Clinical Case Manager
Location:
Amherst, MA
Open Date:
Sep 14, 2018
Description:
Amherst College invites applications for the Clinical Case Manager position. The Clinical Case Manager is a full-time, year round position, job group and level PT-4. The Counseling Center provides a variety of services to help students address the challenges and difficulties they face. These services are designed to help students (1) overcome mental illnesses or learn how to cope effectively with them, (2) understand themselves better (3) create and maintain satisfying relationships (4) improve their academic performance and cognitive functioning and (5) make healthy and satisfying career and life choices.
The Clinical Case Manager reports to the Director of the Counseling Center. The primary purpose of this position is to enhance student success by providing direct case management services, crisis intervention, and clinical services. In addition, this position provides consultation to Amherst community members, preventative and educational outreach initiatives, and administrative support of the case management program.
The position relates to the College's mission by directly intervening with students to help them manage problems or skill deficits that may otherwise lead them to drop out of school or cause disruptions in other areas of the College. This position works collaboratively and cooperatively with community and college departments that serve students.
The position takes appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
Due to the nature of the position, early mornings, evenings and weekends may be required.
Key Responsibilities
Case Management
- Develops and implements systems for follow-up with students who have been referred to community resources (therapists, psychiatrists, clinics).
- In coordination with Counseling Center staff, OSA Case Management and/or other appropriate treatment teams, assists and supports students in accessing services from community resources for outpatient mental health care. Examples include scheduling phone appointments for students who need referral information, meeting with students to overcome barriers to accessing community resources, scheduling appointments with off-campus providers when referred by Counseling Center staff, and providing case management for students who may need multiple services across campus.
- Assists students who have been hospitalized for mental illness transition successfully back to Amherst College by assisting with discharge planning, coordinating follow-up care, and facilitating students access to appropriate services on- and off-campus.
- Assists and collaborates with counseling staff in treatment and disposition planning for students with complex mental health needs, particularly for those students who are frequent users of urgent-care appointments.
- Creates and maintains a comprehensive referral database for mental health providers throughout the State of Massachusetts and will assist students in finding mental health care in their home states.
- Maintains appropriate records and documentation of case management activities.
Crisis Assessment & Intervention
- Provides on-call, urgent care, and triage counseling for students with urgent or emergency concerns. Will provide appropriate referrals for on-going counseling or other mental health supports.
- Provides follow up for all after-hours calls, assisting callers the next business day to access support resources on- and off-campus.
- Supports clinical staff during hospitalizations by serving as a consultant, and assisting with task associated with hospitalizations, such as Section 12-A paperwork, calls to police or hospital emergency department staff to alert them to the incoming student, etc.
Administrative
- Attend and participate in regular on-call rotations (about 2-3 weeks per semester), staff meetings, and case conferences.
- Supports the Amherst Student Care Team and maintains Care team records within the Counseling Center EMR.
Consultation
- Consults with members of the Amherst College community — including faculty, administration, staff, parents and students —regarding mental health needs of students.
- Consults with on-and off-campus health care providers, including Student Health Services, OSA case management, hospitals, community mental health agencies, and private practitioners, etc. to help coordinate care.
- Supports the Amherst Student Care Team by attending weekly meetings, consulting with this team about mental health issues, and conducting appropriate follow up.
Counseling
- May maintain a small counseling caseload (1-2 clients). Provides brief psychotherapy/counseling to students with complex mental health concerns. Counseling may include non-traditional methods, including but not limited to, conducting workshops and other group sessions off-site. Writes case reports and makes referrals.
- Group Counseling. Facilitates therapy, psycho-education, and skill-based groups for students.
Outreach and/or Mental Health Promotion
- Builds liaison relationships with off-campus mental health providers, private practitioners, hospitals and inpatient units, and other community partners.
- Builds relationship with Amherst College partners, with the goal of assuring continuity of care for Counseling Center students.
Qualifications:
Required
- Earned Masters of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program
- Holds a license as a LICSW, or is eligible for licensure as a LICSW within 6 months of employment.
- Three years of professional experience as a case manager
- Able to work in a brief treatment model in a fast-paced environment
- Advanced knowledge of case management best practices
- Outstanding crisis assessment and management skills
- Thorough understanding of college mental health and current challenges college students face, including increases in serious mental illness
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience with community development and/or mental health promotion
- Outstanding ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and off-campus agencies for the effective delivery of services to student
- Demonstrated ability to work well with a diverse student body in culturally competent ways
- Demonstrated understanding of the intersections of racism, poverty and mental health
- A demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity
- Outstanding verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Independent thinking and critical decision-making skills
Preferred:
- Work experience in college or university settings and/or in community mental health
- Bilingual, capable of performing the responsibilities/duties in two languages including English
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (email and/or telephone numbers) for three professional references. We will begin reviewing applications on 10/5/18, and will continue until the position is filled.
ABOUT AMHERST COLLEGE
Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a town of approximately 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college’s community is composed of about 1,800 students from 48 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 54 countries around the world, and about 1,000 staff and faculty. The college’s scenic 1,000-acre campus includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book & Plow Farm; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum, Beneski Museum of Natural History and Mead Art Museum; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium. The town of Amherst offers an amazing variety of coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment, and a very active outdoor life. Our vibrant campus, diverse community and beautiful surrounding, makes Amherst College and the Town of Amherst the perfect place to work, learn and live!