NextSteps Case Manager

Basic Function
The NextSteps Case Manager serves in a strategic function at Buckner Children and Family Services and is responsible for the coordination and provision of services to residents of Next Steps in Sober Independent Living and for the development of individualized case management.
Primary Responsibilities

Demonstrate respect, cultural competence, and knowledge of trauma-informed care interactions with participants, staff, and other community providers.
Uphold all residential and Next Steps program policies procedures, state contracts, and written agreements.
Develop case plan with individualized goals based on individual needs, and program requirements. Identify action steps necessary to achieve goals, and monitoring progress through scheduled follow up meetings.
Perform comprehensive assessment of participant needs.
Recommend the necessary level of intervention.
Complete all necessary admission/ referral and assessment paperwork, plan, and complete discharge paperwork for Residents in next Steps Cottage.
Develop and regularly monitor and modify resident case/ action plan as is appropriate for Residents in the Next Steps Cottage. Participate in the planning and execution of Life Skills as identified by the Next Steps team.
Coach and hold Residents accountable to program guidelines as outlined in Resident Handbook.
Hold case/ action plan meetings with Residents, including scheduled and walk-in appointments.
Monitor Case Planning appointments, schedule potential Residents interviews, and assess continued availability of Resident needs and the current occupancy list to make sure a maximum number of appointments are offered.
Work collaboratively to identify and assess escalating situations and respond with de-escalation/ trauma informed training techniques.
Maintain professional best practices in areas of document storage, confidentiality and professional ethics when dealing with Resident and Resident information.
Ensure completion of all required case documentation. Including but not limited to: case planning records, services, and case notes in Extended Reach including uploading vital documents and documents provided by outside agencies.
Document all meetings, referrals, and services in Extended Reach, utilize the appropriate program templates.
Attend and participate in meetings outlined in the BCFS communication framework and be prepared to present in meetings to address complex cases and needs.

Complete requested reports, spreadsheets and statistics as requested.
Communicates with DPFS, meets with placement agency case workers to discuss resident needs, facilitate Community Provider visits with residents. Completes case note documentation and any communication with outside agencies/partners.
Collaborate, communicate, and advocate with service providers in the Government, Medical, Mental Health, Housing, Benefits Acquisition, Employment, Legal etc. fields to aid Residents toward a successful transition into long-term programs, sustainable housing, or autonomy.
Collaborate with other Buckner personnel/ outside partners regarding Resident participation/ progress concerning goals, and continuity of care.
Report any abuse or neglect, and serious incidents as outlined in Employee Perspectives. Be knowledgeable on avenues of reporting.
Engage in ongoing training as assigned by your direct Supervisor and leadership team. Attend and participate in in-service training, including CPR/First Aid and other clinical related training as required.
Participate in care/ integration/ oversight of interns and volunteers as requested.
Work nights and weekends as required, provide “on-call” coverage and crisis intervention as needed.
Requires ability to provide personal transportation and other necessary travel to provide services to residents.
Seek to develop a continuing knowledge of the field, what services are provided in the community, and establishing communication with those entities

Other Responsibilities

Maintain compliance with all Buckner policies, procedures, and requirements. Maintain knowledge of and compliance with all state and federal laws and regulatory requirements.
Manage program resources to ensure they are used efficiently and appropriately aligned with approved business objectives.
Responsible for supporting and representing Buckner at special events, activities, and other assigned functions.
The position can function in a hybrid work arrangement but attendance in person at the office is required when requested.
Travel domestically and internationally as needed to monitor, assess, and help develop programs.
Attend and participate in meetings and training as required; facilitate meetings regularly as define by the communication framework and training as required.
Develop emerging leadership through professional growth and development.
Work successfully as a part of a team and responsible for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with co-workers.
Perform special assignments, projects, and other duties as required.

Education and Licensing Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in human services or another related field is required to perform essential job functions.
Minimum 2 years prior related experience required.
One year of documented experience in providing support services to youth and young adults who may have experienced child abuse and neglect, are in foster care, are homeless, are at-risk or have mental or behavioral health challenges; and Providing independent living services to youth and young adults.
Counseling and/or social work licensure is preferred.
Requires knowledge and understanding of the legalities involved with medical intervention.

Other Requirements

Requires ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform the essential functions of the position, including communication with clients, volunteers, and community partners, documentation, and collaboration with staff.
Requires excellent public speaking skills and the ability to communicate in a professional manner successfully and effectively with a multi-ethnic population base in the community; ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
Requires ability to hear and receive verbal instructions, answer phones, communicate with people in situations with some background noise.
Requires ability to effectively work under pressure and remain flexible as priorities change.
Requires ability to work under minimal supervision with awareness that error may have serious consequences; requires ability to exercise patience, initiative, and sound professional judgment.
Requires ability to work nights and weekends as required to meet business needs and provide services to clients.
Requires ability to understand and relate to the theories behind several related concepts; ability to remember verbal and written tasks/assignments from a few hours to long periods of time (months).
Requires ability to travel to various geographic locations and some overnight stays. Requires ability to obtain and maintain the necessary documentation to travel.
Requires jobholder to work before and after normal business hours, some nights and weekends, as needed to meet client and business needs including promptly responding to phone calls, text messages and emails; ability to be on call as assigned.
Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal vehicle, with an appropriate state license, following all laws applicable; must provide proof of liability insurance and must be eligible to be insured under Buckner’s insurance policy. Requires the ability to rent vehicles both domestically and internationally using required documentation. Must be age 22 or older to drive on behalf of Buckner for this role.
Requires ability to maintain confidentiality.
Proficient working knowledge and ability to accurately and timely operate and perform computer-related tasks with specific equipment and software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, required.
Requires recognition that the organization is a faith-based organization operating with a commitment to Christian principles.
Requires ability to use up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or 10 pounds continuously to move objects.
Requires ability to walk frequently; occasionally stand for prolonged periods of time; occasionally required to squat, climb stairs, kneel and twist. Required to sit for prolonged periods of time, including extensive airline travel.
Requires ability to speak clearly and make self-understood in face-to-face interactions; to articulate with extreme accuracy and precisions to give directions, speak on the phone, etc.
Requires ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Requires sufficient good health to properly discharge duties. Employees shall not be permitted to work who have infectious disease or skin lesion for the duration of the communicability.

Buckner Children and Family Services complies with all the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.