Substance Abuse Case Manager

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General Statement of Duties:

This position is a member of a team of professionals who provide intensive treatment and support to people with substance use disorders, with a particular emphasis on clients who are involved in various levels of the criminal justice system. The person in this position is responsible for providing a wide range of case management and administrative services to clients who will present with complex goals and needs.  This position will assist participants with substance use, and co-occurring substance use/mental health disorders, in addressing multiple issues and barriers that interfere with long-term recovery.  This person will also link participants to services, both within the agency and in the larger community, to address their respective needs. Strong collaboration skills are essential as this position will often require working directly with a variety of community partners, including law enforcement officers, probation officers, lawyers, and judges.  This position will often serve as a client advocate, representing the participant’s interest in both accessing services and ensuring that services are used effectively. The substance use case manager works under the regular supervision of the Supervisor of Community Outreach.

 

Persons in this position are classified non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

 

Major Essential Functions:

  • Manages an assigned caseload of individuals struggling with different degrees of substance use, frequently to include clients also involved with the legal system/Drug Court. Case load will include individuals who have a high risk of relapse or continued use without intervention.
  • With legal involved clients, will monitor and do outreach to assist clients in meeting terms and conditions of their respective programs.
  • Uses a motivational approach to engage participants to increase buy-in, participation, and retention.
  • Identifies case management needs and develops individualized case management service plans that match needs within appropriate resources.
  • Secures, monitors, and coordinates multiple services to address identified needs that include treatment for substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, housing, transportation, childcare, general healthcare, employment and financial assistance.
  • Gathers information in a variety of means, such as; phone call, letter or face-to-face interviews.
  • Is responsible for coordinating admission, discharge planning, and arranging continuing care for detoxification and residential alcohol/drug treatment.
  • Works collaboratively with community agencies including: probation and pretrial services, Commonwealth Attorney’s office, substance use treatment providers, Harrisonburg Community Health Center, Free Clinic, Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services, and the Department of Rehabilitation and Aging.
  • Refers clients at risk for HIV infection, AIDS, TB, Hepatitis and STD to appropriate agencies for testing and treatment.
  • Provides support, consultation, and referrals when clients are in crisis.
  • Works with clients in a variety of settings, including CSB offices, legal system related settings, individual’s homes, job sites, and other community base settings.
  • Maintains a current knowledge regarding alcohol and drug treatment issues.
  • Assures compliance with agency policy, client rights, confidentiality, licensure regulations and Medicaid regulations.
  • Maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, clients, community Agencies and regional service providers based on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  • Is responsible for other duties assigned, consistent with established policy and procedure.

 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of substance abuse treatment and case management.
  • Good interpersonal skills, the ability to work effectively with service providers from other disciplines and disabilities.
  • The ability to identify critical linkages.
  • Extensive networking experience.
  • The ability to work with persons from many socioeconomic and educational levels who are experiencing a wide variety of substance use related problems.
  • Knowledge of, and adherence to, basic ethics appropriate for professional helping relationships.
  • The ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Demonstrate good judgement.

 

Minimum education and Experience:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, or a related field, is required.
  • At least two years of experience in a substance abuse setting.
  • Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to work with this population.

 

Other Information:

Equipment: Telephone, copy machine, personal computer, word processing software.

 

Work environment: General office environment with normal lighting levels, temperature, air quality, ventilation and noise levels. Community settings, facilities, individuals’ homes with environment as determined by occupant.

 

Office Location: 1241 North Main Street, Harrisonburg; and other sites as determined by program needs.

 

Work Hazards: Minimal hazards associated with rehabilitation programs

 

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, regular office hours; some evening, weekend, additional hours may be needed at times to perform job requirements.  Regular and reliable attendance is an expectation in this position.

 

HIPAA Access Level 2:  Full read/write access to protected health information (PHI), limited to the minimum necessary, for all clients directly served or assigned, as well as all clients indirectly served through case consultation, clinical supervision, program management, or coverage requirements. Staff at Level 2 are allowed to seek out client PHI as necessary to perform their assigned duties, but are expected to exercise due precautions to limit exposure to any PHI which is outside the scope of their need to know. Utilization of information will be in accordance with HIPAA regulations regarding use limitation, disclosure and requests of PHI.