Clinical Case Manager - SAGE

DESC•Seattle, WA

5d•$39 - $43

About The Position

The Clinical Case Manager works in DESC’s SAGE (Support, Advocacy, Growth and Employment) comprehensive outpatient mental health program, serving adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. SAGE provides long-term case management using a recovery model, helping consumers obtain and maintain housing, improve clinical and social stability, and increase independence and self-sufficiency. As part of a multidisciplinary team, the role provides ongoing case management, outreach and engagement, psychosocial assessment, goal planning, referrals and coordination of psychiatric and substance use treatment, crisis support, and access to essential resources. The case manager also supports housing retention and healthy living conditions, coordinates with housing staff and community providers, documents services, and may serve as a protective payee for some consumers. The position is scheduled for an office day shift, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with Saturdays and Sundays off.

Requirements

Ability to meet Washington Department of Health requirements for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) or a superseding credential.
Relevant bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related behavioral science, or a combination of one year of relevant paid work experience and demonstrated ability to perform the job duties.
Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle for agency business; a current Washington State driver’s license and insurable driving record are required.
Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health or substance use disorder programs.
Knowledge of recovery-focused, strengths-based mental health work.
Knowledge of harm reduction strategies.
Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
Commitment to cooperation and continuity across programs and consideration and respect for consumers.

Nice To Haves

Eligibility for a Licensed AAC credential or a superseding credential meeting RCW 71.05.020 requirements to act as a Mental Health Professional with scope of practice that includes independently conducting mental health assessments and making mental health diagnoses.
Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or another relevant behavioral science.
Bilingual Spanish and English skills.
Bicultural background or experience and/or Qualified Minority Mental Health Specialist designation.

Responsibilities

Provide ongoing case management to adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses as part of a multidisciplinary, multi-departmental team.
Collaborate with DESC’s Scattered Sites Supportive Housing team on client care and housing retention plans.
Conduct outreach and engagement to connect with assigned clients and maintain working relationships.
Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop goal planners with consumer participation; facilitate connections to collaborative resources.
Coordinate consumers’ support and goal planners, including psychiatric treatment, substance abuse treatment, 24-hour support services, and acute case management to access food, clothing, housing, medical care, financial assistance, vocational training, or employment.
Advocate for consumers’ access to community services and resources, protect their rights, and collaborate with community providers to support continuity of care.
Travel locally to conduct outreach and home visits; assist with home inspections and annual recertifications; identify and report maintenance concerns and housing retention barriers.
Provide crisis intervention and risk assessment, and tolerate unusual or unpleasant behavior.
Provide counseling when qualified.
Serve as a protective payee for some consumers on behalf of the agency, including creating monthly budgets with consumers, distributing funds, and assisting with purchases.
Build and maintain professional relationships with landlords and property managers, supporting building rule enforcement and lease compliance as needed.
Document services and meet administrative deadlines.
Support clients in achieving and maintaining healthy living conditions, including attending care conferences, providing in-unit outreach and support, coordinating with housing staff, participating in unit cleanouts, and documenting barriers.
Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings, in-service trainings, clinical reviews, and case conferences.
Attend internal and external trainings related to landlord/tenant laws, housing vouchers, and other relevant topics.
Follow clinical accountability policies and procedures, maintain complete and current records, and participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned.
Follow applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.