Intake Specialist - SAGE

Description

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Office Day

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits:   Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA),   ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan 

About DESC:

DESC   (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization  working  to help people with the complex needs of homelessness,  substance use  disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their  highest potential  for health and well-being through comprehensive  services, treatment, and  housing. Our vision is a community where no  person is abandoned,  ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As  the region's leading  provider of services to multiply disabled adults  who have experienced  chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 2,000  people each day. Our  integrated service model is designed to help  people secure and maintain  appropriate, safe and affordable housing.  DESC is recognized nationally  and regionally as an innovator in  developing solutions to homelessness.

JOB DEFINITION:

The Intake Specialist will assume primary responsibility for receiving referrals to the SAGE Team and performing timely eligibility screening and intake activities associated with enrollment of a potential client into DESC mental health services. Develop and implement initial goal planners/treatment plans. Provide case management services to all clients until fully transferred to a primary case manager. Assure clients are made aware of their rights and that these rights are protected. All work will be done in close coordination with Clinical Supervisors, administrative support staff, and Director of Clinical Programs. Minority applicants are encouraged to apply. Spanish speaking is a plus.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Intake & Assessment:

• Maintain clear instructions and methods by which referrals may be reliably made by other DESC program staff, the legal/justice system, hospitals, other service providers, and potential clients referring themselves.
• In compliance with Federal, Washington State and King County regulations and procedures, conduct eligibility screening and intake assessment of potential clients.
• Verify Medicaid status or eligibility as a person not receiving Medicaid to be enrolled in the King County Mental Health Plan.
• Conduct intake evaluations and psychosocial assessments with consumer participation.
• Develop initial goal planners/treatment and crisis plans.
• Facilitate linkages to collaborative resources when appropriate.
• Acquire information from client and other sources as psychosocial assessment form indicates.
• Obtain ROIs as needed in order to obtain the fullest possible history of key life domains.
• Identify client strengths, coping strategies and deficits to be incorporated into the treatment plan.
• Review consent to treatment and rights with client; assure client has signed relevant forms.
• Maintain complete and current log demonstrating referrals made and the outcome of each.
• If the client so wishes, make a referral to another agency if more appropriate treatment/service is available.
• Provide crisis intervention and risk assessment; tolerate unusual or unpleasant behavior.
• Document services provided. 

Initial Goal/Treatment Planning:

• Develop initial goal planner/treatment plan in compliance with WACs and King County Policy & Procedures. This is to be done in cooperation with the client, as they are able and willing.
• Create and submit initial crisis plan for after-hours crisis services. 

Case Management:

• Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing case management and crisis services to new clients.
• As needed, assist clients and potential clients by providing relevant resource information and direct assistance in obtaining key resources such as food, shelter, financial and Medicaid entitlements, hospitalization, health care, etc.
• Consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Coordinate with other DESC programs making referrals to the SAGE team in order to assure successful transition of consumers to long-term case management.
• Assure linkage to psychiatric services is established.
• Refer to, and coordinate with, DESC chemical dependency program as needed.
• Participate in psychiatric consultations, clinical supervisions, program meetings, and in-service trainings of mental health program staff; participate in cli