Case Manager

For 50 years, Buckelew Programs has been committed to the mission of providing mental health and addiction services that promote recovery, resilience and hope. The agency provides numerous essential community services throughout Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties ranging from supported housing and job training for people with mental illness to outpatient psychotherapy and other support for children, adults and families, as well as residential detoxification services, and a regional suicide prevention program and crisis hotline.

The Case Manager is responsible for providing support to clients in the Marin Assisted Independent Living program (MAIL) so that they may live independently in the community. Working as part of a team, the Case Manager lends support to individuals in the areas of psychiatric rehabilitation, medication management skills, teaching symptom management strategies, relapse prevention, harm reduction, independent living skills development, health and wellness education and coaching, locating housing, budgeting assistance, linkage and referral to behavioral health resources, and providing opportunities for community integration. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative

•    Responsible for maintaining agency billing standards as outlined by supervisor within the required timeframe.

•    Document, record and enter data necessary for agency performance measures. Maintain overall responsibility for client clinical records ensuring that they are accurate, neat and timely.

•    Work as part of team, providing prompt communication to all team members and community providers via phone, email and direct contact.

Clinical Responsibilities

•    Develop and implement client service plans consistent with program structure and philosophy.

•    Teach, assist and support clients in all aspects of activities of daily living that is helpful yet responsive to their readiness to take on increased responsibility. Assist clients with shopping, meal planning and cooking daily; teaching skills as necessary for program site.

•    Observe, monitor and report general tone and mood of clients; be culturally sensitive to the general physical and mental health needs of clients. Ensure agency safety protocols are implemented and adhered too. Assist clients in practicing and implementing appropriate safety protocols. Act as positive role model.

•    Provide counseling, consultation, and case management to clients individually and in groups in a manner that facilitates recovery and growth, assuming responsibility, and the ability to relate effectively with others.

•    Provide system navigation for clients who may be experiencing acute mental health challenges. Assist in accessing various medical, detention and psychiatric care facilities as needed and directed. Encourage client efforts at utilizing community supports and peer-based supports. (Wellness Center, AA, NA, etc.) Model, teach and assist clients in participating in social rehabilitation activities.

•    Provide crisis intervention and crisis management services under direction of Assistant Program Director, Program Director or Licensed staff.

•    Facilitate and lead group meetings and activities as needed and directed.

•    Provide medication prompts and reminders and assure that medications are taken, and prescriptions refilled in a timely manner. Provide medication assistance, proper storage of medications, and monitor client medication adherence as directed by specific program site.

•    Participate and contribute to program planning and agency committees as directed.

•    Provide transportation in personal and agency vehicles as directed. Teach use of public transportation system. Assist clients to maintain all medical appointments.

Maintenance Responsibilities

•    Perform minor repairs in agency houses and facilities as needed by program site. Report all major repairs needed to supervisor.

Program Quality and Compliance

•    Assure all services provided meet the highest standards of care. Ensure that services are delivered in a manner that facilitates progress toward identifiable client goals while maintaining a reasonable degree of client satisfaction.

•    Ensure that all legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements applicable to the program are adhered to and/or delivered, including compliance with program certifications as required (e.g., CARF, MediCal Regulations, HUD, etc.) and all licensing requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Case Manager I must meet the requirements of a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist as outlined by Medi-Cal (Associate Arts degree with 6 or more years' experience in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment or Baccalaureate degree and 4 years of experience in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment. Master of Arts degree and 2 years of experience in a mental health setting as a specialist in the fields of physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment.) Experience with people with mental illness and substance abuse issues is preferred. 

Professional: Must be fluent in English; bilingual English/Spanish preferred and encouraged. Ability to work in an independent, organized, calm and reassuring manner using good boundaries and good judgment; to be reliable, dependable and flexible; and to accept supervision, suggestions and feedback. Must have interest in working with persons with a behavioral health disability. Ability to work within all the rules, regulations, and policies that govern agency compliance. Organized, responsible, professional, able to work on many projects simultaneously, to be flexible, empathic and able to relate to clients, other professionals, and the general community. Intermediate level skills in MS Office (including Excel, Word and Outlook). Must be a positive team player. Must have and maintain a valid California driver's license with an insurable driving record and insured personal car to use on the job. 

Physical Requirements: Physically capable of the following intermittent activities: listening, talking, seeing, stretching, bending, kneeling, twisting, squatting, reaching above and below the shoulder, pushing, pulling, grasping and lifting up to 30 pounds in weight. Physically capable of the following extended activities: driving, writing, standing, typing, and sitting.

Benefits: Employer-paid medical, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts for medical, dependent care and transit costs, retirement savings plan, employee assistance plan, paid meal breaks and up to 6 weeks of paid time off.

NOTE: Those who hold an advanced degree, Masters level at minimum, will be classified as Case Manager II. Those who have achieved AA/AS and BA/BS degrees will be classified as Case Manager I.

AA/EOE