Intensive Case Manager - SAGE

DESC•Seattle, WA

1d•$39 - $43•Onsite

About The Position

The SAGE Intensive Case Manager is physically based at DESC’s STAR Center and provides short-term behavioral health treatment and interventions to STAR Center guests. Guests typically stay for 90 days, though longer stays are possible. The role primarily serves STAR Center guests and works with the SAGE Program care team at DESC’s nearby Downtown Behavioral Health Clinic (DBHC). Daily operational supervision and support are provided by the on-site STAR Project Manager, with clinical supervision from a member of the DBHC SAGE Leadership team. Although based at the STAR Center, this role is not part of the building’s minimum staffing requirements. SAGE (Support, Advocacy, Growth and Employment) is DESC’s comprehensive outpatient mental health program, serving adults with severe and persistent mental illness. The STAR (Stability Through Access and Resources) Center is a time-limited, 24/7 behavioral health-focused non-congregate shelter program for unsheltered adults facing significant untreated or undertreated mental health and substance use challenges. The Center is located in downtown Seattle. The position coordinates clients’ support and goals, connects them to behavioral health and community services, and assists with crises, safety planning, transitions to other shelter or housing, and maintaining healthy living conditions. The case manager also collaborates with STAR Center and SAGE staff, community providers, landlords, and property managers; provides counseling and group support as qualified; completes clinical documentation; and may help with basic STAR Center operations when staffing is low. DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on people experiencing long-term homelessness and complex behavioral health or medical conditions. The position is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

Requirements

Meet Washington Department of Health requirements for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) or a superseding credential.
Have a 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 required duties.
Be able to drive an agency or personal vehicle for agency business; have a current Washington State driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
Have an interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health or substance use disorder programs.
Have knowledge of recovery-focused, strengths-based mental health work.
Have knowledge of harm-reduction strategies.
Be able to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant or bizarre behaviors.
Be able to communicate and work effectively with staff from varied backgrounds.
Subscribe to cooperation and continuity across programs and consideration and respect for consumers.
Be able to sit for long periods, communicate by talking and hearing, lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds, and operate computer hardware systems.
Have the vision abilities required for the job, including close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or another relevant behavioral science, or a Bachelor of Nursing degree with a mental health specialty.
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 to independently conduct mental health assessments and make diagnoses.
Experience using evidence-based clinical interventions designed for short-term treatment, such as solutions-focused therapy.
Bilingual Spanish and English, or proficient in ASL.
Bicultural background or experience, or Qualified Minority Mental Health Specialist designation.

Responsibilities

Coordinate all aspects of consumers’ support and goal plans, including psychiatric and substance use treatment referrals, 24-hour support services, and acute case management to help clients access food, clothing, housing, medical care, financial assistance, vocational training, or employment.
Connect guests to STAR Center wraparound services, including shelter case managers, peers, psychiatric providers, nursing, and occupational therapy; orient guests, develop shelter retention plans, facilitate live connections, identify needs, and address barriers to ongoing care.
Develop crisis and safety plans for SAGE clients at STAR Center in collaboration with STAR Center and SAGE staff.
Complete timely and accurate demographic and clinical updates, integrated service plans, clinical notes, and other documentation; meet administrative deadlines, follow clinical accountability policies, and participate in quality assurance reviews.
Provide crisis intervention and risk assessment, and prepare primary and supporting DCR affidavits when appropriate.
Facilitate guests’ transitions from STAR Center to other shelter or housing opportunities, including care coordination, transportation, care-team transitions, and referrals.
Adapt approaches to orienting, contacting, and treating guests, using creative problem-solving as needed.
Advocate for clients’ access to community resources and services, protect their rights, and collaborate with community providers to support continuity of care.
Provide or support therapeutic group facilitation in collaboration with STAR Center staff, SAGE staff, and other providers.
Provide individual counseling when qualified.
Use trauma-informed practice, including understanding unusual or unpleasant behavior in the context of DESC’s Core Values.
Support clients in achieving and maintaining healthy living conditions, including attending care conferences, providing outreach and in-unit support, coordinating with shelter staff, participating in unit cleanouts, and documenting barriers.
Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings, in-service training, clinical reviews, and case conferences.
Travel locally to conduct outreach and home visits; assist with home inspections and annual recertifications; report maintenance concerns and housing-retention barriers.
Build and maintain professional relationships with landlords and property managers, and assist with building-rule enforcement and lease compliance as needed.
Serve as protective payee for some consumers, including creating monthly budgets, distributing funds, assisting with purchases, and maintaining accurate records.
Support basic STAR Center operations during low staffing or exigent or unplanned circumstances, including monitoring ingress and egress, staffing the front desk, serving meals, and responding to emergencies.
Follow applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
Attend internal and external training relevant to the position or professional development goals.
Perform other duties as assigned.