JOB DEFINITION
The HOST Intensive Case Manager is a member of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for
providing outreach, engagement and on-going case management services to homeless and
mentally ill adults. Some services will be facility-based, but many will be provided on the
streets, in shelters and service centers as assigned.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing outreach, engagement and ongoing
intensive case management services to a small case load of homeless adults with
severe & persistent mental disorders and/or co-occurring mental health/substance use
disorders.
· Conduct intake evaluations and mental health assessments; with client participation, develop
support and treatment plans; facilitate linkages to long-term treatment resources when
appropriate.
· Assume primary responsibility for coordinating all aspects of clients' support and treatment
plans. This includes providing and/or coordinating the following: survival services with a focus
on access to food, shelter and clothing; fastest possible acquisition and stabilization of
housing; acute and ongoing medical care, psychiatric treatment, financial assistance, criminal
justice system coordination, and substance abuse treatment.
· Advocate for clients' access to community resources and services, ensuring that clients' needs
are met and rights maintained; consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure
continuity of care.
· Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with DESC staff and other service and
resource organizations to ensure full continuity of care for clients.
· Interact with general client population; intervene in crisis situations with individual clients and
screen clients for HOST eligibility when appropriate.
· Participate in education of service community regarding the needs of homeless clients with
mental illnesses/co-occurring disorders, techniques of engagement and service provision.
· Provide outreach and engagement services, as assigned, on the streets, in shelters and, on
occasion, in outlying King County areas. Efforts are balanced between initial outreach and
follow-up activity.
· Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with current programs providing services for
homeless and mentally ill persons. Encourage development of new services.
· Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings;
participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for clients on caseload.
· Comply with the agency's clinical accountability policies and procedures; maintain current and
complete clinical records; participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned.
· Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
· Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
? For Case Manager I: BA degree in a social or behavioral science or relevant field.
Equivalent relevant experience may be substituted for degree requirement, if necessary to
meet specific staffing needs.
? For Case Manager II: Masters degree in a social or behavioral science or relevant field AND
two years post-graduate experience with chronically mentally ill adults who have similar
backgrounds as DESC clients. Equivalent relevant experience may not be substituted for
degree requirement.
? Interest or experience in working with clients who are difficult to engage and refer to
traditional programs.
? Proof of Washington Registered Counselor Status, and/or other relevant professional
registration/license.
? Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
? Must have a Washington Driver’s License and if have a car, current auto insurance.
? Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of
consideration and respect for clients.
? Experience working with adults who are homeless, have a mental illness and substance
abuse
? MSW or relevant Masters degree, Bi-lingual English/Spanish, but not required.
? Mental Health Professional preferred
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
E-mail a Cover Letter and Resume (in Word document) to hr@desc.org, or mail to DESCICM
ATTN: Human Resources, 515 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, or fax to (206) 515-1501.
The Downtown Emergency Service Center is committed to diversity in the workplace, and
promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will
not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed,
color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, or the presence of any sensory,
mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide
occupational qualification. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.