Case Manager - Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist (QBHS)

Job Description:\n\nPOSITION SUMMARY The Case Manager/Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist (QBHS) provides person-centered, recovery-oriented behavioral health services to individuals receiving services through Watson Community Health Centre (WCHC). The Case Manager works collaboratively with clients, families, natural supports, treatment team members, healthcare providers, schools, community organizations, and other service systems to assist clients in achieving the goals and objectives identified within their Individual Treatment Plan (ITP). Services are designed to improve client stability, functioning, independence, coping abilities, access to community resources, and overall quality of life. The Case Manager is responsible for maintaining consistent client contact, providing medically necessary interventions, coordinating care, documenting services accurately and timely, participating in supervision, and ensuring that all services remain directly connected to the client's assessed behavioral health needs and treatment goals. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Client Services & Case ManagementMaintain an assigned caseload and provide consistent, meaningful contact with clients based upon each client's individual needs, treatment plan, and recommended frequency of services.Establish professional, therapeutic relationships with clients while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.Assist clients with identifying barriers that interfere with their behavioral health, stability, independence, and ability to function successfully within their home, school, work, family, and community.Provide individualized interventions that directly support the goals and objectives identified within the client's current Individual Treatment Plan.Assist clients in developing practical skills related to problem-solving, communication, emotional regulation, coping, decision-making, organization, self-advocacy, interpersonal relationships, and independent functioning.Assist clients with accessing and maintaining community resources, including housing, food assistance, transportation, employment, education, healthcare, benefits, childcare, and other identified supports.Advocate for clients when appropriate and assist clients in developing the skills necessary to advocate for themselves.Monitor client progress and communicate significant changes in functioning, symptoms, needs, risks, or barriers to the appropriate treatment team member or supervisor. Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) When qualified and assigned to provide TBS services, the Case Manager may:Provide goal-directed, solution-focused interventions related to the client's behavioral health needs.Assist clients and families with identifying strengths, needs, strategies, and treatment options.Reinforce coping strategies and behavioral interventions identified through the treatment planning process.Provide interventions addressing emotional and behavioral management.Assist clients with developing skills necessary to manage symptoms and improve functioning.Provide appropriate psychoeducation to clients, caregivers, families, and collateral supports when related to the client's treatment needs. Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) When qualified and assigned to provide PSR services, the Case Manager may:Assist clients with restoring or developing daily living and community functioning skills.Support clients in establishing healthy routines necessary for success within the home, school, workplace, and community.Assist clients in developing skills to manage the functional impact of mental health symptoms.Provide rehabilitation and skill-building interventions designed to increase independence and community functioning.Reinforce skills identified within the client's treatment plan. Care Coordination & Community SupportCoordinate services with therapists, supervisors, healthcare providers, schools, social service agencies, hospitals, community organizations, probation/court personnel, and other providers when clinically appropriate and authorized.Participate in treatment team meetings, school meetings, care coordination meetings, discharge planning, and other multidisciplinary meetings when appropriate.Assist clients with scheduling and following through with necessary behavioral health, medical, social service, and community appointments.Collaborate with parents, guardians, caregivers, and natural supports when appropriate to strengthen continuity of care.Identify community resources that may assist clients and maintain working knowledge of available programs and services.Support successful transitions between levels of care and assist with discharge planning when requested. TREATMENT PLAN RESPONSIBILITIESReview and remain familiar with the client's current Diagnostic Evaluation, Individual Treatment Plan, identified diagnoses, goals, objectives, strengths, needs, and recommended services.Ensure that every billable service provided is medically necessary and directly connected to at least one active goal or objective on the client's current ITP.Provide services within the frequency, scope, and type authorized by the client's treatment plan.Notify the appropriate clinical staff when a client's needs, functioning, or circumstances indicate that the treatment plan may require modification.Participate in treatment plan development and updates as requested.Ensure services are individualized and based upon the client's needs rather than providing repetitive or generic interventions. DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS The Case Manager is responsible for maintaining complete, accurate, and timely clinical documentation in WCHC's electronic health record. Responsibilities include:Complete progress notes for all services provided within WCHC's required documentation timeframe.Clearly identify the intervention provided, client's response, progress toward treatment goals, and plan for continued services.Ensure documentation supports the service code, duration, location, and type of service billed.Directly reference the applicable ITP goal/objective addressed during the session.Accurately document collateral contacts and coordination activities when applicable.Complete required assessments, forms, releases, incident reports, safety-related documentation, and other clinical records within established deadlines.Obtain all required signatures and correct documentation errors promptly when identified.Maintain documentation that is individualized and accurately reflects the service that occurred.Never document or bill for services that were not actually provided.Maintain compliance with HIPAA, confidentiality requirements, Medicaid requirements, WCHC policies, and applicable state and federal regulations. CLIENT ENGAGEMENT & CASELOAD MANAGEMENT Case Managers are expected to actively manage their assigned caseload. This includes:Maintaining regular communication with assigned clients.Making reasonable outreach attempts when clients miss appointments or become difficult to contact.Communicating barriers to engagement with supervisors.Monitoring whether clients are receiving services at the frequency identified within their treatment plans.Maintaining an organized schedule and planning client contacts in advance.Communicating significant changes in availability that may interfere with continuity of care.Participating in reassignment or transition planning when unable to continue serving a client.Supporting client retention while respecting the client's right to choose, refuse, or discontinue services. CRISIS RESPONSE & CLIENT SAFETY The Case Manager is expected to:Recognize warning signs indicating potential behavioral health crises.Utilize appropriate de-escalation techniques.Follow WCHC crisis response and emergency procedures.Immediately communicate concerns regarding suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, abuse, neglect, exploitation, significant safety concerns, or substantial deterioration in functioning.Contact emergency services or other crisis resources when clinically appropriate and consistent with agency procedures.Complete required incident and crisis-related documentation.Follow all mandated reporting requirements. Case Managers are not expected to provide services outside of their education, training, competency, credential, or permitted scope of practice. SUPERVISION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTParticipate in individual and/or group supervision as required by WCHC.Attend mandatory staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.Submit required supervision documentation within established deadlines.Present client concerns, documentation questions, ethical concerns, boundary issues, and clinical challenges during supervision.Implement feedback and corrective guidance provided through supervision.Maintain all trainings and competencies required for the position.Demonstrate ongoing competency in behavioral health, therapeutic engagement, crisis response, de-escalation, community resources, cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed care, and person-centered services. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Candidates must meet applicable Ohio requirements to function as a Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist and/or qualified mental health specialist for the services assigned. At minimum, candidates must:Be at least 18 years of age.Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalent.Have appropriate education, training, and/or relevant behavioral health experience consistent with the services being provided.Demonstrate competency in working with individuals experiencing mental health and/or behavioral health needs.Possess an understanding of behavioral health treatment and recovery.Demonstrate knowledge of community behavioral health, healthcare, social service, educational, and other community systems.Understand how behavioral health symptoms may impact functioning and behavior.Demonstrate the ability to therapeutically engage clients and families.Demonstrate knowledge of crisis response and de-escalation techniques.Successfully complete all WCHC required orientation, competency assessments, background checks, exclusion screenings, and mandatory trainings. TBS Qualification Employees assigned to provide Therapeutic Behavioral Services must meet applicable education and experience requirements, which may include:A bachelor's or master's degree in social work, psychology, nursing, or a related human services field; ORA high school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of three years of relevant experience, as determined and documented by WCHC. PSR Qualification Employees assigned to provide Psychosocial Rehabilitation services must:Possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent; andComplete appropriate mental health training and demonstrate competency related to the population and services being provided. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSBachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Education, or a related field.Previous behavioral health case management experience.Experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and/or families.Experience working with individuals affected by trauma, mental illness, substance use, housing instability, family conflict, or other social determinants of health.Knowledge of Ohio Medicaid behavioral health services.Experience with TBS, PSR, CPST, community-based behavioral health services, or care coordination.Familiarity with electronic health record documentation.Knowledge of community resources within the geographic area served. REQUIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES The successful candidate must demonstrate:Strong interpersonal and communication skills.Ability to establish rapport with diverse populations.Professional judgment and appropriate boundaries.Reliability and accountability.Time management and organizational skills.Ability to work independently in community-based settings.Ability to collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.Effective crisis management and de-escalation skills.Cultural humility and respect for individual differences.Trauma-informed and person-centered approaches to service delivery.Ability to receive supervision and implement feedback.Accurate and professional written documentation.Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.Ability to appropriately manage multiple clients, appointments, deadlines, and documentation requirements. PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS All Case Managers are expected to:Treat every client with dignity, compassion, respect, and professionalism.Protect client rights, privacy, confidentiality, and freedom of choice.Maintain appropriate ethical and professional boundaries.Avoid conflicts of interest and dual relationships.Never discriminate against a client based upon race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, disability, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, culture, diagnosis, or other protected status.Maintain professional communication with clients, families, coworkers, supervisors, and community partners.Follow WCHC policies and procedures.Report suspected fraud, waste, abuse, ethical violations, safety concerns, and compliance concerns.Maintain accurate timekeeping and billing records.Participate in quality improvement and compliance activities when requested.Represent Watson Community Health Centre professionally within the community. TRANSPORTATION & COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES Because services may be provided within the community, employees may be required to:Travel to client homes, schools, community locations, WCHC offices, and other approved service locations.Maintain reliable transportation.Maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance when driving is required for the position.Follow all WCHC transportation, safety, and community-based service policies. Transportation of clients is permitted only when authorized by WCHC policy and applicable insurance and safety requirements. CONFIDENTIALITY & COMPLIANCE The Case Manager must comply with all applicable:HIPAA and confidentiality requirementsOhio Medicaid requirementsOhio Department of Behavioral Health requirementsCARF standards, when applicableClient Rights requirementsMandatory reporting lawsWCHC Corporate Compliance requirementsFraud, Waste, and Abuse requirementsDocumentation and billing standardsAgency policies and procedures PHYSICAL & WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS The position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, driving, computer use, and community-based travel. Employees must be able to safely perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Community-based services may occur in environments outside of WCHC's direct control. Employees are expected to follow agency safety procedures and communicate safety concerns immediately.\n\nCompany Description:\n\nWatson Community Health Centre provides compassionate behavioral health services, empowering individuals

Watson Community Health Centre provides compassionate behavioral health services, empowering individuals and strengthening communities.