General Description

Under the direction of the Director of Mental Health Services and within federal, state, and local guidelines performs highly advanced case management, skills training, psychosocial rehabilitation, and continuity of care work. The Case Manager Support Specialist is responsible for coordinating and managing the care of individuals served by Adult and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. This role integrates responsibilities of care coordination and case management, ensuring individuals receive holistic and trauma-informed care. The Case Manager Support Specialist works closely with clients, their families, and a variety of service providers, including internal and external teams, to ensure comprehensive care. The position requires adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and/or guidelines of HHSC and DCMHMR. Other specific laws, regulations, policies, procedures and/or guidelines which must be followed include the Texas Administrative Code and Case Management Guidelines.

Individuals will be identified as needing case management support services by monitoring key indicators of high acuity, such as frequent hospitalization, frequent criminal justice involvement, frequent utilization of crisis response services, history of low engagement with mental health services, and frequent visits to local emergency rooms. This position will work with the assigned case manager in levels of care 1-3 to provide additional support for individuals with a goal of increasing engagement of mental health services, decreasing high utilization of crisis services and inpatient hospitalization, and collaboratively working with the individual to meet recovery plan goals while fostering independence. Case management support services are meant to be short term with a focus on engagement in outpatient services provided by other Center staff.

Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Education, Training, and Experience

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in the human services field as required to qualify as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)
  • Master's Degree in a human services field preferred.
• Previous mental health crisis experience preferred.
• English/Spanish bilingual preferred.
• Experience: Six (6) months prior experience in a mental health field preferred.

Registration, Certification, Licensure, and Other Qualifications

• Must have and maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifying offenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.

• Individuals with an out-of-state driver's license must be able to obtain a driver's license in the state of Texas within thirty (30) days.
• Successful completion of all position-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of case management, mental health, and substance use disorders, including diagnostic criteria, crisis intervention, and treatment modalities.
• Ability to assess client needs, develop and update recovery plans, and provide appropriate referrals.
• Knowledge of community resources and service delivery systems.
• Strong communication skills, including active listening, empathy, and the ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently, make decisions based on clinical judgment, and collaborate effectively with a team.
• Demonstrated understanding and practice of trauma-informed care principles.
• Ability to navigate electronic health record systems and complete documentation in a timely manner.
• Ability to work with and show empathy towards clients who may display symptoms of mental illness to include poor hygiene, difficulty controlling anger and low frustration tolerance, difficulty or inability to display appropriate social behavior, and who are suicidal or homicidal.
• Ability to practice concurrent documentation for all appointments with individuals served.

• Ability to display regular and reliable (in-person, if required) attendance.

Essential Duties

The following list outlines key responsibilities for the position; however, it is not exhaustive and does not encompass all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

1. Monitors key indications of high acuity to assist in identification of individuals served who could benefit from Case Management Support Specialist services.

o Key indicators may include but are not limited to:

1. Frequent emergency room visits or hospitalization
2. Repeated crisis or emergency service calls
3. Chronic homelessness or repeated evictions
4. Co-occurring disorders
5. History of low engagement in mental health services
6. Collaborates with the multidisciplinary treatment team to ensure a cohesive and consistent recovery-oriented approach.

o Utilizes the Center's electronic health record and external medical records to create a timeline of care for individuals served.

o Coordinates and leads case review meetings as needed to identify additional support that may aid the individual in reaching recovery plan goals.

1. Track outcomes and service utilization for individuals served.

o Utilizes the Centers utilization management department and available reports in the electronic health record to identify and track utilization for services such as hospitalizations, crisis response, law enforcement involvement, etc.

1. The Case Management Support Specialist will work with Center leadership and staff to identify individuals served who demonstrate a need for additional support services and extensive follow up. Individuals may require:

o More frequent visits from Center staff, including the case management support specialist.

o Assistance with completing applications for various social service resources

o Frequent intervention regarding de-escalation techniques

1. Once identified, the case management support specialist will provide additional support for individuals served by providing the following services to include but not limited to:

o Care coordination

o TRR updates

o Recovery plan updates

o Aftercare appointments

o Case management

o Psychosocial rehabilitation

o Skills training

o Crisis intervention

1. Complete appointments at locations identified as accessible for the individual served to include:

o Center offices

o Private residences

o Hospitals

o Jails

o Local homeless shelters

o Other community locations

o Via telehealth platform

1. Performs intake and aftercare appointments both in the community and at Center locations as needed.
2. Assists with walk-in appointments as needed/available.

o Monitors the appropriate Center communication platform to ensure individuals do not have unnecessary wait times when there are appropriate available staff to meet their needs.

o Assists Center Case managers with TRR updates, recovery plan updates, and other necessary updates.

o Performs home visits or other good faith effort measures to locate and engage individuals demonstrating a lack of involvement in Center services.

o Assists with care coordination needs of individuals served in MH services levels of care 1-3.

1. Participates in the Center's Zero Suicide Initiative.

o Supports individuals experiencing a crisis by promptly connecting them with appropriate Center programs, such as the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Psychiatric Triage, Crisis Prevention services, and/or other applicable resources. Ensure seamless coordination to facilitate timely intervention.

o Remains with individuals, when deemed safe, to provide support and maintain a calm environment until specialized crisis staff or emergency personnel arrive to take over intervention efforts. Adheres to safety protocols to prevent escalation of the crisis situation.

o Participates in debriefing sessions with the immediate supervisor or designated staff following a crisis event.

Full Time: Non-Exempt

Work Model: In-Person

Monday through Friday: 8am-5pm

Pay Range: $21/hr.

Full-time employees are eligible for full medical, dental and vision benefits. Part time employees are eligible for full medical and dental benefits. Incentives are available if employee chooses to participate in Center's Wellness Program.

• Base Plan and Buy Up Plans offered through Imagine360.
  • The Center covers 100% of cost of the base plan if electing employee coverage only.
• Internal & External Employee Assistance Programs.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual starts at date of hire.
  • Full-time employees earn up to 120 hours of PTO during first year of employment.
    • Part-time employees earn up to 60 hours of PTO during first year of employment.
  • PTO increases with tenure level.
  • The Center gives 5 personal days to full-time employees and 1 personal day to part-time employees to use at their discretion.
• Full time employees are enrolled into 401a retirement plan at 90 days of service.
  • The Center contributes 3% of earnings at 90 days of service.
  • The Center contributes 5% of earnings at 2 years of service.
• Additional, 403b and 457 retirement plans available.
  
• Full time employees have access to Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
  • Medical FSA
  • Dependent FSA
• The Center offers and covers 100% the following to full-time employees:
  • Short Term and Long Term Disability
  • Basic Life & Accidental Death Coverage
  • Basic Life Spouse Coverage
• The Center offers and covers 100% the following to part-time employees:
  • Short-Term Disability

Denton County MHMR Center is an approved NHSC (CMHC) and Pediatric Specialty with HRSA and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) site.