BH Case Manager (Davis & Elkins/Wesleyan College)

Job Objective: This position is responsible for managing an assigned caseload of adolescent and adult patients with long-term mental illness and/or chemical dependency-related diagnoses. The case manager is responsible for assessing needs, developing, implementing, reviewing treatment plans, and coordinating services for individuals and families served. The case manager provides services and assists mental health professionals in developing and delivering services to individuals challenged by mental illness and/or addiction.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties:
• Accepts newly assigned cases in which the diagnostic intake has been completed by a licensed provider. Completes case management assessment on all patients entering caseload.
• Develops appropriate treatment/service plans with patients to implement appropriate services and develop effective alliances with patients.
• Provides ongoing support and/or case management functions according to the problems, needs, and strategies identified within the treatment plan to help the patient achieve the stated goals and objectives.
• Provides face-to-face reviews with patients and/or relevant staff on a regular basis, the progress made in achieving treatment goals so that the treatment plan can be modified as necessary to ensure that the goals and objectives have been achieved. The treating provider and treatment plan will determine the frequency of reviews.
• Documents all contacts on a timely basis, including face-to-face interviews, meetings with treatment providers, maintains case records in accordance with regulatory standards and requirements.
• Assists the patients in obtaining appointments with external specialists and setting up patient use of community services.
o Refers patients to community resources as needed. Establish and maintain relationships with identified service providers.
o Ensures that referrals are addressed promptly.
• Maintains ongoing tracking and appropriate documentation on referral tracking.
o Communicate with behavioral health staff any issues or any need for further follow-up.
o Contacts the patient and/or family member regarding any pending referrals and or diagnostic testing.
o Sends appropriate notifications, reminders, and letters to patients communicating referral status. Review details and expectations about the referral with patients.
o Ensure the patient’s electronic health record is up to date with information on specialist consults, including documentation of scheduled appointments, results from specialists, and treatment recommendations.
• Meets regularly with immediate supervisor to enhance professional growth, review case management activities, and address administrative issues.
• Maintains close communication with the consulting psychiatrist and support staff regarding medication compliance, side effects of medication, and medication changes and alerts these staff members to any changes in the patient which may suggest the need for intervention.
• Participates in regular interdisciplinary staff meetings held at position location.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.
• Supports the Mission, Values, and Vision of Community Care of West Virginia (CCWV) and the facility.

Patient Satisfaction:
• Assist patients, family members, or other clients with concern and empathy; respect their confidentiality and privacy; and communicate with them courteously and respectfully.
• Answer and refer telephone calls or other inquires to ensure accurate and timely communications are facilitated.
• Identify yourself in a pleasant and positive manner.
• Take responsibility for helping the patient.

Teamwork:
• Assist in the orientation/training of new members of the care team.
• Consistently work in a positive and cooperative manner with fellow members of the care team.
• Assist others in the performance of their assignments.
• Seek out opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked.
• Consider the impact of your actions on your peers throughout CCWV.
• Take direction and initiate actions (cross/additional training) that will allow the assumption of cross-functional duties to ensure seamless patient care.
• Demonstrate flexibility to perform duties wherever volume deems it necessary within CCWV.

Problem Solving:
• Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
• Investigate and follow through on unusual orders or requests for service or information.
• Follow proper reporting procedures for actual or potential accidents and/or incidents so follow-up and/or prevention can occur.
• Record/report the need for service maintenance or repair of equipment and remove any faulty equipment from service.
• Consistently evaluate work and determine if further steps are needed to meet patient expectations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Productivity/ Efficiency:
• Consistently demonstrate the ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary.
• Minimize non-productive time and fill slow periods with activities that will enable you to prepare to meet the future needs of the department.
• Organize job functions and work areas to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frames.
• Consistently demonstrate the ability to take the initiative to make decisions/choices without direct supervision.

Adherence to Departmental Policies:
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and the ability to reference them from appropriate books and manuals.
• Comply with the CCWV’s infection control policies and procedures, including the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, to ensure a safe working environment for self and others.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Paid Holidays

• Extended Sick Pay (ESP)

• Medical Health Insurance and Prescription Coverage

• Basic Life Insurance for Employee and Family

• Short-Term Disability

• Long-Term Disability

• 401(k) Voluntary Contribution Plan

• Health Reimbursement Account

• Employee Elected Voluntary Coverage for Employee and Family

• Life Insurance, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Spending Account

• Discounted undergraduate & graduate rates at West Virginia Wesleyan College for employee and family

Physical Demands/Working Environment:
• Work is performed in a professional medical office setting, business casual dress environment.
• Extended periods of sitting and/or standing, telephone, and computer work.
• Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
• The job requires standing, walking, hearing, reaching, talking, and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Incumbents will be exposed to viruses, disease, and infection from patients and specimens in the working environment.
• Incumbents will be required to work at any facility and be responsible for their own transportation.
• Incumbents may experience traumatic situations, including psychiatric, dismembered, and deceased patients

Qualifications/Requirements/Skills:
• Working knowledge of the nature of serious mental illness and addiction and related treatment modalities, interventions, and techniques
• Different types of assessments and their uses in treatment planning
• Consumers’ rights
• Local community resources
• Patient record documentation requirements
• Patient treatment plan development and implementation
• Demonstrates the ability to interview and assess patients, using appropriate assessment tools, and observe, record, and report on an individual’s functioning;
• Read and understand assessments, evaluations, observation, and use in developing treatment plans
• Establish an effective working relationship with staff as well as with relevant community organizations
• Interact positively with patients and their families
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, as well as collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and health care providers
• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Have the ability to engage with varying patient populations
• Must be flexible and adaptable to change
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills, able to work with little supervision while handling numerous projects at once.
• Effectively use electronic health records (EHR) to document patient interactions, progress, and other relevant information.

Education/Training/Experience:
• Must possess a combination of behavioral health work experience or relevant education and training, which indicates the possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform essential job duties.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or human services-related field is required.
• Two (2) years of experience in a healthcare setting, preferably behavioral health.
• Experience working directly with adolescent populations and individuals who have chemical dependencies is highly preferred.
• Experience with Medicare and Medicaid population, insurance providers, and telephonic engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in working with an underserved population.