Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Aides consumers in obtaining needed services to enable clients to live in the least restrictive setting possible.
• Completes comprehensive client assessments to determine service needs.
• Develops an Individual Service Plan (ISP) by including family members and providers in order to access and coordinate services to assure continuity of care.
• Implements, monitors and modifies the ISP through periodic reviews with the client and providers in order to monitor progress and assure compliance.
• Maintains each consumer record with all necessary documentation to ensure that a complete and up to date record of services is available at all times; generates statistical and billing information in a timely manner.
• Establishes and maintains supportive relationships with clients and families/guardians through meetings and telephone contact to increase coping skills and to identify and secure acceptable services.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with community and other state agencies, school departments and treatment providers in order to identify unmet needs and to effectively access a comprehensive range of services for consumers.
• Assists clients to identify and overcome barriers to living with family members/guardians and accesses flexible, wrap around services when appropriate.
• Advocates for the client by obtaining services and entitlements in addition to facilitating communication and negotiations with agencies.
• Provides outreach to clients by telephone contact, home visits or letter for the purpose of ongoing assessment, supportive counseling and continuity of care.
• Updates professional skills by attending in-service education programs to improve the quality of care to clients.
• Assists clients in obtaining services by transporting clients when necessary to assure linkage to services and entitlements.

• Contributes to the development of an ongoing resource file so that new community programs/services are identified and shared with team members.

• Demonstrated knowledge of psychosocial problems of those with mental/emotional disorders and the types and symptoms.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of counseling.

• Familiarity with the types of programs and services available to individuals living with mental illness.

• General understanding of interviewing techniques.

• Knowledge of methods of general report writing with the ability to assess case management process and results.

• Strong and effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen well, relate to others and demonstrate sensitivity and respect for individuals.

• Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population with cultural competence and sensitivity, as well as the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy and tact.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel.

• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.