ACT Advocate (mental health case manager)

The Guidance Center•Southgate, MI

About The Position

As a recognized leader in our field, The Guidance Center provides a broad range of services that have helped children, adults and families unlock potential and build better lives since 1958. With 25 programs we offer treatment, prevention, growth and education services to more than 18,000 people annually. Together we: Nurture development. Foster resilience. Cultivate well-being. We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate in the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program to join our team of talented professionals. We have a market-based compensation structure. The estimated salary for this position will vary based on a candidate's transferable work experience and qualifications. This is a salary grade 105A. Hourly rates start at $25.82. The range provided is just one component of total compensation including a comprehensive benefit package of affordable medical plans, employer paid dental, vision and long-term disability, 401(K) with employer contribution, flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent, paid time off, 11 paid holidays, and eligibility for biweekly incentives. As a Mental Health Advocate in the ACT Program, you will be responsible for the following: Work with the team to deliver advocacy, case management, medical and psychosocial services to ACT consumers. Gather and integrate information from all available sources to complete all assessments, treatment plans and periodic reviews. Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to assess and articulate the motivation of consumers to address specific needs identified during the assessment process. Assist consumers in determining their eligibility for entitlements, community services and supports. Co-facilitate or co-lead group sessions and meetings. Facilitate psycho-educational activities with ACT participants and their families using the Illness Management and Recovery Toolkit and/or other evidence-based curricula. Provide activities to enhance consumer social skills. Provide face-to-face interventions, based on consumer needs. Conduct community outreach and home visits, with all consumers, rotating at least once monthly. Reassess service needs and preferences every 90 days or as needed. Coordinate the client’s primary and other health care providers to assure continuity of care. Facilitate opportunities for community inclusion and social engagement based on the consumers individual needs and preferences. Facilitate community activities with ACT participants. Coordinate admission and discharge planning and follow-up with all psychiatric hospital admissions. Conduct crisis and safety planning with the consumers, their guardians, families and other natural supports. Rotate on-call responsibilities for crisis calls and pre-admission reviews for psychiatric hospitalization. Monitor medication adherence of consumers. Actively participate in daily ACT team meetings. Submit monthly reports to the ACT supervisor. Perform within acceptable standards of productivity

Requirements

Candidate will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited human services program in social work, psychology or counseling.
Candidates must obtain the Qualified Mental Health Professional credential within 120 days of hire.
Candidates must possess a CADC or CAADC credential, or be on an active, approved registered McBAP certification Development Plan within six weeks of hire. Upon hire, the application must be submitted for the Development Plan to MCBAP, with or without the required trainings, within 30 days of hire, or they will not be permitted to provide services. Documentation of required trainings must be submitted with the Development Plan Application or within 90 days of hire.
Must have one year of experience (may include time spent in field work or internship) treating or working with people who have been diagnosed with mental illness.
Must obtain, within 30 days and retain a valid Michigan Chauffeur's License and have a good driving record.
Must have the ability to engage adult mental health consumers, their families and support systems.
Must have the ability to appropriately handle crisis situations.
Must have an orientation toward providing community outreach services and navigating the network of services available at the agency and in the community.
Additional requirements include a non-judgmental approach that reflects cultural competence and sensitivity to the unique needs and diverse experiences of adults with mental illness, their families and providers. Candidates must be able to work independently, demonstrate effective organizational, verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

Work with the team to deliver advocacy, case management, medical and psychosocial services to ACT consumers.
Gather and integrate information from all available sources to complete all assessments, treatment plans and periodic reviews.
Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to assess and articulate the motivation of consumers to address specific needs identified during the assessment process.
Assist consumers in determining their eligibility for entitlements, community services and supports.
Co-facilitate or co-lead group sessions and meetings.
Facilitate psycho-educational activities with ACT participants and their families using the Illness Management and Recovery Toolkit and/or other evidence-based curricula.
Provide activities to enhance consumer social skills.
Provide face-to-face interventions, based on consumer needs.
Conduct community outreach and home visits, with all consumers, rotating at least once monthly.
Reassess service needs and preferences every 90 days or as needed.
Coordinate the client’s primary and other health care providers to assure continuity of care.
Facilitate opportunities for community inclusion and social engagement based on the consumers individual needs and preferences.
Facilitate community activities with ACT participants.
Coordinate admission and discharge planning and follow-up with all psychiatric hospital admissions.
Conduct crisis and safety planning with the consumers, their guardians, families and other natural supports.
Rotate on-call responsibilities for crisis calls and pre-admission reviews for psychiatric hospitalization.
Monitor medication adherence of consumers.
Actively participate in daily ACT team meetings.
Submit monthly reports to the ACT supervisor.
Perform within acceptable standards of productivity