Case Manager I

Case Manager I Community Health Care Starting Rate: $19.72/hour Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below: MAJOR FUNCTION Provides case management and needs assessments for indigent county residents through field, office, or home interviews to determine eligibility for the Polk HealthCare Plan and facilitate referrals to appropriate community resources. ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES Client Assessment & Case Management Conducts client interviews in the office, field, or home settings to assess eligibility for medical and social service programs. Evaluates financial, social, environmental, and medical factors to determine eligibility for county assistance. Provides counseling and problem-solving support to clients; assists with referrals to appropriate programs and community agencies. Offers case management services and acts as a client advocate to support self-sufficiency. Refers ineligible individuals to alternative resources and assists in locating outside aid. Program Knowledge & Compliance Interprets and applies county, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations related to social services and the Polk HealthCare Plan. Provides education and explanation to clients regarding available services, including HIPAA regulations and county health benefits. Coordinates with medical personnel and social service agencies to ensure appropriate service delivery. Documentation & Reporting Gathers, writes, and reviews documentation related to client eligibility and services. Inputs case data into software systems; prepares case notes, reports, correspondence, and required forms. Assists in compiling data for program evaluation, budgeting, provider payments, and reporting needs. Community Engagement & Collaboration Collaborates with law enforcement, attorneys, judges, and other stakeholders to advocate for and meet client needs. Attends inter-agency meetings to share information and improve service delivery. Participates in special projects and community outreach efforts as assigned. Additional Responsibilities May perform crisis intervention in emergency or high-risk situations. May work evenings or weekends as required. Performs other related duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS Case Management & Client Interaction Knowledge of case management practices and counseling techniques. Skill in interviewing and evaluating clients under stressful conditions. Ability to manage crisis situations with empathy and composure. Strong decision-making and independent judgment. Program Knowledge Understanding of social service programs at the federal, state, and county levels, including eligibility criteria and application procedures. Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, rules, and regulations to client cases. Familiarity with community resources and referral procedures. Communication & Collaboration Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to prepare accurate reports, documentation, and correspondence. Ability to work effectively with clients, coworkers, and the public. Ability to maintain positive, professional relationships across agencies. Technical & Organizational Skills Proficiency in standard office equipment and personal computers. Ability to learn and use specialized software programs. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data for service planning and decision-making. Physical & Other Requirements Visual capabilities and ability to lift/move up to 30 pounds. Valid Florida driver’s license: ability to drive and provide own transportation. Ability to work in various locations and settings throughout Polk County. Must be able to work in potentially stressful or emergency situations. Subject to Level 2 (FDLE) background screening. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Associate’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or a related field. Two (2) years of experience in social services, case management, counseling, or related interviewing. A valid Florida driver’s license is required. OR Four (4) years of relevant training and experience in social services may substitute for education requirements (excluding driver's license requirement). SPECIAL PREFERENCE Bilingual (English to Spanish) preferred. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Must provide own transportation; personal injury protection insurance is required. Must be available to work at various locations throughout the county. Participation in disaster response efforts (e.g., Special Care Shelter, Emergency Operations Center) is required. This may involve extended deployments, including overnight stays and extended shifts. Must maintain a home telephone (or equivalent contact method) and remain on-call as needed. Must pass and maintain FDLE Level 2 background screening. All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.