TCMP Benefit Worker - Psychiatry (Avenal, CA) - 140523

About the role

The UCSD Department of Psychiatry is contracted to provide Transitional Case Management Program (TCMP) services for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR). TCMP services are provided for eligible incarcerated persons under the jurisdiction of CDCR and the State Department of Mental Health.

Responsibilities

• Work full time (M-F, 8 hours per day, with work start and end times varying between 6am-5pm) at various CDCR correctional facilities, throughout California, and other regional institutions as directed by management within the Department of Psychiatry.
• Manage full caseloads consisting of incarcerated persons releasing from CDCR institutions, who are potentially eligible for benefit entitlements such as Medi-Cal, Social Security, and Veterans Affairs, diagnosed as having HIV/AIDS, diagnosed as having a mental illness, and/or incarcerated persons needing community-based continuity of care upon release from incarceration.
• Determine potential benefit eligibility based on medical/mental disability, financial, and/or age.
• Complete and submit application for California State sponsored Medi-Cal benefits, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Social Security Disability Income; and Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.
• Assist in the benefit application process.
• Act as a liaison with institutional and parole staff for cases requiring additional case management and collaborate on specific cases.

Requirements

• Four years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor’s degree in related area.
• Must be eligible for clearance to visit and work inside the prisons and other CDCR facilities.
• Ability to perform intake evaluations.
• Assessment, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner with a diverse client group.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment managing large caseloads independently.
• Demonstrated ability to use computer information systems and solid computer literacy skills.
• Knowledge and experience in utilizing computer word processing to formulate documents, email for communication with other professionals, knowledge of internet to access resources as needed for client care and own professional development.
• Demonstrated accountability and excellent organizational skills to prioritize workload to promptly meet deadlines.
• Experience in professional case management and/or work effectively, both independently and in a team environment, to follow through with superior attention to detail and to complete tasks in a timely manner by a specific deadline.
• Experience in providing direct services to State Prison incarcerated populations including a thorough knowledge of prison culture, dynamics, and environmental risk factors.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local laws related to health and social welfare.
• Solid experience assisting clients with Social Security Administration, Veteran's Affairs and Medicare/Medical.
• Demonstrated knowledge and prior experience in professional case management and/or work with parolees/ex-offenders diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and/or Mental Illness.
• Casework experience must have included performing psychosocial assessments; developing benefit assistance, creating service plans; securing housing; conducting referral and follow-up progress evaluations.
• Training and experience using motivational interviewing techniques with incarcerated populations.
• Knowledge of various psychological theories and appropriate techniques for working with incarcerated populations.
• Understanding of theories and etiology for clients with co-occurring disorders.
• Experience with providing direct services to State Prison incarcerated populations including a thorough knowledge of prison culture, dynamics, and environmental risk factors.

Skills

• Ability to perform intake evaluations.
• Assessment, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner with a diverse client group.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment managing large caseloads independently.
• Demonstrated ability to use computer information systems and solid computer literacy skills.
• Knowledge and experience in utilizing computer word processing to formulate documents, email for communication with other professionals, knowledge of internet to access resources as needed for client care and own professional development.
• Demonstrated accountability and excellent organizational skills to prioritize workload to promptly meet deadlines.
• Experience in professional case management and/or work effectively, both independently and in a team environment, to follow through with superior attention to detail and to complete tasks in a timely manner by a specific deadline.
• Experience in providing direct services to State Prison incarcerated populations including a thorough knowledge of prison culture, dynamics, and environmental risk factors.
• Training and experience using motivational interviewing techniques with incarcerated populations.
• Knowledge of various psychological theories and appropriate techniques for working with incarcerated populations.
• Understanding of theories and etiology for clients with co-occurring disorders.
• Experience with providing direct services to State Prison incarcerated populations including a thorough knowledge of prison culture, dynamics, and environmental risk factors.

Benefits

Annual Full Pay Range: $78,133 - $113,838 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $37.42 - $54.52

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).