CSO is looking for Relief Case Managers to work in our CBHC Emergency Services Program in Gardner.

Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) are responsible for providing a full range of client-centered and family-centered services and interventions for mental health, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders. CBHCs serve as an entry point for timely, flexible, person-centered, high-quality mental health and addiction treatment on an urgent and ongoing basis.

Our Emergency Service Programs (ESPs) offer clients behavioral health assessments, intervention and stabilization (for youth, families and adults,) 24-hour availability, and are a preferred alternative to hospital emergency departments. We offer these services to all individuals regardless of insurance or ability to pay. We provide daily assessment and brief counseling, case management, nursing support and peer support. We have recovery and wellness focused groups, psychiatric consultation when needed and also provide discharge planning. 

As a CBHC ESP Case Manager you will provide direct case management services to CBHC clients. Case management provides follow up support to individuals evaluated by CBHC program and who remain in the community after a Crisis assessment. 

Responsibilities

• Identify clients needing case management (CM), focusing support on crisis stabilization, and facilitating linkages to service supports including CSO, other mental health and SUD providers, medical providers and wellness activities.
• Engage Crisis clients either at the time of the initial Crisis encounter or within 24 hours through the client's preferred method of contact. Initial engagement is introductory, supportive and educational regarding Case Management services. 
• Provide individualized support based on person's unique profile including the individual's support system, provider recommendations and support needs identified by the individual. 
• Provide outreach to clients by telephone and in person and through their support network. 
• Complete necessary documentation, releases, and necessary paperwork. 
• Provide assistance in clarifying transition needs, gaps in services and supports. 
• Assist in locating housing, transport to appointments, and accessing supports for stabilization needs. 
• Assist clients in identifying and using natural supports including family and friends.
• Practice a holistic and integrative approach to healthcare that includes physical, medical and emotional wellness. This involves an overview of areas of need and "social determinants of health." 
• Be responsive to client requests, flexible and timely in providing services, creative in finding solutions, and dedicated to a person-first approach to care. 
• Participate in CSO training and education around trauma informed care and participate in agency-sponsored quality improvement initiatives. 
• Consult with clinical supervisor as needed including safety issues, barriers to transition, and questions about effective interventions, and focusing care on stabilization. 
• Collaborate with individual's providers as needed within HIPAA guidelines.
• Remain engaged with individual after the initial ESP encounter and until client is stable and engaged in appropriate community supports.  Consult with clinical supervisor prior to ending support services. 
• Complete other assigned activities having to do with client care such as hospital searches, insurance verification, telephone triage, and various other Crisis duties. 
• As a designated critical employee of CSO, must come to work when scheduled regardless of adverse weather conditions, and when other CSO offices are closed, including holidays. In the event there are extenuating circumstances, employee must make prior arrangements with Program Director in order to maintain adequate staffing in the program. 
• Attend in-service trainings on evidence-based best practices and other topics as appropriate.
• Ensure record keeping and service delivery standards meet CBHC quality metric requirements, as determined by the CBHC contract.
• Complete all initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for those hospitals where employee will be providing services including obtaining required vaccinations, tox screens, and safety/health education competencies. (Any necessary vaccinations/x-rays are employee's responsibility.) 

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a behavioral health discipline or related field. Demonstrated experience working with adults with mental health challenges including experience navigating the behavioral health system.? Good listening skills; ability to foster self-sufficiency of individuals using problem-solving and practical skills; familiarity with support groups or education groups. Excellent oral and written communication skills, and computer competency.  Must be able to work independently and follow through with projects as well as be an effective member of a team.  Must be able to work flexible schedule which may include evening and weekend work, as required by individual needs. Must possess valid driver's license and reliable transportation to support outreach and home and community-based activities.

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, (English/Spanish speaking.)

Our Agency

Clinical & Support Options, Inc. is a behavioral health organization serving individuals and families across Western Massachusetts. From our early days as a child guidance clinic, we have expanded into a full service behavioral health agency, committed internally to excellence while we collaborate externally with community partners to participate in a comprehensive system of assistance and resources for the residents of our communities. We employ over 650 multi-disciplinary staff, helping thousands of families over the past 50 years. We have community based office locations throughout Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange, Athol, Gardner and Pittsfield.

Our expertise, in a nutshell, is to support people in their progress towards self-sufficiency, no matter what challenges they face on that journey. EOE/AA