Case Manager IV

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. The HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals located throughout the state and one youth residential psychiatric center in Waco. The HSCS is a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospitals provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Case Manager IV performs advanced (senior-level) case management work. The Case Manager IV includes the patient, family, legally authorized representative (LAR), and Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) in all phases of assessment, intervention, planning, and discharge. Work includes collecting social assessment information, planning recovery team interventions to aid patients in achieving their recovery goals, patient advocacy, provision of group and individual interventions related to discharge planning, social education, and skill development. The Case Manager IV assists other Case Managers in the completion of their job functions as needed and participates in Social Service department quality improvement and utilization management activities as assigned. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient operation of the patient care unit. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Collects social assessment information for the licensed social worker by interviewing with patients, family, legally authorized representatives (LAR), and Local Mental Health Authorities to determine what is important to the patient and gather background information needed to assess the individual’s support systems and identify the individual’s psychosocial and discharge planning needs. Information includes, but is not limited to: The individual’s religion and spiritual beliefs, values, and preferences; living situation; leisure and recreational activities; military service history; peer group; social factors; ethnic and cultural factors; financial status; vocational or educational background; legal history; communication skills; any history of physical or sexual abuse as either the abuser or abused; sexual history; childhood history; emotional and health care issues; self-care.

Based upon the Social Assessment of the patient, the Case Manager IV oversees the creation and development of individualized goals and objectives on patients’ individualized recovery plan; ensures individuals active involvement in development through 1:1 meetings with patients, family contact, and input from the Local Mental Health Authority. Goals must reflect the individuals’ stated life goal and objectives must be measurable and written in active voice.

Serves as an advocate for individual rights by providing assistance to individuals, family, and LARs regarding rights of individuals receiving inpatient services in state hospitals, advance directives, voting, Medicare rights, privacy rights, and other rights in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations and state and center policies. Provision of this information is documented on admission and annually thereafter at a minimum.

Ensures that individuals’ families and/or LARs are involved in recovery activities, informed of changes to the recovery plan, restraint or seclusion events, serious injuries, illnesses, rights restrictions, and other significant events in the individuals’ treatment. The Case Manager IV aids the family in making reservations at the Family House for overnight stays, educates families on mental illness, and provides information on hospital rules. First family contact is made within two business days of admission or signed patient authorization and contacts are continued at a minimum of monthly. Family calls are returned promptly.

Meets with patients individually or in groups as indicated on the patient recovery plan; interventions are provided at the intervals prescribed by the recovery plan; documentation is completed weekly and reflects the individuals’ response to the intervention; interventions are individualized to the patient, but examples of interventions include discharge planning and education on social skills, community readiness, relationships, trial competency, or mental health skills.

Works closely with the patient, family, LAR, Local Mental Health Authority, physician, and other recovery team members to develop a discharge plan to ensure continuity of care between hospital and placement. The patient, family, and LAR are educated on discharge options and preparation. The Case Manager IV begins discharge planning upon admission, and the status of the plan is documented weekly for the first 8 weeks of hospitalization and monthly thereafter. The final discharge plan includes a plan for the safe transportation of the patient to the discharge destination and provision of records to the next provider.

Assists Case Managers IIs in completion of job functions as needed; provides training to new Case Manager IIs, and in-service training in relevant subject matter to all Case Manager IIs quarterly. Participates in quality assurance activities by completing assigned chart reviews in a timely manner, thoroughly documents reason for “No” answers; the Case Manager IV is expected to score within the margin of error as calculated by the right answer algorithm.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of community resources and/or how to obtain information regarding those resources.

Knowledge of case management principles, objectives, standards, and methods.

Knowledge of program's policies and procedures is generally preferred.

Knowledge of the differences between civil and forensic commitments.

Knowledge of competency restoration requirements, Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) process, and discharge requirements.

Skill in the use of computers and applicable software.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to collect and analyze program data for the purpose of quality and outcome monitoring.

Ability to assess patient needs and to coordinate patient services.

Ability to monitor program effectiveness.

Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

Initial Selection Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work or a related field is generally preferred; experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Experience in case management or social services work.

Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and HHS OIG list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be at least 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. Occasional other shift and weekend work is required along with rotating holidays.

Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

If you need assistance completing the online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Waco Center for Youth is a psychiatric residential treatment facility that serves teenagers ages 13 through 17 with emotional difficulties and/or behavioral problems. Waco Center for Youth bases its treatment philosophy on the belief that both behavior change and an understanding of self and others are equally important in achieving significant long term success in treatment. The mission of Waco Center for Youth is “to give each youth a chance for change” by providing comprehensive psychiatric residential treatment services to emotionally disturbed adolescents of the state of Texas. The facility is operated by the Health and Human Services Commission and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Facilities.

MOS Code:
68X, HM, 0149, 4C0X1

Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 68X, HM, 0149, 4C0X1. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.

Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.