SUBSTANCE USE CASE MANAGER (PROJECT IN-REACH)

POSITION PURPOSE:

Under the supervision of the Project In-Reach Program Manager, the Substance Use Case Manager provides services to incarcerated and recently released individuals age 18+ with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders as they prepare to exit detention facilities for 10-180 days pre-release and 120 days post-release, including providing individual counseling, group counseling, case management, researching and organizing the necessary community resources in order to support client’s transition to the community, and following through to ensure service efficacy; and performs related work as required.

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 case management, substance use/mental health assessments, individual and group counseling;
• Facilitates recovery-oriented and psycho-educational groups with clients post-release;
• 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;
• Assist clients with job linkages, assist with mock interviews and assist with job applicants;
• Collaborates with a multi-disciplinary team 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; and other pertinent information
• Updates assigned clients’ progress notes as needed and keeps the accountability, master list and any other pertinent client logs updated
• Maintains daily log of clients seen;
• Writes necessary communication to collaborate on clients’ needs, challenges and/or concerns;
• Transports clients to their needed linkage resource(s);
• Completes intake assessments, updated assessments, and other necessary paperwork, including service plans and service plan reviews
• Provides information, presentations and outreach to the community as needed;
• Upholds all Program Safety Policies and Procedures and ensures that clients, staff and program facility are safe at all times;
• Maintains a good rapport, respect and communication with law enforcement or court officials, clients, and community service agencies;
• Monitors, evaluates, and records client progress with respect to case management goals
• Other duties as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

        Knowledge of:

• Assessment of clients with substance use disorders;
• County’s System of Care;
• ASAM assessment;
• Counseling theory, and clinical care coordination principles and best practices;
• Cultural and socio-economic issues relevant to providing appropriate case management services to special population groups, including LatinX, 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 and recently released clients;
• Group dynamic theories and facilitation methods;
• Diagnostic categories (DSM V);
• Social, psychological and physical factors of mental, emotional, and substance use disorders;
• Types of illicit drugs and behavior patterns associated with them;
• Addictive behavior treatment methods;
• Community resources;
• Motivational interviewing & CBT;
• Criminogenic risks and needs.

        Ability to:

• Assess for the purpose of acquiring diagnostic information and developing case management treatment plans;
• Work with a diverse team which includes, the incarcerated population, correctional staff, Parole and Probation Officer, Court Officials and community-based providers;
• Maintain detailed client documentation and communicate effectively and timely;
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with a variety of people with substance use and mental illness challenges
• Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility;
• 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 use 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;
• To successfully perform duties in a field-based setting;

Experience and Training:

Typical ways to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above are completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling from an accredited university with experience with co-occurring disorders is preferred; plus, a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in a substance abuse/mental health setting, and one of the certifications described below; or an equivalent combination of training, experience, and education. Experience with the following: motivational interviewing, working with Latino and African American population, and working with the incarcerated population.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum of preferred qualifications include: Certification through California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) as Certified Addiction Specialist CADC-CAS, California State Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADAC) I; CADAC II; Certification as Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC); registered/certified with Breining Institute, or any other certifying organization is preferred. A valid California Driver’s License. CPR/First Aid Certified. TB test required upon hire and to be maintained every four (4) years.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

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

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit or stand for long periods; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands to handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; observe and interpret complex situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions and interact with NHA management, staff, clients, clients’ family members, funding agency representatives and others encountered in the course of work. The employee may have contact with abusive and physically violent clients.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The employee works in a field-based setting.  Employee provides services in correctional facilities, at community or social settings, or in clients’ homes when appropriate.