Wellness SBIRT Care Specialist

Job Title: Wellness SBIRT Care Specialist

Reports To: WSS Management   

Job Status: Exempt  Non-Exempt

Hourly Rate:  $22 – $30

Summary

The SBIRT Care Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive case management services to patients entered in our Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment program.  The primary responsibility is to assist with assessments, service planning, linkage, monitoring and advocacy for this patient population.  The Case Manager coordinates and manages referrals for substance use treatment, mental health, primary health care and social services both internally and with community programs. The focus will be on building a comprehensive continuum of networking referrals to serve the needs of the SBIRT patients.

The Case Manager is culturally sensitive, client-driven and serves as the patients’ main point of contact. The Case Manager identifies the social determinants of health and provides the resources and follow-up to promote patient health and well-being.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the patients’ point of contact for navigating the Wellness Clinic as well as additional health and social services offered including access to food, shelter, clothing, transportation and childcare.
• Responsible for assessment of case management needs and case plan development, focusing on the whole individual and the patient’s current level of care.
• Identifies options for the patient and emphasizes the patient’s autonomy and choices.
• Completes initial SBIRT interview and 6-month follow up as required by the program.
• Promotes coordination of service delivery and prevents duplication of services.
• Establishes and maintains good working relationships with community organizations.
• Coordinates and follows up on referrals with other agencies in a professional and timely manner.
• Understand the various health insurance options available to patients and the importance of accessing those benefits as deemed necessary.
• Ensures that transitions from the behavioral health program to another community-based program are smooth and timely.
• Attends meetings and conducts presentations in the community to foster collaborative relationships with other community organizations and partners.
• Demonstrates excellent organizational skills to ensure patients are contacted for initial and 6-month interview in a timely manner while maintaining high level of client satisfaction.
• Records all patient information in a timely manner in the organization’s electronic health record and SBIRT program’s confidential online database.
• Compiles records and prepares and submits reports as requested.
• Provides on-going updates to clinical staff to ensure each patient gets the highest quality of care.
• Maintains up to date reference materials and resources for clients.
• Maintains effective communication and working relationships with other employees.
• Understands Self Help Groups such as 12-Step Recovery Community Support Programs and those offered by programs such as NAMI
• Attends staff meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Patient Centered Medical Home Essential Responsibilities (Principals)

• Collaborate with individual patients, their personal physicians, and when appropriate the patient’s family to ensure accessible, comprehensive, compassionate, and culturally competent care
• Facilitate care by registries, information technology, health information exchange and other means to assure that patients get the indicated care when and where they need and want it in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Ensure all decisions respect patients’ wants, needs, and preferences and that patients have the education and support they require to make decisions and participate in their own care.
• Continually strive to attend to each patient’s “whole person,” in the context of the patient’s personal and medical history and life circumstances, rather than focusing on a particular disease, organ, or system

Job Requirements

Education:  Bachelor degree in Social Work or related degree (counseling, psychology) preferred. High School Diploma (or GED Equivalent) Required.

Experience: 2 years of experience as a Case Manager in physician office or hospital setting or experience as a medical assistant, patient services representative, or similar experience preferred.

Verbal and Written Skills to perform the job:  Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Familiarity with basic word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.  Accurate keyboarding skills.

Technical knowledge and skills required to perform the job:  Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and the demonstrated ability to work with diverse individuals and groups.  Demonstrate high levels of self-initiation and direction. Knowledge of communities we serve. Knowledge and experience working in medical settings and interacting collaboratively with medical teams.  Skill in analyzing situations and making timely decisions.

Physical and Mental Requirements:  Work involves sitting, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.