Caseworker 3 - Mental Health Administrative Case Manager

Must apply on external site: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northamptoncounty

Posting will remain online until filled.

Monday-Friday Day Shift (in person)

Pension retirement plan [20 years of service = full retirement at age 55 OR any # of years = full retirement at age 60]. Vested at five years.

Internal growth opportunities!

Low-cost Medical/Prescription/Dental/Rx all offered at one rate (% of salary)

PPO or High Deductible PPO with employer HSA contribution

11 paid holidays

Salary:  New employees will receive the minimum starting salary for this position. The starting salary is non-negotiable.

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Caseworker 3- Mental Health Administrative Case Manager position is a fulltime advanced professional casework position designed to offer intensive assistance to individuals with serious mental illness who need more intensive monitoring, support, problem solving and outreach than is available via the standard administrative case management position. Case manager will work closely with other DHS divisions such as AAA, CYF, D&A, HC, ID and IRES to resolve complex case issues for individuals needing MH services. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to the County Casework Supervisor 
    
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position is not responsible for the supervision of other staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Will carry a caseload of individuals who have serious mental illness with complex needs, including children transitioning to the adult system, individuals with intellectual challenges, older adults, individuals with substance use disorders and individuals with complex medical needs; and who require communication between other DHS divisions. 

Will work with IRES and other DHS divisions in identifying needed supports and services and will assist with working through complex cases to meet the targeted individuals need. Cases may or may not become open to the MH unit for ongoing services.

Will communicate with necessary DHS divisions, request complex case meetings and attend/facilitate complex case meetings as needed. This position will require a high level of communication, professionalism and problem solving skills. Must be knowledgeable of DHS divisional resources with the assistance of MH Program Specialists.

Will keep timely and detailed records of all complex case meetings and casework activities in Care Tracker or any other appropriate database. Will work closely with MH Administration, Program Specialists and Case Work Supervisor to provide regular updates on complex case status. 

Manages the NCMH Warm-handoff program for suicide attempt survivors returning from inpatient hospitalization to the community. Is responsible for following individuals thought the program and maintaining all necessary records and documentation. Is responsible for reporting statistics to all necessary parties. Serves as the liaison between the hospital networks and the MH division.

Will complete MH intakes, liability assessments, service authorizations and ongoing service plans as needed. Completes all relevant paperwork and referrals to MH programs.

Updates sliding-fee-scale liabilities annually or more frequently as dictated by changes in client income, insurance, marital status and/or number of family dependents.

Maintains ongoing records of each individual’s progress and arranges for services related to the MH service plan. This includes ongoing documentation in the form of case notes in a computer database for the individual. Workers create MH files to have an electronic record of necessary forms such clinical assessments, liabilities authorizations and discharges. Workers are responsible for scanning all pertinent documents needed to maintain the electronic record.

Participates in regular service/treatment planning and review activities that may include attendance at inter-agency and/or intra-agency meetings for the purpose of developing, monitoring, and updating individual service/treatment plans. Documentation is entered electronically for review by casework supervisor.

Assist individuals in obtaining and utilizing healthcare services (medical evaluation/treatment, psychiatric evaluation/treatment, therapy, and any needed substance abuse evaluation/treatment).  This may require assisting with scheduling and transportation.  It may also involve assisting managed care individuals with navigating their systems of care and with processing any necessary grievances.

Assist individuals with obtaining and maintaining access to medications. This may also include working with pharmaceutical companies’ patient assistant programs and the DPA spend-down program.

Assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining involvement with socialization, vocational/employment opportunities, volunteer opportunities, etc.  This will include encouraging participation with senior centers, faith-based organizations, mental health programs, support groups, etc.  This may require frequent site/home visits and problem-solving sessions.

Assist individuals needing emergency food, clothing, utilities/energy assistance, shelter, medical benefits, and/or financial assistance.  This may include working with food banks, utility companies, homeless shelters, Disability Assistance Program workers from the County Assistance Office and with workers from the Bureau of Disability Determination, to assist people who apply for SSI and SSD with determination of eligibility for those programs.

Provide life management services for clients when, due to their disability, they require this service.  This may involve making referral(s) to a higher level of targeted case management, alternate living arrangements, partial hospitalization programs and/or other community support programs.

Serves as a resource to DHS divisions to promote understanding of mental illness, promote and educate staff regarding the identification of symptoms of mental illness and ensure understanding of the referral process for services. This may also include outreach to provider agencies. 

Served as the liaison to local boards as assigned (i.e. LANTA, PA LINK, CYF transition services, D&A groups) for the MH division.

Duties and responsibilities of this position involve work of a confidential nature in dealing with client interviews, records, information and contracts.  Confidentiality is to be maintained at all times in accordance with current regulations and policies.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description.  Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed.  The duties listed above 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 the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Two years of experience as a Caseworker 2; OR

A bachelor's degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences and three years of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency; OR

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences.


Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license. Must have an acceptable driving record. Personal vehicle required for County business, employee is eligible for mileage reimbursement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES  
Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing the administration of County Child Welfare or Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities programs.

Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques and methods.

Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and available resources.

Knowledge of human development and individual and group behavior and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional, or health problems.

Knowledge of the principles and methods applied in collecting, reviewing, analyzing and interpreting case management summaries, statistical data, and reports.

Knowledge of the organization and structure of the court, judicial, and legal systems as they relate to County Child Welfare or community Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities programs.

Knowledge of court-related requirements for the preparation and presentation of legal documents and testimony for the courts.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public education and consultation, and the development of resources and educational programs and materials.


Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families, the courts, judges, attorneys, police, representatives from other community agencies and agency staff.

Ability to facilitate and negotiate between the judicial, legal and the Child Welfare and Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities systems.

Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans, operations, goals and objectives and make recommendations toward policy determination.

Ability to provide advice, technical assistance, and training to agency staff regarding the requirements, structures, and operations of the court and legal systems.

Ability to coordinate and schedule court appearances with clients, parents, attorneys, witnesses, and others to provide testimony.

Ability to function independently and decisively.

Ability to develop resources and educational materials and to speak before a variety of groups and organizations.

Ability to maintain confidentiality in high-pressure situations.

Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, and set priorities. 

Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services. 

Ability to express ideas verbally and in writing.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.    

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Telephone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, and.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear.  

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  

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

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job

The noise level in the work environment is MODERATELY QUIET.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check as well as job related tests may be required. 

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.


FLSA STATUS:        FLSA NON-EXEMPT (Eligible for OT)
DESIGNATION:        CAREER SERVICE
PAY GRADE:            PS-37
UNION STATUS:      HS PSSU