Behavioral Health & Case Management Coordinator

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Salud Para La Gente (SALUD) provides high quality, comprehensive and cost-effective healthcare to underserved low-income communities in the Monterey Bay area, including Santa Cruz County and North Monterey County. We began in Watsonville 1978 as a storefront "free clinic," and with the ever growing need for health services, in 1992 we became a federally qualified community health center (FQHC). Today we are a primary health care network with 11 clinic sites, over 400 employees and continue to provide high quality services to patients of all ages.
Under supervision of the Behavioral Health Program Manager, and in coordination with the Director of Behavioral Health, the Behavioral Health and Case Management Coordinator: serves as a member of the care team to support the delivery of effective and efficient Behavioral Health visits; coordinates timely processing of patient paperwork, forms, and requests for records; ensures that patients receive timely notification of important referrals, manages provider case loads, and supports with group visits.
This position supports the organization's mission, vision, and values through excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, commitment to our community, and accountability and ownership.
Requirements
Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Creates welcoming and trauma-informed initial patient engagement experience including but not limited to introduction to Salud, services explanations, and eligibility verifications. Assists patients who are not eligible for Salud Behavioral Health services with follow-through of referrals and recommendations.
2. Serves as a front-line representative to help patients understand integrated care; provides telephone support and resources to patients, families, and community members who request Behavioral Health and/or Case Management services.
3. Offers exceptional care coordination skills that include warm hand-offs and closed-loop referrals by bridging communication between the health center, provider care team, and the patient.
4. Organizes and processes referral orders, providing outreach and engagement, including referral/record review and direct communication with patient regarding Behavioral Health, psychiatry, substance abuse, and Case Management programs.
5. In collaboration with the BH screener, supports initial screenings for BH and CM services to assess patient needs and coordinate to different level of care services internally or externally, in a calm, reassuring, and professional manner. If presented with a patient in crisis, will connect them to the appropriate Behavioral Health resources according to established protocols.
6. Implements skills gained from clinical and non-clinical trainings for mental health support staff, such as empathetic communication, motivational interviewing, crisis support, and de-escalation techniques. Maintains and protects patient confidentiality and privacy. Adheres to state and federal privacy laws.
7. Within 24 hours of service delivery, updates patient records and other documentation pertaining to patient outcomes, program data, and billing.
8. Coordinates the completion and processing of patient paperwork in a timely manner; including but not limited to: referral forms, medication and treatment authorizations, school forms, etc.

1. Monitors Behavioral Health task queue for order requests, appointments, follow-ups, requests for release of records, and other tasks.
2. Manages patient waitlists and schedules appointments, including with Salud partners. Makes reminder phone calls to patients scheduled for appointments.
3. Supports group therapy operations for various patient populations (depression, substance use, teen, etc.). Provide screening tools and check in forms to patients during group therapy; coordinate an assessment with BH provider for high-risk patients.
4. Follows up with patients who no-show, cancel or late cancel appointments. Documents patient communication in patient chart.
5. Coordinate with external partner organizations to facilitate patient continuum of care.
6. Verifies that prescriptions are received by pharmacies, supports providers and patients to ensure medications and refills are available for patient pickup.
7. Notifies patient that safety plans (if applicable) are ready, and coordinates discreet delivery of plans to the patient.
8. Assists eligible patients in identifying and applying for medications through their insurance formulary and the prescription assistance program.
9. Attends Behavioral Health team meetings as scheduled.
10. Links patient to additional Salud services and supports including but not limited to Community Health Services, group education programs, and health coaching.
11. Utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to resolving problems that affect patient's receipt of timely information and services.

20. Anticipates patient needs, delivers services, and responds to patients in a timely, accurate, courteous, respectful and friendly manner, and advocates for care that best serves the patient.
21.Performs under limited supervision with accountability.
22. Consistently adheres to and/or exceeds Salud's communication guidelines and expectations with co-workers and patients.
23. Performs other duties as assigned.
ABILITY TO:

• Use strong organizational skills to prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Maintain strict confidentiality.
• Be empathetic while communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to ensure effective communication with diverse audiences.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Think critically and work-independently

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Equivalent to a High School Diploma - AA Degree preferred
• At least 2 years of experience working in a clinical setting with therapists, nurses, and physicians
• Bilingual, Spanish/English required.
• Knowledge of electronic medical record systems, patient scheduling and billing systems.
• Strong understanding of patient confidentiality and HIPAA as it pertains to Behavioral Health
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Knowledge of health systems and processes.
• Valid CA Driver's License and current vehicle insurance; must be able to travel between sites.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Standing, walking, sitting, typing, reaching, moving and/or lifting up to 25 pounds.

SALARY & BENEFITS
Salary Range: $28.17 to $34.26 per hour.
Benefits: Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurances, Voluntary Life Insurance, Voluntary Long Term Disability, FSA for dependent care, 401(k) employer contribution, PTO and 12 Holidays.
**Salud is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Salud is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Salud Human Resources Department, [831-728-8250, and HRDept@splg.org].**
Salary Description
Salary Range: $28.17 to $34.26 per hour.