IST/Case Manager

POSITION TITLE: Case Manager 1

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Director of Clinical Services

PAY SCALE: $27.00 - $35.00 per hour (Non-exempt)

At Sacramento Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, our Case Managers are the connective tissue of patient care. You coordinate, you advocate, you problem-solve — and you do it all with compassion for some of our region's most vulnerable individuals. As a Case Manager, you'll work alongside an interdisciplinary team of therapists, nurses, and social workers to help patients navigate their path from inpatient care to a stable, supported life in the community. From discharge planning and county coordination to legal documentation and patient rights advocacy, no two days look the same, and that's kind of the point.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, feel at home juggling complex timelines, and genuinely care about making a difference in the behavioral health space, we'd love to meet you!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Care Coordination & Discharge Planning

• Coordinate linkage to mental health, recovery, and community services, including communication with County Liaison.
• Arrange and schedule follow up appointments, pharmacy referrals, and identify patient support persons.
• Provide placement support, assist with ID verification, and coordinate transportation as needed.
• Complete Continuing Care Plans and maintain required placement documentation.
• Ensure completion of required clinical and administrative forms in the patient record (e.g., DTF, IDT, T Con referrals, Firearms Prohibition Form, MHRS Report, JV220, 6552).
• Collaborate with inpatient therapists and interdisciplinary team members to support treatment and discharge goals.
• Provide support to hospital processes involving court related communication, including coordination with public defenders, district attorneys, and other legal partners when applicable.
• Assist with preparing and submitting required documentation for patients involved in legal proceedings, including IST related materials when assigned.
• Help track timelines and reporting requirements associated with competency evaluations or hearings as part of broader case management duties.
• Coordinate with hospital appointed counsel and external agencies to support compliance with legal processes.
• Support patient rights and respond to concerns or grievances related to care.

Treatment Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor patient treatment plans and progress, including those participating in competency restoration services.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers to ensure continuity of care.
• Document patient progress and provide updates to appropriate agencies, including courts or county behavioral health partners when required.
• Support patient rights advocacy throughout treatment, including during competency restoration services.

Records Management & Compliance

• Maintain accurate records of patient admissions, treatment, and required documentation.
• Assist with file audits to ensure compliance with state codes, departmental requirements, and hospital policy.
• Enter and track patient data in reporting systems and hospital databases, including IST related data when applicable.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of required forms and reports.

POSITION REQUREMENTS:

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, Criminal Justice, or closely related behavioral health field.
• One year of behavioral health experience; experience with Severely Mentally Ill populations, discharge planning, forensic services, or court processes preferred.
• Current BLS certification, or to be obtained during initial orientation period.
• Current Handle With Care (HWC) certification, or to be obtained during initial orientation period.
• Familiarity with continuum of care and clinical terminology.
• Familiarity with California Penal Code requirements for IST patients preferred.
• Experience with patient rights advocacy or legal documentation preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times.
• Sensitivity to and willingness to interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Proficiency with software and electronic health records systems (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, , etc.).
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; effective communicator across clinical and legal settings.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good judgment, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively as well as possessing the skills to lead, influence, and motivate others.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, expanding organization.
• Ability to manage complex timelines and documentation with precision.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold professional ethics.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Use standard office equipment and access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Use computer keyboard with manual and finger dexterity and wrist-finger speed sufficient to perform repetitive actions efficiently for extended periods of time.
• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Vision: see details of objects at close range.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Sit or stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time and come and go from the work area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Lift up to ten (10) pounds.