Detention Center Care Manager (Full Time, Cumberland County, North Carolina Based)

The Alliance Detention Center Care Manager (CM) is responsible for providing timely post release planning for detainees with complex needs due to Severe Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, unmet Physical Health needs due to acute, chronic, or infectious conditions, and/or Social Drivers of Health, especially homelessness. The Detention Center CM may engage the detainee post release for up to 30 days to assist with connecting them to a Community Care Manager and needed resources such as medical providers, medication management, behavioral health providers, housing needed resources, insurance coverage, employment, transportation, food, and veteran services. The focus of this position is to assist detainees with successful community re-entry that prevents criminal justice recidivism and hospitalization.

This position will allow the successful candidate to work a schedule that will be primarily remote. While there is no expectation of being in the office routinely, they will be required to come into the Alliance Office for business and team meetings as needed. This position will serve the Cumberland county area.

This position is a provisionally county funded position that is potentially time limited unless further funding is secured.

Responsibilities & Duties

Assessments & Care Planning

• Meet with detainees and/or guardian within one business day of referral to establish rapport and complete Care Needs Screening
• Make best effort to meet same day or within one business day of referral when detainee has pattern of multiple detainments of short duration. Focus is to prevent rapid and repeated detainments
• Meet with detainees as often as needed for release planning; a minimum of one time weekly
• Partner with detainee and/or guardian to develop post release plan based on Care Needs Screening. Adjust the post release plan as needed to accurately reflect detainee’s needs
• Use a person-centered approach to post release planning that is sensitive to the detainee’s culture, values, and preferences
• Document assessment findings, including but not limited to formal and informal support systems, strengths, priorities/goals, SDOH, and care need gaps
• Develop care plan with a comprehensive, wholistic and compassionate approach to care delivery that integrates physical, behavior, social, functional, and other needs as identified
  
  

Care Management and Collaboration

• Accept referrals from detention center staff. Referrals may be for detainees that are Alliance members or non-members
• If detainee is an Alliance member, research their treatment and diagnostic history to assist with release planning. Notify assigned Care Manager and enhanced providers of detainment
• Collaborate with Peer Support Specialists (PSS) throughout engagement with detainee. Consideration should be given to which position, CM or PSS, that can most effectively engage detainee throughout the post release planning process. It is expected that the CM and PSS will support each other to achieve the best possible outcome for the detainee
• Obtain Release of Information from detainees and/or guardian if needed to collaborate with family members, natural supports, and providers
• Assist detainee with developing and using healthy coping strategies, problem solving skills, and goal setting
• Provide education to detainee and/or guardian about available services and resources
• Complete referrals as needed for post release services
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings for resolution of complex needs
• Make every attempt to connect detainee with providers prior to release
• When possible, meet with detainee the day of release, review post release plan, and ensure detainee has needed contact information for services and resources. When possible, if needed, accompany member to temporary housing or to obtain needed resources
• For detainees that are assigned to a Provider Led Entity (PLE), Standard Plan, or other health plan, provide linkage to Care Management with those plans. If necessary, collaborate release planning with those Care Managers and be prepared to take lead if the Care Manager with their plan is unresponsive or limited in their capacity to assist
• For Alliance members, provide education about benefits of Tailored Plan, Medicaid Direct, and State Funded services. For any individuals assigned to a Standard Plan, review criteria for Tailored Plan and assist with request to move to Tailored Plan as indicated
• Engage with detainee in community up to 30 days post release to ensure they are connected with needed providers and resources. Conduct warm hand off to assigned Community Care Manager with their health plan
  
  

Advocacy

• Identify barriers to post release planning. Raise awareness with supervisor and stakeholders that can assist with eliminating or ameliorating barriers
• Maintain and document adherence to confidentiality and privacy mandates during facilitation, collaboration, and coordination efforts during post release planning and follow up
• Provide education and guidance on self-determination
• Promote informed and shared decision making, autonomy, and self-advocacy
• Provide or connect detainee and/or their informal supports with education to help improve their functioning, adaptive skills, socialization, and navigation of the service system
• Educate other healthcare and service providers about recognizing and respecting the detainee’s strengths, needs, goals, and decisions
• Recognize and work to prevent disparities in accessing quality services and care
• Advocate for least restrictive services, timely and well-coordinated transitions, and allocation of resources to optimize outcomes
• Recognize potential rising risk or escalation and consult with supervisor. Take lead when needed in staffing risk with clinical operations senior leadership, medical team, nursing, pharmacy, legal, or compliance
  
  

Professional Accountability

• Consistently act in a professional manner that aligns with Alliance values
• Pursue professional knowledge and practice excellence to maintain competence in care management and human service delivery best practices
• Prioritize detainee’s safety; report any safety concerns, unusual behavior, or conflicts to relevant detention staff and consult with supervisor
• Participate as requested in data collection of outcomes, system needs, volume served, and position activities to track program progress and identify needs
• Document in Alliance electronic record all contacts with detainees and/or guardians and all efforts made for release planning in accordance with documentation guidelines
• Through engagement and available data/metrics, monitor detainee’s response to release planning during detainment and for 30 days post release
• Maintain compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and organization, accreditation, and certification standards
• Maintain professional license or certification as applicable
  
  

Travel

• Travel as needed to meet detainees, guardians, providers, and stakeholders
• Travel to Alliance offices/catchment area for meetings, trainings, and Alliance sponsored events
• Travel outside Alliance catchment areas as needed
  
  

Minimum Requirements

Education & Experience

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Services or related field and at least one (1) year of post graduate degree full-time experience providing care management, case management, care coordination, discharge planning, or utilization management to members with Behavioral Health and Physical Health conditions in a behavioral health, medical, or managed care setting.

Must reside in North Carolina and must have ability to travel as needed.

Preferred:

Valid and active clinical license (LCSW, LMFT, LCAS, LCMHC, LPA, RN) in North Carolina.

NACCM, NADD-Specialist, Health Education Specialist, and/or CBIS certification preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• A demonstrated Knowledge of the assessment and treatment of mental health, substance abuse, intellectual and developmental disabilities,
• Knowledge of legal, waiver, accreditation standards and program practices/requirements.
• Knowledge of the Alliance Health service benefit plans and network providers.
• Ability to independently organize multiple tasks, priorities, and to effectively manage an assigned caseload under pressure of deadlines.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, highly effective communication ability,
• Extensive understanding of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (current version)
• Considerable knowledge of the MHSU/IDD service array provided through the network of the LME/MCO’s Providers
• Knowledge of LME/MCO’s implementation of the 1915(b/c) waivers and accreditation
• Highly skilled at assuring that both long and short-range goals and needs of the individual are addressed and updated, while assuring through monitoring activities that service implementation occurs appropriately
• Excellent computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
• Excellent problem solving, negotiation, arbitration, and conflict resolution skills
• Detail-oriented, able to organize multiple tasks and priorities and effectively manage projects from start to finish
• Ability to make prompt independent decisions based upon relevant facts, to establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to change the focus of his/her activities to meet changing priorities
• A high level of diplomacy and discretion is required to effectively negotiate and resolve issues with minimal assistance
  
  

Employment for this position is contingent upon a satisfactory background and MVR (Motor Vehicle Registration) check, which will be performed after acceptance of an offer of employment and prior to the employee's start date.

Salary Range

$28.96 - $34.62/ Hourly

Exact compensation will be determined based on the candidate's education, experience, external market data and consideration of internal equity.

An excellent fringe benefit package accompanies the salary, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long Term Disability
• Generous retirement savings plan
• Flexible work schedules including hybrid/remote options
• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, holiday, management leave
• Dress flexibility