Forensic Case Manager

Job Summary:

The Forensic Case Manager will provide case coordination services to mentally impaired inmates housed in the Tarrant County Jail. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mental health and experience working with vulnerable populations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete all paperwork related to new referrals
• Review and triage new referrals upon receipt 100% of the time
• Check both CMHC and Care system for data concerning the client 100% of the time
• Call and request psychiatric records with 24 hours or the next working day
• Request protocol medications if inmate was taking medications prior to being arrested
• Review the referral, the arrest record, and other criminal justice information related to the case as provided by the jail 100% of the time
• Make appropriate determination daily as to which inmates will be assessed for services, and the promptness of such assessments, based upon established triage criteria
• Make a disposition on each referral/kite
• Provide face-to-face follow-up with inmates as soon as possible but no later than 14 days
• Provide Mental Health Assessment
• Conduct a clinical interview with the inmate using the Tarrant County Mental Health assessment form to determine his/her mental health status and need for psychiatric services while incarcerated
• Contract prior psychiatric service providers, family members/significant others, and/or other agencies to obtain information on client's psychiatric history, social functioning, and treatment needs
• Review information from available psychiatric records
• Contact criminal justice staff for information as needed
• Each completed assessment must consist of a disposition and a recommendation for housing if appropriate 100% of the time
• Obtain consents for treatment and for release of information from each inmate referred to psychiatrist or document the inmate's refusal to sign them 100% of the time
• Write the names of inmates who need to be seen by the psychiatrist on the triage list according to unit guidelines prior to the end of each work day
• Return completed referral form to unit clerk for data entry
• Inform Team Leader or Program Manager of high-priority inmates placed on the triage list
• Consult with Team Leader, Therapist, or Program Manager prior to recommending single-cell or SPC housing
• Provide ongoing review and follow-up on the mentally ill incarcerated in the jail
• Follow up on inmates as prescribed by classification, location, and individual client needs
• Ensure that all legitimate inmate needs are being addressed by mental health and medical services
• Provide feedback to psychiatrist, program manager, team leader, and other MHMR staff and/or medical staff as needed
• Document all ongoing contacts with inmates using an approved progress note format or the progress note section of the Tarrant County Jail Mental Health Services Request form
• Provide referred inmates with diversion services
• Refer inmates who may meet criteria for post-booking diversion to the appropriate referral source
• Ensure that Team Leader or Program Manager knows if any inmate may be in need of a competency exam
• Report and document client services accurately according to unit and agency procedures, and maintain a working log of activity
• Document through progress notes that 35% of total work time is in direct contact with clients
• Report sensitive and pertinent issues to manager immediately in written or verbal form 90% of the time
• Correlate SAL codes used properly with the service provided
• Turn in SALs for data entry within one working day of service provided
• Locate inmates' permanent chart or prepare a temporary chart (if permanent chart does not exist) for inmates needing further mental health service as soon as needed but no later than three working days
• Place all paperwork related to inmates who have been deemed as no MHMR follow-up for services in the inactive bin
• Provide ongoing review and follow-up on the mentally ill incarcerated in the jail
• Follow up on inmates as prescribed by classification, location, and individual client needs
• Ensure that all legitimate inmate needs are being addressed by mental health and medical services
• Provide feedback to psychiatrist, program manager, team leader, and other MHMR staff and/or medical staff as needed
• Document all ongoing contacts with inmates using an approved progress note format or the progress note section of the Tarrant County Jail Mental Health Services Request form
• Prepare information for submission and/or enter information into electronic storage, processing, and retrieval systems accurately and on a timely basis
• Information related to clinical records systems, CARE data system, CMHC data system, and any financial records contain no more than 2% errors
• No more than 1% of information related to clinical records systems, CARE data system, CMHC data system, financial records, and/or any other data systems critical to the mission of the agency or unit is identified as delinquent by standards or directives defining due dates for that particular data
• Employee in collaboration with their supervisor develops and maintains skills sufficient to meet job information preparation/entry responsibilities
• Employee produces positive outcomes as a result of their interaction with others
• Employee interacts with clients, other staff, the MHMR organization, and other organization(s) in a manner that promotes positive outcomes for the employee, the client(s), other staff, their supervisor(s), the MHMR organization, and other organization(s) 95% of the time
• Employee uses channels of communication prescribed by Agency Operating Procedure, established chain of command, laws, regulations, codes of ethics, professional standards, supervisory instructions, or other legitimate codifying entities in order to bring client and system problems to the attention of the appropriate authority 98% of the time
• Employee has no more than three episodes per calendar year in which clients, other staff, the MHMR organization, and other organization(s) have had negative outcomes as a result of the employee's interactions with them
• Provide Aftercare Plans at the time of the inmate's release
• Refer inmate to Continuity of Care upon knowledge of inmate's release from custody
• If Continuity of Care is unavailable, refer the inmate to housing, financial assistance, and vocational training upon inmate's request and prior to his/her release 90% of the time
• Schedule outpatient medication appointments for referred inmates awaiting release prior to the release 90% of the time
• Provide referred inmates with the case manager's telephone number and instructions to contact the case manager upon release for follow-up services
• The case manager will accomplish this prior to the inmate's release 90% of the time
• Upon inmate's request, coordinate with the unit psychiatrist to provide discharge medication

Requirements:

• Valid Texas Driver's License and good driving record
• Eligible to obtain Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP-CS) certification
• Knowledge of MHMRTC and BH Operating Procedures
• Knowledge of community resources, including businesses and volunteer organizations
• Federal Confidentiality Laws
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with clients and staff
• Working knowledge of psychopathology and DSM V classes of major mental illness
• Ability to work autonomously, organize work, and complete tasks assigned in a timely manner

Agency Requirements:

• All staff are required to participate in agency Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Safety programs and may be assigned by their department as a key/essential staff level function during critical events or for the purpose of sustaining business continuity
• This position may require temporary or permanent re-assignment to any MHMR Tarrant facility as determined by program needs and/or the Division/Director
• Assigned work hours may change as the needs of the agency change
• The Functional Title of this position may change as the needs of the agency change
• All work will be completed within the scheduled work hours
• All non-exempt (hourly) employees are expected to clock in and clock out for each work shift, no work should be done off the clock
• Prior approval from supervisor is required for all Paid Time Off (PTO) and Overtime
• MHMR reserves the right to change, add to, or eliminate positions as it deems appropriate
• Employment is at will, as well as agency needs may change
• Agency dress code is to be followed at all times
• Physical on-site presence, including regular attendance and punctuality, is an essential function of this position

Our Benefits:

• Comprehensive healthcare options (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Life insurance and additional supplemental accident and hospitalization plans
• 401a match and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Paid vacation and holidays; varied flexible work environment locations
• Annual tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Forgiveness
• Professional development programs and training
• And more...

Insurance Eligibility:

• Full-time employees begin 1st of the month following hire date
• Market-driven positions (full-time or part-time) begin immediately after hire date
• Select part-time market-driven positions are eligible for most insurance plans
• Substitute status jobs are not eligible for benefits