Lead Case Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:The Lead Case Manager provides advanced case management services for patients/clients of WestCare experiencing substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or co-occurring diagnoses. This role serves as a subject-matter resource for complex cases involving multiple systems, ensuring clients receive coordinated, recovery-oriented care. The Lead Case Manager works collaboratively with counselors, clinical teams, and external agencies to improve service delivery, strengthen resource pathways, and maintain compliance with regulatory and documentation standards. While this position offers guidance and support to program staff, it does not include supervisory responsibilities.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:Manage complex cases involving co-occurring disorders and/or legal involvement (e.g., probation, child welfare).Collaborate with internal teams, social service providers, and external agencies to align and streamline services.Advocate for client access to detox, inpatient/outpatient treatment, MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment), housing, employment resources, and related supports.Conduct client screenings/assessments and develop individualized treatment plans based on client strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.Facilitate referrals to mental health providers, peer support groups, and community agencies.Educate clients on and connect them to resources addressing food, clothing, shelter, transportation, healthcare, and employment needs.Assist clients in establishing or reconnecting with community-based support systems.Help clients identify and address barriers to recovery such as stigma, transportation, or insurance limitations.Provide crisis support and guidance around incidents such as overdose risk, psychiatric concerns, or loss of housing.Coordinate with emergency services, crisis stabilization units, and other response teams as needed.Lead or support client groups as assigned.Participate in clinical staffing discussions and provide input regarding client strengths, resource needs, and treatment planning.Prepare accurate, timely documentation and reports for internal and external stakeholders, including funders.Audit case files to ensure accuracy, compliance, and completeness.Ensure adherence to HIPAA, state licensing standards, and funding regulations (e.g., Medicaid, SAMHSA).Utilize and help maintain Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems to support data accuracy and program alignment.Participate in community outreach and educational initiatives related to substance use and recovery.Contribute to the development and enhancement of policies and procedures that support recovery-oriented care.Provide guidance and support to staff managing urgent or high-needs cases.Demonstrate professionalism and collaboration with all WestCare staff to foster positive community relationships.Conduct client screenings and assessments.Educate and refer patients to community agencies and businesses that appropriately address the patients’ needs for food, clothing, shelter, employment transportation, etc.Assist clients with establishing or re-establishing support systems within their community.Act as advocate on behalf of the patient to improve access to the services needed.Participate in clinical staffing decisions regarding the patients’ current strengths and resources and their need for additional resources.Complete documentation to services on provided forms in a timely manner.Provide input into the patient’s treatment needs and disposition.Assist other WestCare staff as needed in a collaborative manner to promote cooperation and portray a professional image to the community.Embrace and embody mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation.Other duties as assigned, per programmatic needs.ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:Ability to work collaboratively with others in a manner that is pleasant and professional.Ability to work well in a team environment.Ability to exercise good judgement and discretion.Strong Microsoft Office Suite experience required.Ability to complete work tasks within scheduled work hours.Excellent verbal skills and written communication skills.Willing to seek out new work projects and contribute ideas and efforts to the constant improvement of WestCare services.During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:Bachelor’s degree in a human services or related field required.At least one year of professional experience providing case management services required.LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:CAP preferredWORKING CONDITIONS:Indoor and outdoor settings.Group and/or individual counseling sessions.Direct contact with clients of all ages and levels of functioning.Fast paced environment.Potential for high noise level at times.A minimum of 40 hours per week is expected but significantly more hours will be required from time to time. Completion of job duties may require working before and after normal working hours. Regular attendance is required. Being able to work as many hours as is necessary to complete job tasks is a required and essential duty of this position.ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB:The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to complete paperwork for many of the employee’s essential job functions and to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.The normal work routine involves no exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee.MENTAL DEMANDS:Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques. #J-18808-Ljbffr WESTCARE GULFCOAST-FLORIDA INC