Alternative Response Unit II Case Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary :

The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) and the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) Emergency Medical Services Division have established an Alternative Response Unit (ARU) to work in the epicenter of the Opioid epidemic. The ARU will consist of a Coordinator, Paramedic Lieutenant, and a Case Manager, working primarily within the PFD response system. The team will respond to persons who are treated for opioid overdoses who may refuse treatment, family members or any individual who are interested in treatment and require assistance with linkage. The ARU Case Manager will have the knowledge, resources and information of available treatment modalities and connections to social services. This position will support individuals on their road to recovery.

The ARU Case Manger will be supervised by the ARU Coordinator and work in conjunction with the team to engage, assess, link and conduct follow-up. Should the individual refuse transfer to an emergency department, the ARU Case Manager and team will engage with the individual and provide information related to accessing drug treatment, harm reduction services (i.e., syringe exchange), overdose education and naloxone distribution. If the individual is amenable to services, the social worker will collect contact information to ensure linkage. When not responding to a call, the ARU staff will be following up with people who were previously resuscitated and refused transport. The case manager, in conjunction with the PFD will be responsible for engaging with community organizations and members. The case manager will also provide overdose education and training to individuals and families.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Provide outreach and engagement to the individuals in the epicenter of the opioid epidemic. Works on-site collaboratively with the PFD-EMS services when dispatched for a possible overdose. Attends periodic staff meetings and serves as a representative on Opioid-related work groups; confers with coordinator on difficult problems; prepares reports and correspondence; keeps records of all assigned cases, completes documentation for follow up and data collection.

Skills Required : Knowledge of :

• Behavioral health and addictions services (inpatient detoxification, medicated assisted treatment (MAT) ambulatory detoxification, etc.)
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria
• basic medical terminology

Ability to :

Education and Experience :

A high school diploma required with seven years of experience or a bachelor’s degree in a recognized Behavioral Health field, and a minimum of five years of case management field experience with an emphasis on drug and alcohol. Bilingual Preferred

Physical Demands :

Mobility and ability to do “aggressive outreach” in the community in order to engage with individuals and families. This position primarily consists of field work and the ability to move rapidly and at times, maneuver between obstacles. The work is performed in all weather conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employment :

PMHCC, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act :

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case by case basis in accordance with the law.