Behavioral Health Case Manager

San Ysidro Health•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the BH Case Manager Supervisor, the Behavioral Health Case Manager provides direct services and coordinates care for behavioral health patients, particularly those with complex needs. The role helps patients access the care and referral services needed to achieve and maintain optimal functioning and provides case management to patients engaged in or referred to Behavioral Health Services. The Case Manager participates in staff and treatment team meetings, conducts presentations, and engages patients while communicating with external agencies. The position works with patients, families, caregivers, health care team members, internal departments, and community agencies to assess needs, coordinate referrals and services, address barriers to care, and support informed treatment decisions. The Case Manager maintains accurate documentation and reports, supports quality assurance and program objectives, and follows departmental and health center policies and standards. The role works in a general office environment and may require local travel around San Diego County for meetings, trainings, patient engagement, and coverage; reliable transportation is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in psychology, social work, or a related field, or a high school diploma with at least two years of behavioral health case management experience.
One year of experience providing case management services to a wide range of patient populations, including adults, youth, and families.
Bilingual Spanish/English proficiency is required.
Excellent customer service, communication, and documentation skills.
Ability to work cooperatively with other departments in a large community health center and satellite clinics and work effectively in a multidisciplinary setting.
Computer literacy, including proficiency with word processing software, Microsoft Office, and Excel spreadsheets.
Experience or proficiency with electronic medical records software.
Reliable transportation for local travel around San Diego County when required.
Ability to sit for prolonged periods and occasionally stand, walk, lift, push, or pull up to 10 pounds.

Responsibilities

Provide case management, referral support, warm handoffs, and psycho-educational groups to patients.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients’ health and psychosocial needs, including health literacy status and deficits, and develop case management plans in collaboration with patients, families, and department staff.
Orient patients to the behavioral health department and available services to begin developing a therapeutic alliance.
Identify and support patients and families who are eligible for and need case management services.
Coordinate patient care with behavioral health providers, primary care physicians, and/or psychiatrists through consultation, collaboration, follow-up, and recommendations.
Collaborate with other health center departments to facilitate and monitor referral requests and processes and support timely receipt of services.
Help patients and families access resources and overcome barriers to care.
Manage internal and external referrals to the behavioral health department, including follow-up calls, letters, and communication with referring staff.
Educate patients, families, caregivers, and health care delivery team members about treatment options, community resources, insurance benefits, psychosocial concerns, and case management.
Represent San Ysidro Health and the Behavioral Health Department in the community and maintain partnerships with other programs to improve referral outcomes and quality of care.
Maintain timely, complete, and accurate records, including detailed assessments, action plans, and progress notes; document plans discussed with patients, families, clinicians, and primary care providers in the electronic health record.
Assist in preparing monthly narrative and statistical reports on progress toward process objectives and as required by department and organizational leadership.
Engage patients and collaborate with community agencies to identify people eligible for behavioral health services and facilitate referrals.
Maintain patient-visit productivity in accordance with clinic or program guidelines.
Comply with departmental and health center policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance programs, and safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
Attend required meetings, trainings, and community events and participate on committees as directed.
Assist with monitoring quality assurance and evaluation processes to support contract compliance and achievement of patient and family outcome and process objectives.
Complete and submit required data entry and reports in a timely manner.
Support professional growth through educational programs, case conferences, treatment team presentations, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
Perform other related activities as required, assigned, or requested.