Psychiatric Case Manager (NY HELPS) - FT - Night Shift

ECMC•Buffalo, NY

About The Position

The Psychiatric Case Manager performs skilled care tasks for inpatient or outpatient behavioral health patients at Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC). As part of a multidisciplinary team, the incumbent supports care and treatment for patients experiencing psychological and/or chemical dependence problems. Depending on program needs, the position may be assigned to an inpatient unit or outpatient clinic to carry out program activities, provide direct therapy services, or deliver crisis intervention and counseling. Clinical work is under the direct supervision of a licensed Psychologist or higher-ranking licensed Social Worker. Depending on the assignment, non-clinical work may be under the general supervision of a professional nursing supervisor. The position does not supervise other staff and performs related work as required. The role conducts behavioral health assessments and develops treatment plans; provides individual, group, and family counseling; contributes to intake, treatment planning, crisis response, discharge planning, and coordination with community resources; and observes and documents patients’ status and treatment responses. It also contributes to program activities, transfers between levels of treatment, quality assurance and peer review, and staff orientation and development. The minimum education requirement is a master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a substantially equivalent field as determined by the New York State Education Department. At appointment, candidates must hold and maintain the required New York State LMSW or Mental Health Counselor license and registration, or the applicable limited permit and obtain full licensure within the specified period. BLS certification from an ECMCC-approved provider is required within 60 days of appointment and must be maintained. For inpatient assignments, completion of an OMH-BEWD-certified safety program within three months and annual retraining are required. The position is offered through NY HELPS, under which eligible appointments may initially be non-competitive without an examination.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a substantially equivalent degree as determined by the New York State Education Department.
At appointment, possession and maintenance throughout employment of a New York State license and current registration as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW); alternatively, an LMSW limited permit at appointment and licensure and registration within one year of appointment.
Alternatively, at appointment, possession and maintenance throughout employment of a New York State license and current registration as a Mental Health Counselor; or a Mental Health Counselor limited permit at appointment and licensure and registration within two years of appointment.
BLS certification from an ECMCC-approved provider within 60 days of appointment, maintained throughout employment.
For inpatient care assignments, completion of a New York State Office of Mental Health-Bureau of Education and Workforce Development (BEWD) certified safety program within three months of appointment and participation in annual retraining.
Thorough knowledge of behavioral health treatment principles, practices, and procedures, including factors affecting disease and disability.
Good knowledge of psychiatric concepts and treatment techniques and of community resources for people with challenging mental health behaviors.
Working knowledge of interviewing, assessment, and counseling techniques for people with challenging mental health behaviors.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, develop effective treatment plans, and manage crisis situations.
Ability to establish effective working relationships, interpret applicable Federal, State, and local laws, organize work, work as a team member, and prepare reports.
Initiative, dependability, sound professional judgment, and tact; ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Degrees must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign degrees require independent equivalency verification.
Applicants must sign the required clearance form for inquiry into the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment; refusal results in automatic non-selection.

Responsibilities

Perform behavioral health assessments and develop treatment plans using established methodologies.
Serve as a primary counselor to individuals, groups, and families.
Participate as a team member in treatment planning.
Participate in intake and screening of new patients.
Collect and maintain information from professional staff, patients’ families, and other sources to help address patients’ mental and social problems.
Provide psychosocial histories for patients.
Provide counseling to help patients adjust to disabilities and their social environment.
Provide individual treatment and crisis intervention under clinical supervision.
Support and guide patients’ families to help accomplish treatment goals.
Observe and record patients’ behavioral and psychiatric status, activities, treatment responses, and overall physical, behavioral, and mental health condition; report findings to the team.
Modify treatment plans as needed.
Coordinate with treatment teams and community agencies to connect treatment and rehabilitation with patients’ social situations before discharge.
Coordinate outpatient services with appropriate community resources.
Coordinate discharge planning for assigned patients.
Participate in developing and implementing daily program activities.
Participate in transferring patients to other levels of treatment as appropriate.
Refer clients to governmental and non-governmental agencies.
Contribute to team quality assurance and peer review of treatment.
Assist with new staff orientation, staff development programs, and in-service training.
Perform related work as required.