Description

VOA’s Behavioral Health Transitional Support (BHTS) Case Manager is a position that relies on independent and collaborative work to engage with and provide community support services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Services are community-based and focus on assisting participants to access recovery and improve the quality of their lives. Services include but are not limited to; helping participants access needed entitlements, acquire or maintain housing, and develop the necessary skills to manage symptoms of their illness with the focus on independent living and vocational or volunteer participation. 

BHTS services assist in stabilizing participants experiencing temporary or chronic homelessness, provide supportive engagement, and provide consistency in staff who provide continuity of care and linkage to resources, rapid access to necessary community and behavioral health resources and ensure that needs/requests are met and challenges resolved.

VOA seeks a workforce that reflects the diversity of the VOA Participants, whom we serve: people of many ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and religious beliefs.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: 

This is a full-time position with 40 work hours per week and set work hours. This position has a requirement of 8 work hours per day, Monday through Friday.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the essential duties/responsibilities listed below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties/responsibilities of this job. The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Respect and value all VOA Participants, regardless of circumstance, behavior, or need. 
• Utilize Evidence Based Practices such as: Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and Trauma Informed Care. 
• Engage with shelter participants using creative strategies to develop trusting relationships. 
• Be knowledgeable of area resources for participants and how to help them access those resources. 
• Build relationships with staff from systems of care for the purpose of sharing participant referrals. 
• Assist shelter participants with behavioral health and co-occurring challenges in addition to homelessness, including those unable or avers to accessing behavioral health services through conventional service models. 
• Assist participants with rapid access to necessary community and behavioral health resources to ensure that needs/requests can be met and challenges resolved. 
• Engage with individuals and their identified natural supports to develop person-centered recovery planning to determine the amount and type of services needed to meet their unique needs. 
• Provide on-going coordination and case management services for up to 8 weeks, unless justification to extend services to ensure continuity of care and maintain the safety and wellbeing of participants or ensure a warm handoff to necessary services.
• Provide case management services inclusive of: 
• Facilitation of access to emergency services whenever necessary, including medical, law enforcement, shelter and detox services etc. 
• Assistance with accessing services in the community, scheduling appointments and attending meetings to help participants establish trust with other service providers who can offer specialized services and case management. 
• Advocate for participants and remove barriers to services in legal, educational and rehabilitation settings. 
• Provision of education and information on mental health symptoms, substance use disorder symptoms, possible consequences of usage, and available/applicable resources. 
• Work with a variety of personalities successfully and stay calm in tense situations. 
• Input accurate and complete data for all contacts with participants using the BHTSP Data Collection Tool and submit quarterly deliverables to the SCRBH (ASO) by the 15th of the month following the end of the quarter. 
• Adhere to VOA documentation requirements. 
• Participate in required staff meetings including regular program and clinical supervision. 
• Complete all required paperwork. 
• Ensure that participant files and program records are maintained in accordance with agency, program and grant requirements. 
• Represent VOA at community meetings, agency networking and collaboration activities and events related to homeless participants. 
• Understand, adhere to and support VOA agency policies, procedures and professional code of ethics and boundaries. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Performs other related duties as required or assigned. 
• Employee must transport self in personal vehicle and may transport participants at Case Manager's discretion. 
• Travel is primarily local and during the business day, although very occasional out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.
• This role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Compensation and Benefits:

Monetary compensation for this role is $23.50 per hour, but other benefits of working at VOA go far beyond that:

• Short Term and Long Term Disability
• Supplemental Insurance
• 8 Paid Annual Holidays
• Up to 5 additional discretionary annual holidays (depending on hire date)
• Company-issued cell phone and laptop
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Time Off
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Three Aflac Insurance Policies to electively enroll in: Accident Protection, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity
• 403(b) Retirement Plan including up to 25% employer match up to $500 per year
• Ongoing program specific training and professional development training
• Opportunity for career growth and professional development
• Work/Life Balance: We are dedicated to being flexible for family and self-care!

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the minimum qualifications listed below. These qualifications are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform this job. 

Required Education and/or Experience: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field or
• At least 2 years of experience working with disadvantaged populations, including but not limited to people experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health conditions and substance use disorders. 

Certificates and/or Licenses: To perform this job successfully, an individual must: 

• Be eligible to be licensed as Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) and apply for credential within 30 days of hire 
• Become CPR/First Aid/BBP Certified within 6 months of employment 
• Have a valid Driver’s License 
• Have the ability to maintain Auto Liability Insurance 
• Have reliable transportation 
• Must be able to pass the following Background Checks:
• Not listed on the Medicaid Exclusion List 
• Successfully pass a Comprehensive Criminal History Background Check and Driving Record Review 

Preferred Education and/or Experience: 

• Two years of experience working disadvantaged populations, including but not limited to: 
• People experiencing homelessness 
• Mental health related issues 
• Substance use disorders 
• Domestic violence 
• Barriers related to poverty 

Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications: 

Must be at least 18 years of age according to the program and funding requirements.

Skills, Abilities, and Competencies: For an employee to succeed in this position they must have: 

• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; including demonstrated strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to retain high professional standards regarding confidentiality.
• Ability to multi-task and work in a high volume, fast-paced environment, balancing changing priorities.
• Proven ability for attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively with employees and managers from diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Excellent public speaking skills for large and small groups.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of Medicaid and/or Medicare and/or Medicare enrollment services and process.
• Proficient in word processing applications and associated software such as Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook; including Google Suite, CMIS (HMIS), and behavioral health software systems.
• Proficient reporting skills including auditing data and processes regularly to produce reports and/or communications to applicable stakeholders.

Physical Requirements:

In order to meet all expectations of this position, an individual must be able to: 

• Regularly: Operate a computer with keyboard and mouse, as well as other office equipment, such as printers, copy machines, telephones, etc. Ascend and descend stairs when accompanying participants to various appointments and providing case management services within participants' homes in the community. Perceive text and buttons on the computer screen and discern print and handwriting on paper forms.
• Frequently remain in a stationary position (such as sitting or standing) and to move about inside and outside of the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Occasionally lift and/or move client possessions, small to medium objects in the office, and/or cleaning supplies (up to 50 pounds).

Work Conditions: 

While performing the essential duties/responsibilities of this job, the employee may experience the following environmental conditions:

• Noise Conditions: This job operates in an office environment and frequently outreaches to client residences or community partners.
• Heat/Cold: May be subject to heat, cold, wet, and/or humid weather conditions, and occasionally extreme heat and/or cold. 
• Injury Exposure: Position requires working with standard office equipment – copy machine, computers, and phones.
• Atmospheric Exposures: May be exposed to various scents and perfumes, less than sanitary or uncomfortable conditions, various pests and pathogens, participants’ service and emotional support animals, as well as clients in physical, mental or emotional distress.