Behavioral Health Care Manager, Child or Adolescent, LTSS

Centene Corporation•Austin, TX

8d•$27 - $49•Hybrid

About The Position

Develops, assesses, and coordinates holistic care management activities, primarily supporting youth with significant mental and behavioral health needs to enable quality, cost-effective healthcare outcomes. Evaluates member service needs; develops or contributes to care plans and service plans; and educates members, families, and caregivers about services and benefits available to meet member needs. The role includes in-person engagement and assessments with child and adolescent members across the Central Austin, South Austin, Southeast Austin, or Northwest Austin, Texas service areas. Local travel and frequent home or other site visits—once a month or more, as required—are expected, with mileage reimbursed. Candidates may work from home to coordinate behavioral healthcare services. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, with flexibility to accommodate members’ school schedules when needed. The manager evaluates complex, high-risk members with mental or behavioral health needs; advocates for members and coordinates with families, physicians, facilities, agencies, and community resources; and helps arrange accessible services and referrals. The position also provides education and operational support related to behavioral health, maintains accurate care management documentation, supports compliance with clinical and government guidelines, and provides leadership with feedback on ways to improve quality and cost-effective service delivery.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Mental Health or Social Work, or graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
2–4 years of related behavioral health or mental health experience.
Unrestricted licensed behavioral health professional credential or RN license with direct behavioral health experience, as required by applicable state contract, at the time of application submission.
Ability to travel locally for in-person member engagement and visits.
Strong clinical documentation, problem-solving, communication, attention to detail, organizational, and time-management skills.
Ability to adapt to changing business needs with openness, flexibility, and professionalism.
Proficiency with technology and direct experience using Microsoft Office Suite and video conferencing applications.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

5+ years of behavioral health case management experience with child and adolescent members, preferably in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, community counseling programs, schools or colleges/universities, residential treatment centers, or local or state LIDDAs or MHAs.
Direct experience as a field-based case manager or social worker.
Experience collaborating with medical and behavioral health providers and managing community resources for Medicaid recipients.
Experience managing high-volume caseloads.
Experience with government and state-sponsored programs such as STAR Kids, CHIP, Medicaid, or MDCP.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Evaluate the needs of complex and high-risk members with mental or behavioral health needs and recommend a plan of care.
Act as a liaison and member advocate among members and families, physicians, facilities, and agencies.
Support members with mental or behavioral health needs, including conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, PTSD, substance use disorder, self-injurious behavior, and psychiatric inpatient admissions.
Conduct frequent home or other site visits, once a month or more as required, to assess member needs and collaborate with resources.
Provide or facilitate education for long-term care members and their families or caregivers about preventive care, procedures, provider instructions, treatment options, referrals, medication regimens, and healthcare benefits.
Provide subject matter expertise and operational support for behavioral health activities, including crisis calls, mental health first aid training, field safety and de-escalation practices, and medication monitoring.
Educate members about and coordinate medical, behavioral, and social community resources.
Coordinate service authorizations based on assessments and service plans, including services such as meals, employment, housing, foster care, transportation, and activities of daily living.
Make appropriate referrals based on individual member needs and support identification of providers, specialists, and community resources; ensure services are accessible.
Maintain accurate documentation in the electronic care management system and support the integrity of care management activities.
Help ensure compliance with clinical guidelines and current state and federal guidelines.
Provide leadership with feedback on opportunities to improve quality of care and service delivery for long-term care members cost-effectively.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all policies and standards.
Travel locally for member visits.