Behavioral Health Case Manager II

Behavioral Health Case Manager

Under direction, provides a variety of non-clinical mental health and supportive services to a caseload of clients participating in County behavioral health programs; conducts assessments of client's physical and/or mental wellness and needs, participates in the development of treatment plans, and maintains consistent contact and communication to ensure optimal wellbeing; provides information and referrals to additional County and/or community service programs and resources; and performs related duties as assigned. Supervision Received and Exercised Receives direction from the assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Examples Of Duties

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed in various divisions/departments. Types of work performed shall be within the scope and licensure (if required) for the classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

• Performs a variety of case management duties in support of clients receiving services through a County behavioral health and/or substance use program; maintains consistent contact and communication with clients to assess and ensure optimal wellbeing.
• Conducts client and/or family assessments; screens and interviews clients in their homes, in the office, in other locations in the field, and by phone to determine client wellbeing and needs; coordinates services with other County staff and external agencies to provide services in line with client needs.
• Manages a caseload of clients; conducts initial, intermittent, and annual assessments and maintains contact with clients as required by program; evaluates and reevaluates client's needs and eligibility for services and support; develops wellness plans and provides linkage to additional resources and services as necessary.
• Provides linkage and referrals to other County programs, external service providers, and community resources; assists with scheduling medical, behavioral health, and employment resource appointments; advocates on behalf of the client/family with various County departments and external agencies.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings to develop or implement effective treatment plans; assists in the coordination of treatment plans with clinical staff and monitors service delivery to ensure clients' access to services designated in the treatment plan.
• Coordinates and arranges support groups and/or educational programs for eligible parents and youth; provides information and clarification to clients/families regarding services recommended or provided by County programs.
• Facilitates and/or co-facilitates group sessions for clients in various settings and programs focused on providing information, education, and skill building.
• Transports and accompanies clients/families to appointments linked to treatment plans; arranges for home visits and applicable services with the County Conservator's Office for clients under Conservatorship.
• Responds to client emergency situations and takes effective action to mitigate potentially disruptive incidents by intervention and referral; assists in monitoring placement of severe and persistently mentally ill patients.
• Refers complex cases requiring a higher level of care and/or specialized services to appropriate staff.
• Monitors, supports, and assists clients on a regular basis in developing or maintaining the skills required to achieve independent living status; arranges for money management and education socialization, rehabilitation, and other social services.
• Maintains accurate and detailed records, files, and databases related to case actions and client interactions; inputs and updates information into electronic case management systems; maintains confidential client documentation.
• Attends and participates in a variety of meetings, case conferences, joint team meetings, in-service trainings, and other staff development activities.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• County and department programs, goals, policies, and procedures.
• Case management principles, practices, and processes.
• Principles and techniques of effective interviewing and information gathering.
• Basic social needs, attitudes, and behavior patterns.
• Methods and techniques to assist and support clients.
• Cultural, social, and environmental factors and influences affecting client mental health, wellness, needs, and progress.
• Principles and practices of direct client service delivery.
• Basic medical and psychiatric terminology.
• Community resources and service agencies.
• Standard medical recordkeeping, and the processing and maintenance of required documentation.
• Standard office administrative practices and procedures.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Provide behavioral health case management services to clients with diverse needs in a sensitive manner.
• Assess ongoing case management needs for behavioral health clients.
• Participate in the development of effective client care plans to facilitate client maintenance.
• Perform crisis intervention, respond promptly to client emergency situations, and take effective action.
• Provide support for a variety of chronically mentally ill clients.
• Document detailed client histories and maintain accurate records and files.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, client case documentation, and other written materials.
• Understand the scope of authority in making independent decisions.
• Effectively utilize community resources to assist clients.
• Work effectively in emotionally charged or stressful settings/emergencies.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to the work performed.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to the completion of an associate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social welfare, social/human services, psychology, behavioral health, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible case management experience at a level equivalent to the County's classification of Behavioral Health Case Manager I.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver's license.

Physical Demands Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites. Employees also work in the field and must possess mobility to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and grasp; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Conditions Employees predominately work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, vermin and pests, hazardous substances, infectious diseases, and fumes. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions