Blended Case Manager

Alternative Community Resource Program, Inc · Somerset, PA · 1 wk ago

OTHRInternship

About the role

The Blended Case Manager (BCM) provides blended case services to adults and children who suffer from a serious mental illness or emotional disturbance. The BCM will ensure that clients are linked to necessary resources in order for the client to remain in the least restrictive and most normal setting. The BCM will promote independence so that the client will be educated on resources that will encourage appropriate knowledge of resources in the community in which they live. Blended services are recovery-oriented and consumer-led. While in the program, the client determines their own path of recovery by maximizing independence and self-sufficiency. The BCM will use an Environmental Matrix (EM) testing tool to evaluate self-sufficiency and the necessary level of service. The BCM will collaborate with the client's treatment team to obtain crisis contacts and current or anticipated stressors during the BCM intake. While services are active for the client, the BCM will work with the individual and their families to access, link, coordinate, and monitor needed services as well as provide support and encouragement.

Responsibilities

Complete a progress note after every direct or collateral visit with the client. Progress notes must be typed, include the date, time, and circumstance of contacts, indicate whether or not billable service, contain the client's name and/or MAID number, state how many units were billed or not billed, reflect how the service/encounter relates to the individual's goals, objectives, and/or interventions identified in the written service plan to work in furtherance of that individual's recovery. Notes are signed and dated by the BCM who provided the service and completed within a week of the service date.
Develop a Written Service Plan within one month of a BCM intake with the client and review it at least every 6 months. The written service plan will reflect documented assessment of the client's strengths and needs and identify specific measurable goals, outcomes, and objectives. The individual's written service plan will identify responsible persons, time frames for completion, and the Blended Case Management role in relation to the individual/consumer, and others involved.
Act as an advocate for the client to resolve problems concerning the level of services or the need for new services and plan modifications.
Complete assessment and service planning including a review of clinical information and a general discussion with the client and the family, if the client is a child, to understand the client's history and present life situation.
Complete regular chart audits with the BCM Director and Supervisor.
Consult with the BCM Supervisor to coordinate the implementation of the program policies and practices; direct, coordinate, and supervise the administration of the Quality Assurance Program.
Participate in the on-call system available to consumers 24 hours, 7 days per week by use of a BCM on-call phone, rotating the phone on a weekly basis. In the event of a psychiatric emergency that occurs outside regular business hours, make reasonable efforts to ensure all alternatives to inpatient treatment are considered. Educate consumers at first contact regarding the BCM on-call phone and give them the on-call phone number to call in the event of a psychiatric emergency.
Use Environmental Matrix to assess the client's strengths and needs to determine the level of service needed.
Assist clients and families (if the client is a child) in gaining access to needed services or resources, including home and community visits and other efforts as needed. Home and community is defined broadly to include field contacts which may take place on the street, at the person's residence or place of work, psychiatric treatment facilities, rehabilitation programs, and/or other agencies where support or entitlements are available to the client.
Develop a list of natural supports available to assist the client and family in relation to their service plan to ensure the BCM is not providing direct service and treatment and not taking responsibility for the completion of goals on the service plan.
Assist clients and families (if the client is a child) in locating and obtaining services specified in the services plan including arranging for the client or the family to be established with the appropriate service provider.
Conduct ongoing review of the person's receipt of and participation in services. Make regular contact with the client and the family (if the client is a child) to determine their opinion on progress, satisfaction with the service or provider, and any needed revisions to the service plan. Make regular contact with provider/program staff to determine if the client and family (if the client is a child) is progressing on issues identified in the service plan and if specific services continue to be needed and are appropriate. Make regular contact with other public agencies serving the consumer and with the family if the client is a child.
Engage in active advocacy efforts to assist the client and family (if the client is a child) in gaining access to needed services and entitlements. Have easy access to communicate with the county administrator to obtain assistance in resolving issues that prevent a person from receiving needed treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. On a systems level, this may include providing information to help plan modifications to existing services or implement new services to meet identified needs and provide information to help plan modifications for accessing resources.
Complete discharge documents when a consumer is exiting the BCM program, including a recommended aftercare plan.
Complete weekly encounter forms that document the clients' name, MA number, and time of service provided. Encounters are to be signed by the BCM and client weekly.
Contact clients receiving services on a regular basis according to the client's EM score, to evaluate progress, satisfaction with services, and need for revisions of the service plan. Contact may include home and community visits which may take place in public, at the person's residence, place of work, psychiatric treatment facilities, or rehabilitation programs. Regular contact can also be made with other public agencies or the individuals' family members.
Work with the consumer in addressing any client-compliant/grievance process issues.

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements: A bachelor's degree with major course work in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, anthropology, other social sciences, criminal justice, theology, nursing, counseling or education (OR) be a registered nurse (OR) a high school diploma and 12 semester credit hours in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, or other social science and 2 years of experience in direct contact with mental health consumers (OR) a high school diploma and 5 years of mental health direct care experience in public or private human services with employment as an intensive case management staff person prior to April 1, 1989.

Required Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated ability to skillfully communicate and engage with individuals who have a mental health diagnosis collaboratively.
Detail-oriented with good organizational skills.
Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal.
Knowledge of community resources and the ability to obtain resources and services to assist clients receiving Blended Case Management services.
Planning, organizing, time management, and coordinating skills to ensure proper provision of services to the client.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. at times with or without assistance.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Prolonged periods of standing and moving.

Required Clearances and Documentation

Must possess a valid driver's license and have access to reliable transportation.
Act 31/Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training.
Act 34 Pennsylvania State Police Background Check – Criminal History.
Act 114 Department of Human Services FBI Fingerprints.
Act 33 Pennsylvania Child Abuse History.

Benefits

Eligible for Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (60-day waiting period).
Eligible to participate in the 403(B)-retirement plan.
Eligible for PTO accrual.
Eligible for paid holidays.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.