Case Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

Person in this position will be primarily responsible for a caseload of United States Armed Forces Veterans or Service Members who have been homeless and have experienced problems related to substance abuse and/or mental health issues and are currently living at the SJVV "Veteran's Plaza" transitional living program for male veterans. This person is responsible for case management activities including linking veterans with services inside the Veterans Administration and in the community, case record management, supportive counseling, and facilitating psycho-educational groups. Person may be called upon to conduct screenings, complete intake assessments, monitor program process and intervene as necessary. Essential job functions include those listed below and other duties may be assigned as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

* Serve as an active part of the San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV) case management team and carry out all required responsibilities as needed.

* Manage a caseload of participants

* Create individual plans per the Veteran's Plaza handbook phases, monitor and update plan weekly, and have exit plans per client

* Work with case managers at SJVV for supportive services

* Participate in clinical staffing decisions regarding current strengths and resources and the need for additional resources.

* Conduct assessments and coordinate referrals and placements of eligible clients to appropriate programs and facilities.

* Educate and refer individuals to community agencies and businesses that appropriately address needs for food, shelter, clothing, employment, transportation, etc.

* Assist residents with establishing or re-establishing support systems within their community.

* Act as advocate on behalf of the resident to improve access to needed community services.

* Practice, conduct and improve upon current HomeFront curriculum including house meetings, LifeSkills groups, money management and parenting classes

* Prepare Per Diem billing for VA and work closely with Project Liaison at VA Homeless Office

* Coordinate and partner with community resources to promote the well being of the women veterans (i.e. WestCare, Fresno County, VA, Vet Center, FMCoC)

* Provide supportive counseling to residents through one to one and group meetings

* Maintain facility within safety codes, food supply, furnishings; create atmosphere of learning and empowerment Ensure resident safety and well being and monitor that resident needs are being met.

* Administer urine testing for drug/alc levels and report results to Director and VA Project Liaison

* Complete documentation of services on provided forms in a timely manner.

* Provide input into the patient's treatment needs and disposition.

* Develop and maintain working knowledge of available community resources and act as liaison.

* Assist other WestCare staff as needed in a collaborative manner to promote cooperation and portray a professional image to the community. Promote "Veteran's Plaza" into the veteran community through various resources such as public speaking, websites, articles, emails, and personal networking

* Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

* Experience consisting of two (2) years of providing case management services, preferably to the Veteran population.

* Ability to work collaboratively with others in a manner that is pleasant and professional.

* Ability to work well in a team environment.

* Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.

* Ability to operate and document in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook program formats.

* Ability to respond as needed to crisis situations in an efficient manner.

* Ability to complete work tasks within scheduled work hours.

* Ability to work flexible schedule (schedule may include weekends and evening hours);

* Veteran and/or military experience preferred

* Demonstrated ability to work with the homeless veteran client

* Willing to seek out new work projects and contribute ideas and efforts to the constant improvement of WestCare services.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

* Master's Degree in the Social Sciences or related fields

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

* Not applicable for this position.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

* Work is performed primarily in a professional, office setting.

* A minimum of 40 hours per week. Completion of job duties may require working before and after normal working hours. Regular attendance is required. Being able to work as many hours as is necessary to complete job tasks is a required and essential duty of this position.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

* Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 30 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files). Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations through the use of approved physical de-escalation techniques.

* Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, residents, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.

* Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.

* Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

* The normal work routine involves exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee and safety training is mandatory.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

* Requires the ability to collect and analyze complex numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions.

* Requires the ability to work and cooperate with clients, co-workers, managers, the public and employees at all levels in order to exchange ideas, information, instructions and opinions.

* Requires the ability to work under stress and in emotionally charged settings.

* The ability to defend oneself and clients in mentally/verbally abusive situations through the use of approved mental/verbal de-escalation techniques.