Case Manager-Forensic Services-Intake Specialist (Part-time)

GULF COAST CENTER - JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Case Manager Forensic Services/Intake Specialist

Location: Brazoria County

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Working Status: Part-Time no Benefits

Summary:

Reporting to the Program Manager for Forensic Services, the Forensic Services Case Manager is responsible for providing services in the Brazoria County jail that are critical to satisfying Texas jail legislation for mentally ill and intellectually and developmentally disabled defendants. Forensic Intake Specialist will be responsible for the screening of offenders incarcerated at the Brazoria County Detention Center in Angleton. Other responsibilities will include the completion of the required screening form and the Justice of the Peace notification form. Forensic Case Manager staff are responsible to report to their program manager any barriers to completing the duties in this job description and the desk procedures.

Gulf Coast Center is committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and supportive environment that welcomes and embraces diversity in all forms. Gulf Coast Center defines diversity broadly including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, abilities (mental/physical), gender, gender identity, immigrant status, language, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and age. Gulf Coast Center embraces trauma sensitive and informed practices, provides suicide safer care, and fosters a safe and compassionate environment that promotes racial and health equity.

Job Duties: (To be performed with or without accommodation as based on ADA requirements)

The Case Manager Forensic Services/Intake Specialist will be responsible for the following:

Essential Job Duties:

Continuity of Care for Defendants with Mental Impairments Booking to Jail- Forensic Case Managers identify booked defendants that are Gulf Coaster patients to make continuity of care arrangements with the jail medical provider. GCC forensic staff review new booking medications lists that are sent over to the jail medical contractor in order to identify persons on psychiatric medications that need a Mental Health Services Intake Screening to be seen by the jail psychiatrist for continuity of care.
Forensic Case Managers interview defendants on order from magistrates and provide Article 16.22 written reports and treatment recommendations to the magistrates for consideration of jail diversion or personal bond. These written reports must be returned to the magistrates as soon as possible and no later than 96 hours from the time the order was signed. For defendants that are ordered for Article 16.22 written reports that have left the jail facility, Forensic Services Case Managers are to return the completed reports to the magistrates within 30 days.
Forensic Case Managers assist the jail, district attorney and local courts with jail diversion activities.
GCC forensic staff will make a referral to the District Attorney's office on all inmates identified as having mental health and intellectual and developmental disability issues and possible competency issues for consideration of competency review and expedited court docket. GCC forensic staff will assist the District Attorney's office in facilitating mental health assessment and other documentation necessary to establish hearings for competency reviews.
GCC forensic staff are responsible to complete Mental Health Services Intake Screenings and to coordinate with the jail contract medical provider on any jail inmate that is suspected to have a mental illness or intellectual disability and that need psychiatric care by the jail contract medical provider. GCC staff identify new jail inmates that need screening by daily reviewing inmate sick calls involving mental health, following up on inmate requests for mental health consultation and through jail staff alerts about inmates suspected of having mental health concerns.
GCC forensic staff will follow up on mental health crisis sick calls immediately. Consultation with the jail shift supervisor and consultation with the jail medical provider are used to determine whether a high risk inmate requires inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Inmates needing inpatient psychiatric care will be referred inpatient. Inmates that exhibit a crisis or urgent need for psychiatry will be expedited and scheduled to be seen by the psychiatrist for the next psychiatrist clinic. GCC forensic staff will notify the jail staff about any inmate assessed that seems to be showing signs of drug or alcohol withdrawal or the cognitive signs of delirium in order for the jail to activate their emergency medical response procedures.
GCC forensic staff will work with jail staff to identify releasing inmates on psychiatric medications for the purpose of referring the inmates to a GCC mental health clinic for continuity of care and to get consent to forward their treatment records to the GCC mental health clinic.
Intellectual Disability Jail Bookings- Forensic Case Managers will notify the Director of IDD services if they learn of any person with intellectual disability booking to the jail. Forensic Case Managers will notify the Director of Crisis Services if they learn of any person with dementia booking to the county jail.
Forensic Case Manager staff will also respond to requests from jail staff or judges requesting assistance with mentally ill and/or IDD individuals in need of jail diversion. Forensic Case Manager staff will assist jail diverted individuals with assessment and linkage to care as needed.
Will be responsible and accountable for the adherence to and promotion of the agency compliance policy and will require communication with various departments to foster, develop and continue our community partnerships as it relates to the position.
Treat all individuals with the utmost courtesy, decency and respect.
Provide responsive, and efficient services.
Interact with staff, consumers, local entities and advocacy groups to provide a service that meets local needs.
Provide highest level of Customer Service for both internal and external customers.
Required to report personnel leave; flex time and emergency leave to assigned supervisor.
Strict adherence to the professional, ethical, and legal requirements set forth in GCC's Business Code of Conduct as well as the Corporate Compliance Plan.
Consistent adherence to the Center's Dress Code.
Consistent adherence to Center safety guidelines and expectations.
May be required to travel within Brazoria and Galveston Counties.
Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
Must maintain a clear driving record and driver's license in accordance with our Driver Policy.
Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation and must maintain current auto liability insurance.

Non-Essential Job Duties:

Forensic Case Managers are required to maintain acceptable productivity during work hours and to complete all tasks assigned by Program Manager.
Forensic Case Managers will maintain open communication with supervisor and inform supervisor of any difficulties which obstruct the completion of duties or changes in normal scheduling. Conferences with the supervisor shall be initiated by Forensic Case Managers at any time based on need

Supervision:

Receives direct supervision from Program Manager-Forensic Services

Required Education:

Requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or University in Behavioral Science field.

Preferred Education/Licensure/Certifications:

Required Licensure/Certifications:

Required Experience:

Preferred Experience:

Two years full-time experience providing human services is preferred.

Abilities/Traits:

Forensic Case Managers must embrace the concept of teamwork, trauma informed care and jail diversion. Forensic Case Managers will need to have effective communications in dealing with law enforcement, jail personnel, judiciary and social service agencies to resolve the needs of defendants. Must be able to work under pressure with stressful situations maintaining a professional manner.
General knowledge of mental health disorders, ability to remain calm in stressful situations, self motivated with good time management skills, ability to multi-task, good interpersonal skills, ability to establish cooperative relationships with stakeholders, mature problem solving approach to daily work, knowledge of local social service network, ability to express self clearly and effectively orally and in writing, demonstrated ability to work within a team approach, demonstrated computer skills with a variety of office software, and ability to work well with other professionals and organizations. Must learn and use the Trauma Informed Principles in performing assessments with persons served to not add any further traumatic experiences.
Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
Requires ability to work within a team approach.
Requires proficiency with computer skills, programs and email.

Working Conditions:

Work will be performed in the Office, Field and/or Remotely setting(s).
May require varied work hours depending on need of clients.
Out of region travel may be required to attend trainings.
May require travel to various locations within Brazoria and Galveston Counties. Requires current Texas Driver's License, reliable transportation safe and current with all state requirements, and liability insurance.
Forensic Case Manager staff are expected to work together as a team to have a schedule that maintains forensic services.
Forensic Case Manager staff may periodically transport individuals in personal and/or Gulf Coast Center vehicles.
Forensic Case Manager staff will follow Galveston County jail safety procedures to protect defendant and staff safety. The GCC forensic staff will follow these procedures and work closely with Jail Administration and security staff to promote staff and defendant safety. Safety orientation is provided by Brazoria County Jail officers and the Program Manager to new GCC forensic staff at hire. GCC forensic staff will make themselves available for jail medical, and jail security staff to discuss issues concerning safety. If jail staff believes that there are any safety concerns that they cannot report directly to the GCC forensic program manager, then they should call Gulf Coast Center and speak with Center executive management about the concern. Safety concerns must be addressed immediately and the outcomes for any reported safety concerns should be communicated in staff meetings or other communications.

Special Projects:

Assist supervisor when requested to complete special projects and complete all assignments within a time frame negotiated with the supervisor. Completion of other duties as assigned by supervisor as it relates to the program and position.

Job Related Physical/Mental Requirements & Environmental Conditions:

Physical:

Ability to transport, adjust and/or move items up to 55 lbs.
Ability to ascend/descend stairs.
Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
Ability to handle objects.
Ability to operate office equipment.
Ability to move around within an office setting and/or other locations as needed; may include ability to bend/twist, kneel/stoop and/or reach for items.
Ability to push/pull, crawl/squat as it relates to PMAB requirements; may be required to perform PMAB restraints as it relates to program requirements.
Ability to detect and write effectively.
Ability to hear (with or without aid).
Ability to have visual acuity to operate a motor vehicle and observe objects within work setting.

Mental:

Ability to accept constructive criticism.
Ability to maintain regular attendance.
Ability to understand, communicate and comprehend accurate information with others in English.
Ability to reason and analyze effectively.
Ability to solve practical problems as it relates to position.
Required to pass and maintain all Center mandated trainings.

Work Site/Environmental Conditions:

Ability to work alone.
Ability to work closely with others.
Ability to work closely with clients and/or family members with poor hygiene. Ability to work long and/or irregular hours.
May be subjected to hostile environment.
May be subjected to high crime environment.
Potential exposure to tobacco products.
May be subjected to both inside and outside environmental conditions.
Subject to standard noise levels within working environment.
Travel by motor vehicle, van, bus or plane may be required.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodations as based on ADA requirements.