Behavioral Health Care Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY:

 The Behavioral Health Care Coordinator provides care coordination, referral management, discharge planning, and client support services for individuals requiring inpatient behavioral health treatment, including substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health (MH) services. This position serves as a liaison between clients, inpatient facilities, behavioral health providers, medical providers, tribal programs, community agencies, and family supports to ensure continuity of care and timely access to treatment services. Under general supervision, the Care Coordinator assists clients in navigating behavioral health systems, securing appropriate inpatient placements, coordinating transitions between levels of care, and reducing barriers to ongoing recovery and wellness. The position requires strong organizational skills, crisis response capabilities, and the ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing co-occurring disorders, acute behavioral health symptoms, trauma, homelessness, legal involvement, and other complex psychosocial needs.

 

*Special Requirements: A current negative TB test and/or medical documentation stating employee is not contagious. Must have no substance abuse for the past three (3) years and pass UA testing. Must pass pre-employment criminal background check.

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This list is intended only to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the position.

1. Attendance:
a. Be in attendance and on time.
b. Demonstrate reliable and consistent attendance.
c. Attend team meetings, consultations, supervision, trainings, and interdisciplinary staffing meetings.

2. Care Coordination and Case Management:
a. Coordinates inpatient psychiatric and substance use disorder treatment referrals for eligible clients.
b. Assists clients with admission processes for detoxification, inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, residential treatment, withdrawal management, and stabilization services.
c. Communicates and collaborates with inpatient treatment facilities regarding referrals, bed availability, clinical documentation, transportation, discharge planning, and continuity of care.
d. Assists clients in accessing medical, psychiatric, behavioral health, housing, legal, transportation, financial, and community support resources.
e. Coordinates transitions between inpatient, residential, outpatient, and community-based levels of care.
f. Provides support with treatment engagement, appointment coordination, and post-discharge follow-up services.
g. Maintains ongoing communication with behavioral health clinicians, medical providers, family members, and outside agencies as appropriate and authorized.
h. Assists with crisis response coordination and linkage to emergency behavioral health services when needed.
i. Helps clients identify barriers to treatment participation and supports development of individualized care plans and recovery goals.
j. Obtains releases of information and ensures continuity of care documentation is completed accurately and timely.
k. Coordinates transportation or travel arrangements related to inpatient treatment access when applicable.
l. Participates in multidisciplinary staffing meetings and care coordination activities.
m. Maintains accurate and timely documentation, referral records, progress notes, discharge summaries, and tracking logs in accordance with program, state, and federal requirements.
n. Provides culturally responsive and trauma-informed support services.
o. Advocates for client needs and assists clients in navigating complex behavioral health systems.

3. Safety:
a. Adheres to program safety policies and procedures.
b. Completes incident reports and documentation in a timely manner.
c. Responds appropriately to behavioral health crises within scope of training and program protocol.
d. Maintains awareness of mandatory reporting requirements and duty-to-warn obligations.

4. Communication:
a. Represents the Behavioral Health Program in a professional manner.
b. Maintains collaborative and respectful working relationships with clients, staff, families, inpatient providers, and community partners.
c. Maintains HIPAA compliance and confidentiality in all client interactions and documentation.
d. Demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and cultural sensitivity in all interactions.
e. Communicates effectively verbally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders.
f. Participates in internal and interdepartmental meetings as required.
g. Keeps Supervisor informed of significant client concerns, service barriers, and emerging behavioral health needs.

5. Other Duties:
a. May assist with transportation coordination and community outreach activities as needed.
b. Participates in required trainings, certifications, and professional development opportunities.
c. May assist with data collection, reporting, and quality improvement activities.
d. Performs other duties related to behavioral health coordination and program operations as assigned.
e. Because of the Tribe's commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

EDUCATION - EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, behavioral sciences, human services, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience serving children, adults, and/or families in behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, social services, healthcare, education, or related settings.
• Educational requirements may be substituted with full licensure or certification as a Washington State Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) and applicable behavioral health experience.

 

Special Requirements:

• A current negative TB test and/or medical documentation stating employee is not contagious.
• Must have no substance abuse for the past three (3) years and pass UA testing.
• Must pass pre-employment criminal background check.

 

Preferred:

• Experience coordinating inpatient mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment services
• Experience working with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
• experience working within tribal behavioral health systems or Indigenous communities
• knowledge of ASAM criteria, discharge planning processes, and behavioral health referral systems.
• Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP)
• Agency Affiliated Counselor
• Behavioral Health Case Manager certification
• Other applicable behavioral health credential pursuant to Washington State law.

 

SPECIFIC SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR POSITION:

Skills:

• Coordinating services across multiple systems and providers. Building rapport with high-acuity and vulnerable populations. Managing multiple priorities and documentation requirements. Verbal and written communication. Organization, time management, and problem solving. Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

 

Ability:

• Work independently while maintaining communication with supervisors and team members. Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality. Respond calmly and effectively in crisis situations. Advocate for client needs within behavioral health systems. Maintain accurate and timely documentation. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, providers, and community partners.

 

Knowledge:

• Behavioral health systems of care. Mental health and substance use disorder treatment services. HIPAA and confidentiality regulations. Trauma-informed and culturally responsive care principles. Crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques. Community resources and referral systems. Care coordination and discharge planning processes.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this class. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, lift, push, pull, and talk or hear; use hands to operate, finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.    The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.   

Licenses or Certifications Required: Valid WA State Drivers License