and agree to maintain a Drug-Free workplace as a condition of employment with the Pala Band of Mission Indians. Must pass pre-employment and random drug testing during employment. A DMV print out and background check will be required.
• Must successfully pass a Fingerprint-based background check of potential employees, volunteers, and contractors pursuant to Public Law 101-630 - Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act
• Must acknowledge and agree to maintain a drug-free workplace (including marijuana).
• Must successfully pass a background investigation and be eligible to work with vulnerable populations.
• Must possess a valid California Driver's License and maintain a clean driving record.
• Must be willing to travel throughout the service area.
• CPR/First Aid Certification preferred or required within 60 days of hire.
• Indian Preference will apply in accordance with the Pala Band of Mission Indians policy.

Other Requirements:

All employees are expected to follow the Tribal Employee Handbook of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and must adhere to any additional applicable addendums.