Aging & Disability Case Manager

Job Summary:

This position would be a combination of office work, field work, and working from home, with a minimum of two days per week either in the field or office.   

We are seeking advocates of racial equity and social justice, who value a relational work culture. If you are passionate about helping individuals in need, and advocating for resources so they can live their best lives, then, this may be a great opportunity for your next step in your career! 

Case Managers are critical positions of our organization, working directly with individual clients to conduct electronic comprehensive client in-person assessments, complete follow-up site visits, and develop individual service plans designed to improve the quality of life for all clients served - older adults and adults with disabilities. (Note: Aging and Disability Services (ADS) is a case management program and does not provide direct mental health or other medical counseling.)

Essential Duties:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments in client’s home; gather and review medical information to include but not limited to diagnoses, medical conditions, medications, treatment(s), psych/social information, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).
• Work with clients who are experiencing chronic, complex medical, and/or behavioral health issues.
• Manage approximately 75-90 client caseload; develop care plans and document client activities, contacts, and ensure accuracy of client record. Monitor cases on a continuous basis and work with interpreters as needed. Current hiring efforts are aimed at collaborating to reduce caseloads. 
• Review financial eligibility, evaluate client assessment data with healthcare professionals, mental health providers, nursing staff, and others. Include professional staff in the development of the plan of care and modifying the plan as needed.
• Connect clients and caregivers to needed services, e.g., substance use treatment, mental health, and medical care.
• Assist with and/or arranging equipment or transportation.
• Advocate with agencies or persons to help clients receive appropriate benefits or services.
• Assist clients with recruiting, contracting, and termination of their individual personal providers and/or home care agency. Monitor individual provider and home care agency provider performance.
• Authorize and adjust payment for client-approved Medicaid-funded services or terminate in the State of Washington electronic records such as Comprehensive Assessment Reporting Evaluation (CARE) and ProviderOne.
• Assist clients enrolled in the DSHS New Freedom program with their budgets, spending plans, and payment authorizations with use of the web portal.
• Assist with placements in nursing, assisted living, and adult family homes, etc., assessments and/or termination planning. Close case management services when indicated.
• Provide witness testimony during client and independent provider client appeal process.
• Maintain work standards to ensure compliance with DSHS Quality Assurance and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) expectations.

Core Competencies:

• Perform racial equity and social justice advocacy, addressing systemic inequities that impact the clients and communities ADS serves. 
• Possessing non-judgmental attitude and active listening and critical thinking are essential. 
• Value a relational work culture and individual differences. Respond with cultural sensitivity when serving clients, and work to build relationships to best serve, regardless of cultural background, age, gender, literacy skills level or disability.
• Passionate about helping individuals in need, advocating for resources so they can live their best lives and thrive.
• Enthusiastic lifelong learner who continuously strives to grow and develop.  Whether attending training, receiving constructive feedback, or when differences in opinion occur, you embrace these experiences as learning opportunities and strive to develop your own professional competence.
• When faced with multiple competing demands, you possess the ability to triage and prioritize clients’ needs and competing work assignments, so they are addressed in a timely manner.
• You are adaptive to change and skilled at crisis intervention, managing conflict, and problem-solving.
• When faced with challenging work, you possess the skill and ability to practice self-care to promote and maintain a healthy work-life balance to ensure optimal health and well-being.

Education and Experience:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Services, Psychology, or a related field (or an equivalent combination of education, experience, training and/or work experience required). Note: If using an equivalency to meet the education requirement, job offer is contingent on waiver approval from DSHS Aging and Long-Term Care Administration (ALTSA) for Case Manager Trainee role.
• Experience: Three years’ social services experience involving interviewing, counseling, or crisis intervention.
• Certification/License: Driver’s license for the ability to make on-site visits to clients and attend meetings and trainings.
• Special Requirements: Selected candidates are required to pass a background check, medical clearance, and meet state guidelines for education (Bachelor’s or equivalency with waiver for Case Manager Trainee role).

Work Environment:

• All staff are currently required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination prior to hiring. The use of personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to COVID-19 may be required in the future should exposure warrant it.

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About Lifelong:

Lifelong is a community health organization committed to removing barriers to health with relentless compassion so that no one faces illness and injustice alone.

We lead with heart. Our respect for people drives our mission. For 40 years, Lifelong has fought health inequities so that everyone can have the opportunity to thrive. Our comprehensive services include food and nutrition, healthcare navigation, aging and disability support, and connection to housing and other vital resources.

We are looking for passionate, dedicated people to join our talented team and make real, meaningful changes in the daily lives of those living with chronic and life-threatening illnesses in their community. Lifelong offers exceptional benefits, including paid time off, medical and dental coverage in addition to a balanced work-life integration.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Lifelong, we are dedicated to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

EEO Statement:

Lifelong is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and experience that recognizes diversity and cultural competence as integral components of what we do.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and as such, we do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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DISCLAIMER: INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are an integral part of a compensation system, effective performance review system, related promotion, transfer, layoff, etc. decisions.

All descriptions have been reviewed to illustrate the job functions and basic duties, in addition to peripheral tasks or that could generally be considered as other duties as assigned.

In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities and requirements be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. Requirements, skills and abilities included have been determined to illustrate the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions.