Case Manager-Wellness Center

GULF COAST CENTER - JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center Case Manager

Location: Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Working Status: Full-time w/benefits 

Summary:

Under the general direction of the Nurse Manager for the Galveston County Mental Health Wellness Center (Wellness Center), the Wellness Center Case Manager performs case management and administrative duties in support of the operation of the Gulf Coast Center Wellness Center and Gulf Coast crisis services in general. 

The Wellness Center Case Manager will provide direct assessment, case management and skills training services to individuals in both the Extended Observation and Crisis Respite units of the Wellness Center that assist individuals with successful discharge from the Wellness Center units back to the community and that help the individuals to avoid crisis reoccurrence.

Wellness Center services provide short-term, community-based crisis stabilization to individuals at low to moderate risk of harm to self or others and that have some functional impairment requiring direct supervision and care, but do not require hospitalization.  

Wellness Center goals to be addressed for individuals admitted to the program include: 

  •  Immediate crisis stabilization
  • A therapeutic environment to promote healing and restore sufficient functioning to allow the individual to transition to the least restrictive level of care
  • Provision of critical coping skills to support resilience and recovery
  • Engagement with the individual with family, LAR, adult caregiver, identified support system and community resources and support
  • Coordination of care and continuity of appropriate support services
  • Assistance with housing challenges to avoid a mental health crisis.

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 Wellness Center Case Manager will be responsible for the following:

Essential Job Duties:

  • Evaluate individuals for eligibility and appropriateness for Extended Observation and Crisis Respite services and complete necessary referral.
  • Case Manager will provide assessments to include identification of social, environmental, and cultural factors that may have contributed to the crisis, review of other precipitating factors leading to the current crisis, review of current support systems, and the individuals' ideas/plans for coping with the current crisis episode.
  • Responsible for facilitating each admission that hasn't had a diagnosis entered into the electronic health records to see a clinician for a diagnosis within I hour of admission. 
  • Will complete or facilitate completion of individuals' crisis treatment and recovery plans by the next business day after admission to ensure that they are adequate to meet the individuals' current crisis stabilization needs and for future crisis avoidance.  The crisis treatment plan must be based on the psychiatric diagnosis and incorporate, to the extent possible, the individual's treatment preferences and any preferences reported by the individual's family, LAR, or identified support, as applicable.  Individuals and, if applicable, their family members, LAR, or identified supports must receive appropriate educational information that is relevant to the individual's condition, including information about the most effective treatment for the individual's behavioral health disorder.
  • Facilitation of the ANSA reassessment for all LOC-0 individuals admitted to the units before their current 7-day LOC-0 authorizations expire.  If the individual remains in LOC-0 at this reassessment, plans are made to reassess the level of need before the expiration of the extended LOC-0 authorization.  Case Manager is responsible to work with the individuals and their assigned GCC crisis relapse prevention or case management staff to help the individuals avoid any disruption in their LOC-0 intensity services.
  • Facilitate the update of LOC-0 crisis individuals' ANSA assessments as their immediate LOC-0 crisis needs resolve to authorize a full level of care LOC 1-5 for continued crisis relapse prevention services.
  • Coordinate with enrolled LOC 1-5 individuals' assigned case managers for facilitation of an ANSA re-assessment to adjust the individuals' level of care due to the crisis episode by the next business day of an individual's presentation at the Wellness Center.
  • Case Manager provides reassessment of everyone's progress in treatment each business day.
  • Perform individual therapeutic skills training interventions that are required by the individuals' treatment plans and consistent with the individuals' clinical states.
  • Individuals who have significant co-occurring substance use must be linked with OSAR substance use disorder screenings for the OSAR staff to review eligibility for COPSD counseling designed to motivate the individual to engage in substance use treatment following discharge from the program.
  • Responsible to coordinate with Center staff that will be responsible for continued follow up with individuals after their discharge from the Wellness Center.  Responsible to review each individual admitted to the Wellness Center due to suicide ideation and concerns for their eligibility for the specialized Pathway to Care suicide prevention follow up services.  Responsible to coordinate with crisis relapse prevention or case management staff for follow up care for crisis avoidance for the individuals that do not qualify for the Pathway to Care. 
  • May evaluate individuals for appropriateness for Wellness Center crisis respite unit discharge.
  • May evaluate Wellness Center crisis respite individuals for extended observation unit or inpatient care unit in the event of crisis reoccurrence at the Center.
  • Helps individuals with conflict and problem resolution at the Wellness Center.
  • Assists with difficult discharge planning.
  • Responsible for ensuring completion of the initial and annual ANSA/CANS recertification in accordance with the Praed Foundation and HHSC performance contract requirements.  A lapse/expiration in certification will result in termination of employment.  Exception: If certification lapse/expiration is reported to supervisor within 24 hours of expiration date, employee will be granted opportunity to recertify by close of following business day.  Any lapse/expiration greater than 24 hours will result in termination of employment.  Additionally, all certified practitioners are responsible for participating in semi-annual quality assurance training activities conducted by the identified ANSA/CANS Super User.
  • The Wellness Center Case Manager will also provide mobile crisis services as needed in order for there to be rapid response mobile crisis services in the community. The position will also provide intensive crisis follow up services at a determined frequency until crisis customers are no longer in crisis and they are successfully transitioned to regular Center or community services.  The crisis follow up services will include crisis follow up contacts, rehabilitative skills training, family education, community resource referrals and transportation to community resources necessary for crisis stabilization and continuity of care.
  • Case Manager will be responsible to notify emergency contact person and the local police department for any individual that leaves the Wellness Center crisis respite unit unplanned if the individual has not been provided a risk assessment before leaving Center.
  • Responsible for completing all other tasks as assigned by the Nurse Manager.
  • 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:
  • Demonstrates a commitment to providing exceptional customer service to patients, co-workers and the community.
  • Demonstrates an ability to perform job tasks in an appropriately responsive, culturally sensitive manner recognizing one's own biases.
  • Work practices meet health and safety guidelines and requirements
  • Demonstrates dependable attendance and punctuality
  • Maintain current status in required trainings
  • Demonstrates an ability to implement trauma informed principles when working with clients and co-workers
  • Practices diversity and inclusion principles
  • The hire for this position must be effective in presenting Crisis Wellness Center Services information to locate school stakeholders, external agencies and other organizations to educate and/or gain cooperation with their response systems.
  • Wellness Center staff are expected to utilize collaborative documentation as much as possible to have service documentation in the electronic health record by the end of their shifts. Documentation must be entered within 1 business day of service provision.

Supervision:

  • Receives direct administrative supervision from Nurse Manager for the Wellness Center and clinical supervision from a designated clinical trainer.

Required Education:

  • Requires Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or University in the Behavioral Science field of study

Preferred Education/Licensure/Certifications:

  • Prefer Master's degree in psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related field from an accredited college or university.

Required Licensure/Certifications:

  • Prefer LPCA, LCSWA, or LMFTA required.

Preferred Experience:

  • 1 year related mental health experience is preferred.

Abilities/Traits:

  • General knowledge of mental health disorders
  • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Must learn and use the Trauma Informed Principles in performing assessments with persons in crisis so as to not add any further traumatic experiences
  • Requires ability to work within a team approach.
  • Requires proficiency with computer skills, programs and email.
  • Ability to establish cooperative relationships with youth, their families, and their communities.
  • Ability to provide sensitivity toward family needs and preferences when providing on-going services and crisis intervention.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with immediate work group and individuals external to the program.
  • Knowledge of local social service network.
  • Self-motivated with good time management skills.
  • Mature problem-solving approach to daily work.
  • Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrated PC skills.

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.
  • Crisis outreach staff are expected to work together as a team to have a schedule that maintains crisis services 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. 
  • Although this position will work primarily Mon-Fri 8:00a-5:00p the position requires flexibility to work different shifts or on-call as needed to meet program needs. 
  • Crisis staff are required to work on Center holidays unless approved for a skeleton crew by the Crisis Services Director.
  • Crisis staff that work on Center holidays will be paid their hours worked and an additional 8 hours of holiday pay or they can take the holiday off another day that is approved by the Crisis Services Director.

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:

  • Responsible for the needs of an around the clock Wellness Center will make flexibility critical.  Requires phone or virtual availability after hours and flexible work hours to meet program needs.
  • Crisis team staff periodically transport individuals in personal and/or Center vehicles. 
  • Majority of crisis interventions are in the community.
  • Requires current Texas Drivers License, safe and reliable transportation that is current with all State requirements, and liability insurance, Out of region travel may be required.
  • 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.