LEAD CLINICAL CASE MANAGER (PROJECT IN-REACH MINISTRY)

POSITION PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Project In-Reach Ministry Program Director, the Lead Clinical Case s clinical support and coordinates re-entry case management services for PIRM clients, and performs other related work including screening, assessment, referral, resource development, transition, and discharge planning. Provides care coordination and/or crisis intervention to individuals age 18+ with serious mental illness or co-occurring disorders 10-30 days pre-release and up to 120 days post-release as they prepare to exit detention facilities, including providing mental health assessments, individual and group counseling, case management, researching and organizing the necessary community resources to support client’s transition to the community; and performs related work as required. The Lead Clinical Case Manager also assists in the training and mentoring of graduate students, care coordinators, and peer-specialists providing guidance as needed.  The Lead Clinical Case Manager assists the Program Director and/or Program Supervisor in the gathering of outcomes data, creation of training materials, and the development of various reports as requested.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position.

• Provides mental health assessments, case management and individual and group counseling;
• Performs crisis intervention as needed; assesses and identifies clients’ needs for supportive services, acts as a partner and resource, performing case management services and client advocacy by obtaining appropriate linkages for necessary or requested services (e.g., mental health, housing, vocational, employment, food, etc.) and following through to ensure service efficacy;
• Refers clients to clinical services which are provided pre- or post-release;
• Collaborates with other service team members on client concerns;
• Requests assistance and guidance from management and professional staff when necessary to address client issues and problems; establishes and maintains contact with community resources to ensure continuity of care;
• Creates detailed documentation of client progress and performs various other administrative functions associated with the program; maintains client charts;
• Updates assigned clients’ progress notes, maintains daily log of clients seen and writes necessary communication;
• Transports clients to their needed linkage resource(s);
• Completes intake assessments, updated assessments, and other necessary paperwork, including service plans and service plan reviews; enters necessary data and information;
• Provides information, presentations and outreach to the community as needed;
• Upholds all Program Safety Policies/ Procedures and ensure that clients, staff and program facility are safe at all times;
• In the absence of the Program Director/Program Supervisor, serves as the first point of contact for care coordinators and peer-support staff regarding client concerns;
• Facilitates weekly utilization review meetings as needed;
• Assists in the gathering and entering of clinical outcome measures;
• Assists in the development of training materials for clinical and peer support staff
• Provides mentorship and guidance to graduate and undergraduate student interns
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

        Knowledge of: 

• Cultural and socio-economic issues relevant to providing appropriate case management services to special population groups, including Latino, African-American, and Transition Age Youth;
• Legal and ethical issues pertaining to delivery of professional services;
• Human behavior theory;
• Local community and mental health resources available to assist incarcerated clients;
• Group dynamic theories and facilitation methods;
• Diagnostic categories (DSM V);
• Social, psychological and physical factors of mental, emotional, and substance abuse disorders;
• Types of illicit drugs and behavior patterns associated with them;
• Addictive behavior treatment methods; and Community resources.

        Ability to:

• Assess for the purpose of acquiring diagnostic information and developing case management treatment plans;
• Work with the incarcerated population and correctional staff; Maintain detailed client documentation;
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with a variety of people with mental illnesses;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, correctional staff, other professional staff and the public;
• Operate a computer using word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications, and operate other standard office equipment;
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply local, state and federal law and regulations governing mental health programs and correctional facilities;
• Analyze complex mental health and substance abuse program issues and problems, evaluate alternative solutions and develop sound conclusions, recommendations and courses of action;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Successfully perform duties in a field-based setting.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English; ability to write simple correspondence in English; ability to effectively communicate and present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s; ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables, in standardized situations.

Experience and Training:

A typical way of obtaining the necessary experience and training is by obtaining a Master’s Degree from an accredited university, plus license or registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences in one of the following: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT); Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Marriage; Associate Marriage and Family Therapists, Associate Social Workers, as well as MFT, MSW, or other licensure-eligible counseling program students/interns who are within 90 days of graduation are also encouraged to apply. Graduate-level internship experience working with a population with co-occurring disorders is preferred. A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in a substance use/mental health setting, experience with motivational interviewing and different therapeutic approaches, experience with mental health diagnoses, experience working with Latinx, African American, and the incarcerated population is highly desirable.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid California driver's license with current, valid California automobile insurance is required; CPR/First Aid Certified; TB test required upon hire and must be maintained every four (4) years; Within 90 days of hire be able to attain Licensure or Registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or American Psychological Association in the disciplines of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, or Psychology. Bilingual (English/ Spanish) highly desirable. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

Employee is required to stand, bend or stoop for long periods of time; sit, stand, talk or hear in person and by telephone, use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and other standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms. The employee infrequently lifts up to fifty pounds.  This is a field-based program; employee will provide services in the community or social settings.

Mental Demands:

This job includes close vision and the ability to adjust focus; use written and oral communications skills; read and interpret information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works under typical office conditions; the noise level varies, usually between quiet to moderate noise as well as in the field with a varied work environment.