Intensive Case Manager

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Job Class Code : 5042

Grade : 23

Salary : $24.29 - $33.84 per hour

• This includes a $.60 per hour institutional stipend

Location : Augusta, Maine

DESCRIPTION : This is professional services work in providing intensive case management for a targeted group of high risk mental health clients in a local community. Responsibilities include acting as a single identifiable focus for service responsibility and functioning as the primary support in a comprehensive and individualized approach to integrating clients into the community. Work includes ensuring clients' basic living needs are being met; advocating for and / or assisting clients in gaining access to and maintaining medical, psychiatric, self-help, rehabilitation, social, educational, psychological, and other necessary support services; and the intensive monitoring of clients' integration progress and overall service delivery. This classification is distinguished from the classification of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Caseworker in that Intensive Case Managers provide immediate and ongoing comprehensive case management, follow-up, and responsive interventions to a small (10-15 clients) group of the most problematic / high risk mental health clients in support of their integration into the local community. Work is performed under limited supervision.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS : Responds directly and immediately to clients and other involved parties on-site (emergency rooms, residence, other locations as necessary) in order to determine and address immediate needs for housing, respite, intervention, and support services. Receives and responds to referrals and / or requests for assistance from community based agencies and organizations in order to respond to client and / or providers needs and provide requested support. Confers with clients, professional medical / clinical personnel, providers, and other concerned parties in order to identify unmet needs and necessary supports / services and develop a care plan based on clients needs, preferences, circumstances, and team assessments. Directs assists clients in accessing and maintaining needed services in order to support clients' community integration efforts and plan. Maintains intensive personal contact with clients and concerned parties in order to determine clients' on-going psycho-social and community support needs and monitor the effectiveness of treatment plans and service delivery. Ensures clients' immediate psychiatric, social, and situational needs are met through medical intervention, provision of basic living necessities, respite, and other support services in order to minimize crises, prevent hospitalization, and promote community integration. Records and documents contacts with clients and service providers in order to document case history for planning and accountability purposes. Confers with families, providers, medical / clinical personnel, and other concerned parties in order to exchange information concerning clients' progress and needs. Participates in inpatient treatment and discharge planning in order to ensure community of care and brief and appropriate hospital stays. Identifies, advocates for, and obtains necessary support and services for clients in order to provide timely interventions, address unmet needs, and reduce the risk of hospitalization and / or crisis intervention. Meets with and provides information to community agencies, landlords, area businesses, law enforcement agencies, and the general public in order to increase community awareness of mental illness and availability of services. Participates in resolving crisis situations involving assigned caseload / clients in order to ensure continuity of care and that resolution is consistent with care plans.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED : Knowledge of mental illness; its symptoms, treatments, and effects on functional ability. Knowledge of local mental health community support systems. Knowledge of crisis intervention theory and practices. Knowledge of interpersonal and family dynamics as they affect the behavior of families of and individuals experiencing mental illness. Knowledge of medical, chemical, and other types of problems that exacerbate psychiatric symptoms. Knowledge of the needs of persons with severe and prolonged mental illness. Knowledge of client centered psycho-social rehabilitation techniques. Knowledge of behavior management and problem resolution techniques. Ability to initiate, develop, and maintain effective working relationships with clients, clinicians, families, mental health professionals, and law enforcement and judicial system personnel. Ability to evaluate mental status and assess potential danger to self and others. Ability to work independently. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to write clearly and effectively

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : A Bachelors Degree in one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences and four (4) years experience in professional community mental health work. A Masters Degree in Social Work may be substituted for two (2) years experience. Equivalent work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

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