SMI Case Manager EMPACT

La Frontera Center•Apache Junction, AZ

About The Position

EMPACT- Suicide Prevention Center, part of the La Frontera family, is a nonprofit organization providing community services and resources for behavioral health counseling, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. The SMI Case Manager is a member of the clinical team who completes assessments and service plans, implements services for consumers identified as Severely Mentally Ill in accordance with their individualized service plans (ISPs), and communicates and documents progress toward recovery. The Case Manager coordinates care with consumers, families, providers, community resources, and other supports; helps consumers access covered services and resources for basic needs; conducts outreach and follow-up; and maintains comprehensive clinical records. The role also includes evaluating treatment effectiveness, updating service plans as needed, supporting quality management activities, and adhering to agency policies and standards of care. The work is indoors and community-based. Candidates must be at least 21 years old at time of employment and have a fingerprint clearance card.

Requirements

Meet BHT requirements through one of the following: a bachelor’s degree or higher and one year of behavioral health experience; an associate’s degree and two years of behavioral health experience; or a high school diploma and four years of behavioral health experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Ability to be flexible with workload and availability.
Strong internal and external customer service skills.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, maintain professional boundaries, and maintain strict confidentiality.
Strong clinical and therapeutic skills, with the ability to document events accurately and maintain detailed client records.
Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to remain calm in crisis situations, work independently and cooperatively, recognize personal limitations, and relate positively and empathetically to people regardless of age, race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation.
Professional demeanor and ability to maintain positive working relationships with team members, stakeholders, and community and business partners.
Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office.
Valid Arizona driver’s license with no major infractions in the past 39 months.
Regular access to reliable transportation.
At least 21 years old at time of employment.
Fingerprint clearance card required for employment.
When driving on agency time or business, valid Arizona driver’s license, appropriate liability insurance, and approval for liability coverage with EMPACT-SPC’s liability insurance carrier are required.
At time of hire, a three-year state driving record with no major infractions or excessive driving violations/tickets is required.
Ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times and to perform the stated physical activities, including standing, sitting, talking, hearing, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and operating a computer, telephone, and keyboard.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak Spanish; bilingual differential may be available.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the clinical team and coordinate care with consumers, families, behavioral health, medical and dental providers, community resources, and other involved parties.
Assist in maintaining, monitoring, and modifying covered behavioral and medical health services.
Provide brief telephone or face-to-face interactions to maintain or enhance a person's functioning.
Help consumers find resources beyond covered services to meet basic needs.
Serve as a point of contact for ongoing collaboration and appropriate clinical information sharing with involved parties and supports.
Ensure covered services identified in service plans are provided; make community referrals and coordinate continuity of care across levels, providers, services, and supports.
Conduct outreach and follow up on services, including integrated care, crisis services, and missed appointments.
Provide transportation to consumers when appropriate and determined by the clinical team.
Complete case management functions for assigned caseloads, including assessments, service planning, and identifying needs for further or specialty evaluations.
Sign off on service plans and annual updates for people on the Case Manager’s own caseload when applicable.
Work with consumers and their families or significant others to implement effective service plans and explain clinical options, including advantages and disadvantages.
Maintain comprehensive clinical records and document assessments, services, care coordination, and discharge planning.
Continuously evaluate treatment effectiveness using ongoing assessment and input from consumers and relevant others, modifying service plans as needed.
Adhere to agency policies, procedures, and standards of care for service delivery.
Assist with Quality Management, Quality Assurance, and Utilization Review.
Perform additional related duties as assigned by the Director.
Maintain professional and ethical conduct, confidentiality, appropriate boundaries, and positive working relationships.
Remain calm in crisis situations and work independently and cooperatively with empathy toward people of all backgrounds.