This program is unique by design, its innovative in nature, and provides multiple opportunity to network with numerous community based services. This program promises to provide multiple opportunities for professional growth and exposure to ever changing services including collaborative work within the legal system, probation, and emergency psychiatric services. The program has a energy of its own, fueled by an amazing team of passionate individuals.

In Home Outreach Team (IHOT) North Program provides outreach and engagement including support and education, screening of needs, transitional case management, referrals to community services and crisis intervention as needed. We offer a wide range of services to assist with needs, supports, or desired services. The IHOT North Program provides support, needs assessment, and assistance in problem-solving for: Initial engagement of services, learning to access the support you need from San Diego County clinics and other community services, changes in living situations, and becoming employed or returning to employment.

Guided by peer and family support staff, individualized goals are created to help participants identify and achieve their hopes and dreams through use creative, individualized, and innovative strategies. The length of services is based on our participant’s level of need. The IHOT North team members include men and women of varied ages, ethnicities and racial backgrounds, who are trained peer and family specialists. They share their own lived experiences with IHOT North participants and families.

Position Description: The Care Coordinator provides intensive case management services to clients who are difficult to engage and may deny the need for mental health services. The Care Coordinator will additionally utilize clinical skills to observe and assess participants and are encouraged to provide clinical feedback. BBS hours can be attained for both ASW and IMF in this position. Supervision is provided at the request of the employee. The Care Coordinator coordinates care for our participants and assists them in accessing services and resources that will help maintain them in the community in the least restrictive environment. In addition, the Care Coordinator acts as a liaison between treatment providers and the client and assists clients with the development of social and community support systems that promote stability and enable clients to function at the highest level possible. The Care Coordinator offers extensive knowledge of community resources and support as a primary means of assisting each client to reach their rehabilitation and recovery goals. Care Coordinators are encouraged to identify specialty areas and may provide support groups and psycho-educational groups. Care Coordinators are supported by a wellness advocate (peer support) and family support partner as part of triad team. The range of authority is consistent with that of MHS Case Managers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Gathers information for assessment and diagnosis. Conducts intake interviews and completes comprehensive individual assessments of client’s mental status and level of social functioning.
• Prepares and maintains assessments, client plans, progress notes and other records and documentation.
• Coordinates proposed treatment placements with providers. Facilitates placement including arranging pre-placement visits and transportation. Transports clients when necessary in own vehicle.
• Conducts chart and treatment plan reviews to ensure compliance with agency, federal, state and local government standards. Responsible for monitoring client progress throughout short-term treatment.
• Develops and maintains a caseload as assigned by the Program Manager-Lead Clinician.
• Serves as part of the on-call, late shift, and weekend team, fulfilling all duties of this program component as scheduled.
• Provides information about the program to community agencies, clients and families, connected to the mental health services system in order to educate them about the program.
• Provides counseling support to clients and families and encourages family members and client significant others to participate in client stabilization and counseling services and be able to refer those needing specific services and support.
• Provides on-call services and crisis intervention, and initiates contact with clients on a monthly basis at a minimum.
• Refers clients to community health, HIV and TB clinics as necessary.
• Maintains appropriate documentation on all clients as outlined in the Adult Mental Health Services Documentation and Uniformed Clinical Record Manual.
• Maintains contact with assigned treatment providers to continuously appraise client progress.
• Prepares critical care issues for discussion during weekly staff meetings and monthly supervision.
• Establishes weekly case presentations for review at staff meetings. This process includes all new admissions, discharges and referrals within the past week.
• Provides input on an ongoing basis to develop and improve program service and delivery.
• Intervenes for non-open cases in a crisis situation by referring to mental health services.
• Informs at-risk populations about the need for and availability of Medi-Cal and non-Medi-Cal mental health programs.
• Provides telephone, walk-in, or drop-in services for referring persons to Medi-Cal and non-Medi-Cal mental health programs.
• Assists individuals to access Medi-Cal physical health and mental health services by providing referrals, follow-up, and arranging transportation for mental health care.
• Displays regular and reliable attendance. Reports to and departs from work on time, as scheduled, and accurately reflects all time on time card.
• Successfully functions as a team member.

Seeking candidates who are comfortable with the population served, passionate about what they do, demonstrate flexibility and patience when experiencing the unexpected, and exhibit willingness to collaborate with intern and external supports. Care Coordinator candidates are expected to be in the field 75% of the time. Most have clean driving record and own vehicle.

Education/Experience Requirements: JOB RELATED QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Mental health treatment methodologies, peer and family run programs, and diagnostic techniques.
• Procedure manuals and an ability to interpret these effectively to staff, family members and community providers.

SKILLS:

• Bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog or Arabic is preferred.
• Resourcefulness, initiative and the ability to work with minimal direction and supervision.
• Skills necessary to provide effective counseling, therapy and clinical services, and the ability to successfully work as a member of a treatment team.
• Utilizes logical problem-solving techniques both independently and in collaboration with workers in dealing with client needs.

ABILITY TO:

• Provides effective case management services and the ability to successfully work as a member of a treatment team.
• Work with families to support and educate about clients illness, barriers and needs.
• Create written documentation that is legible, clear, and concise.
• Maintain the distinction between therapeutic and social relationships.
• Maintain positive morale and unit cohesion as evidenced by maintaining a cooperative and flexible attitude toward coworkers, showing adaptability to change, exhibiting effective communication and interpersonal skills, and taking initiative to solve problems.
• Set priorities and reacts appropriately to emergency situations.

EDUCATION and WORK EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in a behavioral science and at least two years’ experience providing services to individuals with mental illness; Or
• Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science and at least four years’ experience providing services to individuals with mental illness.
• Experience providing care to acutely mentally ill adults preferred.

Supervision and clinical support is always available and questions are encouraged. Management and leadership team members promote professional growth and are available for coaching and training.