JOB SUMMARY

This is a full-time case management position with the Mental Health unit of Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. This employee will answer calls from the community related to eligibility for adult case management services and children's case management requests as well as refer individuals to appropriate services and conduct intakes for adults referred for case management services. This employee conducts intake assessments, determines consumer needs and eligibility for Mental Health services, and develops service plans to help meet the identified needs. This position may be assigned a small caseload to manage based on agency needs. This employee shares the duties with other unit staff of screening intake calls and scheduling appointments for the adult intake staff. This employee has an understanding of both adult and children's mental health case management eligibility criteria. The employee exercises considerable independent judgement and decision making in facilitating the individual's use of community resources.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports directly to their assigned supervisor. Work is reviewed by the assigned supervisor through regularly scheduled supervisions. Work is also reveiwed through observations both within the office and in the field, as well as reviewing of records, provider or consumer contacts and others as identified by the supervisor as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Schedules and conducts intake interviews, needs assessments and needs analysis to gather information concerning the consumer and presents information for clinical and utilization review.

2. Completes referral forms and authorizations for services plus any other supportive paperwork as needed in directing consumer to the appropriate level of service.

3. Screens all calls/requests for Intake appointments for transitional age youth and adults. Provide callers with resources to other community resources if Screener determines an intake is not necessary.

4. Schedules intake interviews for adult intake staff using Outlook Express.

5. Receives calls for children's intake appointments and makes the necessary referral to the children's intake staff.

6. Conducts intake interviews, needs’ assessments and needs analysis to gather information concerning the consumer and presents information for clinical and utilization review

7. Completes referral forms and authorizations for services plus any other supportive paperwork as needed in directing consumer to the appropriate level of service.

8. Develops and sustains supportive, helping relationships of the consumer, family members, and provider agencies.

9. Monitors consumer progress within the service and keeps providers informed.

10. Continually updates knowledge of both formal and informal resources offered in the community to better serve the consumer.

11. Establish and maintain collaborative relationship with County’s Managed Care partner.

12. Advocates on behalf of the consumer.

13. Completes numerous paperwork demands accurately and in a timely manner.

14. Coordinates goal oriented service plans in cooperation with the consumers.

15. Develops and maintains accurate consumer records and case files; writes reports plus prepares complete summaries and social histories.

16. Determine whether to schedule financial liability assessments or to complete financial waivers depending on the service needs of the consumer.

17. Participates in staff meetings and training sessions.

18. Coordinates and attends interagency treatment planning meetings.

19. Routinely provides own transportation to and from consumer’s home, meetings, outreach visits, and other job-

related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

All other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee

or

Successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program

or

A bachelor's degree with a social welfare major

or

A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, Human Services or other related social sciences and one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.

Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources and the recognition of their impact on the growth and development of people.

Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional, or health problems.

Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.

Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as they relate to agency function and purpose and societal structures.

Ability to work effectively with people and aid them to grow in the constructive use of their potential in adjusting to their specific problems.

Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with adults and children who are physically challenged, emotionally troubled, or economically disadvantaged.

Ability to conduct individual and family interviews and to use them to identify individual and family problems.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, other staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the general public.

Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.

Ability to adequately express ideas orally and in writing.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Must pass pre-employment drug screen test
• Must have acceptable background check that includes:

FBI Clearances

PA State Police Criminal History

ChildLine Clearances

All clearances are required prior to the start of employment and may not be more than one year old at the time of employment.

• A Valid Driver’s license and acceptable driving history in accordance with County policy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 
  Must be able to work in a busy and open environment.
• Must be able to routinely provide own transportation to and from consumer's homes, meetings, outreach visits and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.
• This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B. Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B are provided.