SUMMARY
This position is a full-time non-exempt position where the essential job duties and responsibilities are to locate, coordinate and monitor services for consumers and their families, to include incident management, service linkage, crisis intervention and consumer advocacy. The tasks are carried out within the principles and philosophy of Self-Determination, Positive Approaches, Lifecourse Framework, and Everyday Lives. Tasks are also carried out with a person-centered, strengths-based approach and with a wellness focus. Works as an interdisciplinary team member. Completes and maintains all records and other relevant paperwork accurately and promptly. Adheres to the philosophies of WCSI as it applies to Quality Assurance.
This position will manage a caseload focused on individuals with dual diagnosis needs which include but are not limited to; Intellectual Disability and/or Autism in conjunction with a behavioral health diagnosis. Individuals targeted for this caseload may be open with or have had supports/services with Westmoreland County’s Dual Diagnosis Treatment Team (DDTT), has experienced frequent interactions with crisis services and/or hospitalizations, at risk of losing current community housing and or/supports, or may require step down/transitional services back to the community from a higher level of care. Unique characteristics of this position require completion of; ODP Dual Diagnosis Training with Certification and SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) Training Certification to support Children and Adults. SOAR will be implemented for individuals open to the SCO who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness.
This position will undergo performance evaluation at the 3 month mark, and 6 month mark. Thereafter the employee will be evaluated as per WCSI’s performance evaluation process.
Primary work hours will be Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a 1/2 hour lunch (37.5 hrs/week) unless otherwise agreed upon.
Compliance:
As with all WCSI positions, it is the expectation that employees adhere to WCSI, County, State and Federal guidelines, regulation, policies, and laws which govern the business and service of WCSI.
This position requires the employee to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in an unstructured work environment. Increased monitoring requirements are likely in this role due to the high level of support needed for these individuals. This position will require a heighted ability to prioritize daily tasks as most of the support provided to individuals will be of an urgent need.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following with other duties assigned as deemed necessary by management.
Assessment:
Assess consumer needs utilizing assessment tools such as Prioritization of Urgency of Needs for Services, Personal Plan Information, and Adaptive Behavior Assessment Scales, consumer and/or collateral interview, and review of educational, clinical, and social information. Needs assessment will consider current and historical information. This position will require assertive outreach, continuous team collaboration, and networking to build individuals’ support system.
Individual Support Plan:
Develops, prepares, and implements a comprehensive Individual Support Plan which includes outcomes based on consumer needs and desires, provider and team input. Outcomes are strength oriented and all services are linked to an outcome.
Regulations:
Adhere with Targeted Service Management regulations. A current comprehensive plan must be completed and updated at least annually. Adhere to Waiver Regulations to include the Individual Support Plan and Monitoring Requirements.
Locating, Coordinating, and Monitoring:
Responsibilities include assessing needs, making necessary referrals for services and for community/generic resources, and monitoring the provision of services and the overall health, safety,
and satisfaction of the individuals whom they serve. Problem solving techniques are utilized as well. Required to make referrals for Behavioral Health Services, work with treatment team on options to divert hospitalizations, enhance service support systems for individuals that may include local providers, law enforcement/legal system, psychiatric/medical hospital systems, and other treatment facility systems. This position will serve as an active participant in DDTT treatment team meetings, facility transition meetings, and multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT). Increased monitoring requirements may be necessary to ensure proper support to these individuals.
Home and Community Service Information System (HCSIS):
Possess the necessary computer skills in order to successfully navigate the web-based system. Responsible for developing the Individual Support Plan including outcome development. Responsible for completing critical revisions and budget information. Complete necessary monitoring requirements per regulations and enter the monitoring information into HCSIS. Document in HCSIS case note format all case activity for a particular individual. Complete and update demographic information for each individual. Responsible for Incident Management which includes recognizing an incident, ensuring health and safety of the individual, completing necessary reports in HCSIS, and monitoring the follow through surrounding a particular incident.
Advocacy:
Advocates for the consumer to ensure responsiveness from natural, community, generic, and specialized services. Advocacy includes providing information, removing barriers, and creating options for resolving problems. This position will advocate for services and supports that increase the individual’s meaningful life activities, reduce the need for county crisis services, and reduce hospitalizations. If a SOAR participant this position will mediate between the individual and the SSI/SSDI system for proper application to the state system. High degree of communication (written and verbal) to ensure clear collaboration between all services systems is essential in this role.
Documentation:
Maintain records and document contacts with consumers. Maintains documentation for compliance and regulations. Completes Waiver Packet when funding is identified and also maintains re-certification documentation annually. Completes paperwork and other program related material in an efficient manner. Consistently maintain service provisions in accordance with the department standard, as established by WCSI.
Professional/Technical Responsibilities:
Extensive knowledge of theories, principles, and techniques related to service obtained by attending necessary training and accessing current information in the field. Possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, associates, and agency personnel. Possess knowledge of community resources and have an ability to facilitate meetings and professionally represent the agency. Also acting as a liaison to other service systems. Within the first month of hire, this position must complete and pass the ODP Dual Diagnosis Certification Training and the SOAR training to support children and adults.
Other Duties
This position may be required to perform other duties, as may be assigned by the Program Manager, SC Supervisors or management staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability
required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or other related field with minimum two (2) years’ experience as a Supports Coordinator/Casemanager preferred, which includes one (1) year as a Supports Coordinator/Casemanager with Westmoreland Casemanagement and Supports, Inc. (WCSI). Work experience in the Behavioral Health field with a minimum of two (2) years also preferred.
Language Skills:
Strong Interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communications skills. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and documentation.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Valid PA Driver’s License, Proof of Valid Auto Insurance, Act 34 (Criminal Record), and Act 33 (Child Abuse) and FBI Clearance. There will be monthly screenings of PA Medicheck List, LEIE (List of Excluded Individuals/Entities) and SAM (System for Award Management).
Other:
This position requires the availability and utilization of the employee’s personal vehicle, for purposes of transportation to and from work appointments. Transportation of clients in personal vehicles is not permitted, as agency vehicles are available for this purpose.
As a requirement of employment, certain personal information (Birth Date, Driver’s License, Diplomas, Transcripts, etc.) can be shared in a confidential communication as related to regulations, licensure and/or insurance carrier contracts.
As with all WCSI positions, this position will adhere to all random drug screening requirements, as set forth by WCSI Policy.
ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL and MENTAL CONDITIONS
Physical/Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to operate a motor vehicle, sit, stand, walk, bend and lift objects of up to 10 pounds. The employee regularly uses a computer, phone, fax, copier, and other essential office equipment to carry out daily work assignments.
Substantial problem solving in response to urgent/emergency situations, which may require immediate action. Ability to apply principles of leadership and management in daily practice.
Work Environment:
The services of this job are community based. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a combination of office and outside/travel conditions and regularly exposed to moderate levels of noise. Exposure to outside weather conditions will exist. The work environment for this position requires the employee to have the skills and ability to perform their daily job duties and responsibilities in an unstructured work environment.
Position Funding:
This position’s funding is determined by WCSI’s allocation process. Incumbent in this position may be required to complete a WCSI Time Study, frequency determined by Fiscal Management, for purposes of this allocation process.
Other Qualifications:
Due to the nature of this position, the incumbent must have strong time management skills, computer skills, and organizational skills. The incumbent must be highly flexible to meet the needs of the department and the consumers. The incumbent must present the ability to work independently, with minimal supervision. The incumbent must demonstrate the skills to complete all supports coordination services with any consumers/families assigned to the incumbent, for the prescribed period of time of the assignment.
Reasonable Accommodation:
It is WCSI’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with disabilities.