Case Manager

Make a Difference Where It Counts!

At our 22-bed Behavioral Health Hospital, every role plays a vital part in changing lives, strengthening our community, and delivering care that truly matters.

Case Manager

Department: Social Services
Reports To: Social Services Director
Supervises: None
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
LOF Support: LOF 4

Skill Checkoff Appraisals

See attached.

Mentoring Checklist Form

Non-Licensed.

Position Summary

In accordance with Joint Commission standards, federal and state regulations, Freedom's mission, policies and procedures, and Performance Improvement (PI) standards, the Case Manager is responsible for coordinating with admission and clinical staff to facilitate meeting patients' treatment needs.

The Case Manager assumes responsibility for discharge planning and utilization review activities throughout the patient's stay in the program. Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating discharge planning and utilization review activities.
• Contacting referral sources and family members to gather clinical information for the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Reporting pertinent information to the treatment team.
• Facilitating communication among members of the medical and clinical staff.
• Accurately documenting findings and data in the medical record to support the level and intensity of services rendered.
• Functioning as an active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team and assisting with treatment team processes.
• Serving as the primary contact for payer sources and coordinating communication between medical/clinical staff and referral sources, families, and payer representatives regarding admission and continued-stay criteria.
• Communicating with patients, families, and referral sources to support positive treatment outcomes.
• Maintaining departmental performance improvement activities and participating in Quality Management (QM) initiatives.
• Adhering to the highest ethical standards regarding patient care and patient rights.
• Facilitating communication with outside agencies to ensure patients' rights, care needs, and treatment requirements are met.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

While performing job duties, the employee may occasionally be exposed to:

• Fumes or airborne particles
• Cleaning chemicals
• Dust, mist, and steam generated through housekeeping activities
• Moderate to high noise levels

This is a smoke-free workplace.

Work is performed primarily indoors (approximately 75% or more of the time), providing protection from weather conditions but not necessarily temperature changes.

Employees must provide documentation of a tuberculosis (TB) test during new-hire orientation and annually thereafter.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to stand for moderate periods of time, potentially 60–80% of a work shift.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods, up to four (4) hours.
• Walking and standing are regularly required.
• Lifting and carrying may exceed 10 pounds.

Additional Work Environment Characteristics

• Performing repetitive tasks and motions
• Hearing alarms, telephones, and normal speaking voices
• Working in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions
• Exposure to stress resulting from the psychiatric and crisis-care environment

Physical Functions Required

Reaching: Extending hands and arms in any direction.

Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hands.

Fingering: Picking, pinching, and otherwise working primarily with the fingers.

Feeling: Perceiving size, shape, temperature, and texture through touch, particularly with fingertips.

Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas through spoken communication.

Hearing: Perceiving sounds by ear.

Seeing: Obtaining visual impressions of shape, size, distance, motion, and other characteristics of objects, including:

• Near and far visual acuity
• Depth perception
• Field of vision
• Accommodation
• Color vision

Exposure Category

Category II: Tasks involve potential exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or tissues.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology preferred; or
• Nursing education

Licensure

• Nursing License, Social Worker License, or other applicable professional credential

Experience

• One (1) or more years of experience coordinating utilization review and discharge planning activities

Additional Requirements

• Effective verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Analytical problem-solving abilities
• Ability to read and comprehend written instructions
• Ability to follow verbal instructions
• Proficient computer skills, including PC applications
• Basic understanding of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria
• Basic understanding of medical and psychiatric diagnoses and conditions

Required Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Government-issued Photo ID
• Social Security Card and/or Driver's License
• Primary source verification of education
• Copy of clinical license (if applicable)
• CPR Certification
• Behavioral Management Training

Freedom Behavioral Hospital of Leesville provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.