Adult Outpatient Community Support Case Manager
Department: Behavioral Health
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Barrington - OCR
Reporting To: Deidre Graustein
Compensation: $24.00 - $26.00 / hour
Description
The ACT- Adult General Outpatient Community Treatment Specialist provides wraparound case management services to clients who may need additional support and assistance, but whose DLA scores do not warrant placement at a more intensive level of care. The Community Treatment Specialist works collaboratively with clients and the treatment team to identify their needs, connect them with appropriate community resources, coordinate services, and support their overall stability and well-being.
The Community Treatment Specialist is the direct service backbone of EBCAP''s high acuity programs delivering wraparound case management, care coordination, and community-based support to adults living with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) and co-occurring disorders. As part of EBCAP''s transition to a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, the Specialist integrates support across medical, behavioral, vocational, and substance use domains to advance whole-person care.
Key Responsibilities
Care Coordination
- Serve as the primary care coordinator for a caseload of SPMI clients, managing the full scope of health home services including comprehensive care management, care coordination, health promotion, transitional care, and individual and family support.
- Assist clients in coordinating, transporting, accompanying and scheduling medical, dental and specialty appointments in collaboration with the team psychiatrist and nurse; assist with follow-through on treatment based on client needs.
- Support consistent medication adherence through direct assistance including scheduling deliveries, pharmacy accompaniment, phone prompting, medication monitoring, and motivational interviewing as appropriate.
- Assist the hospital liaison and/or team nurses to facilitate discharge planning and ensure clients are seen by a licensed provider within seven (7) days of any inpatient, partial hospitalization, or long-term care facility discharge.
- Provide counseling on chronic disease management, medication purpose, and symptom management aligned with the client''s primary and specialty care team''s guidance.
- Assist clients in securing and maintaining the necessities of daily life - food, housing, benefits, hygiene, transportation, financial management, and legal advocacy - to support the highest possible level of independence and safety.
Community Support & Advocacy
- Serve as a community liaison and advocate collaborating with schools, landlords, legal guardians, family members, DCYF, OOHA, law enforcement, judicial personnel, healthcare providers, and social service systems.
- Participate as an active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team, contributing to treatment planning meetings, case reviews, and collaborative care coordination.
- Maintain documentation, clinical paperwork, and productivity standards in compliance with CCBHC, BHDDH, Medicaid, Joint Commission, and organizational requirements; support preparation for BHDDH certification site visits.
- Immediately escalate to supervisor any safety concerns, significant declines in client functioning, unsafe or unsanitary living conditions, or other conditions outside acceptable norms.
- Provide assistance with grocery shopping where medically indicated under the direction of the client's medical and/or psychiatric providers (e.g., diabetes management).
Substance Use Support
- Assist clients in identifying triggers, building relapse prevention skills, and strengthening support systems.
- Conduct and supervise urine toxicology screens and breathalyzer tests as directed, including court-ordered supervised screens.
- Discuss the physical, medical, and pharmacological dimensions of substance use and recovery under the guidance of the client's substance use disorder providers.
Vocational Support
- Assess client's educational and vocational interests, capabilities, and readiness to refer to the Vocational Specialist
Organizational Participation
- Actively participate in ongoing education, training, and professional development relevant to the role and client population.
- Serve on organizational committees and workgroups as assigned.
- Support implementation of new or enhanced services, procedures, and policies as EBCAP evolves toward the CCBHC model.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
This is an entry-level role.
- Bachelor''s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field; or an associate's degree with a combination of education and relevant experience demonstrating the required knowledge and skills.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries and personal stability when working with high-acuity behavioral health populations in unsupervised community settings.
- Valid Rhode Island driver''s license with a clean driving record; proof of liability insurance. Driving record reviewed at hire and periodically thereafter.
- Ability to read, write, and communicate professionally in English.
Core Competencies
- Capacity to work independently with individuals in psychiatric crises, including those with active psychosis, suicidal ideation, or co-occurring substance use disorders, while maintaining sound judgment and de-escalation skills.
- Knowledge of community-based treatment and rehabilitation for individuals with SPMI.
- Working knowledge of BHDDH, Medicaid, CCBHC, and JCAHO standards applicable to this role.
- Demonstrated ability to build therapeutic relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Strong written and verbal communication; active listening and collaborative problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently in community settings and exercise sound clinical judgment.
- Proficiency with electronic health record documentation (NextGen or equivalent).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with working with clients with SPMI and co-occurring disorders in a community setting
- Bilingual fluency in Portuguese or Spanish and English (written and spoken).
- Familiarity with RI vocational benefit programs and supported employment frameworks.
This is a highly active, community-based role. The Community Treatment Specialist regularly travels to client homes, medical facilities, pharmacies, courts, and community settings throughout the service area, requiring extended periods of standing, walking, and driving. The role involves navigating varied environments including stairs, narrow spaces, and outdoor terrain in all weather conditions. The Specialist must be able to assist clients with tasks of daily living, which may include bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, and lifting up to 25 pounds using proper technique. The ability to sit for periods of documentation work, operate a computer and standard office equipment, and communicate clearly through speech and hearing is required. Specific vision requirements include close and distance vision, peripheral awareness, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Job Benefits
For Full-Time Employees Working 30-40 hours per week, EBCAP offers:
- Subsidized, comprehensive medical (BCBSRI) and dental (Delta Dental) insurance plans
- Supplemental vision insurance (Delta Dental)
- Voluntary medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Up to 3% matching 403(b) retirement plan (eligible after one year of service)
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Generous paid time off including vacation, holidays, personal days, and sick time
- Mileage reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employer-paid professional development
- Employee assistance program