PEER COUNSELOR/CASE MANAGER AIDE (PSYCHIATRY), GS-640, 5 Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM)

I. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent is assigned to participate in an assertive case management program, MHICM. The incumbent is an active member of that team in providing intensive community care for Seriously Mentally Ill veterans. The incumbent may perform any/all of the following duties:

a. Responsible for assisting clients in maintaining self-care needs.

b. Responsible for developing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship with clients so that he/she can identify emotional, psychiatric or behavioral changes which requires intervention and treatment. The incumbent resolves the problems or referral is made to the appropriate clinical staff.

c. Provides input to staff meetings and interdisciplinary treatment planning, with suggestions and observations of clients and their treatment.

d. Responsible for assuring clients attend activities and appointments which will require use of public transportation and transporting clients in a government vehicle.

e. Conducts client therapeutic and learning activities with clinical supervision.

f. Conducts client teaching and encourages participation.

g. Provides crisis intervention, understanding and utilizing emergency response procedures.

h. Documents client behavioral and emotional progress or changes using charting methods consistent with the Medical Center and MHICM Program Policies and Procedures. Also documents assessments, collects data and tracks clients.

II. FACTOR 1. KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

a. Knowledge and skill sufficient for conducting effective relationships with mentally ill clients, including education regarding reality orientation, one-to-one and large group interaction techniques.

PEER COUNSELOR/CASE MANAGER AIDE (PSYCHIATRY)

b. Knowledge and skill sufficient to observe behavior problems and illnesses of the mentally ill for the purpose of documentation and communication with members of the treatment team.

c. Knowledge and skill to teach and engage in problem solving and anger management with mentally ill and/or disruptive clients.

d. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness and the ability to intervene with emotional behavioral changes.

e. Knowledge and skills sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and teach those skills to severely mentally ill individuals.

f. Knowledge and skills sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and teach those skills to severely mentally ill individuals.

g. A valid, uncontested, State of Ohio motor vehicle operator’s license.

III. FACTOR 2. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:

The incumbent is under the general supervision of the Manager, MHICM Program or his/her designee. The incumbent is expected to handle routine administrative and rehabilitation duties independently, exercising independent judgment for resolving problems. Unique or unusual situations are referred to the immediate supervisor or appropriate clinical staff. The incumbent is expected to establish priorities for his/her own assignments. Work is reviewed by assessing the process and outcomes of the tasks and interventions.

IV. FACTOR 3. GUIDELINES:

a. The incumbent relies on a variety of written policy and procedural guidelines for administrative and clinical issues as well as traditional practices. The clinical guidelines are often general in nature reuireing interpretation in their application to specific situation.

b. Maintains current valid State driver’s license.

PEER COUNSELOR/CASE MANAGER AIDE (PSYCHIATRY)

V. FACTOR 4. COMPLEXITY:

a. Work consists of selecting from a variety of interventions bases upon client need and setting and applying those interventions to assist the client in achieving stated specific goals.

b. Work also requires the ability to prioritize tasks based on time, resources and importance of goals.

c. Communication with clients, medical center and community agency staff is an on-going responsibility.

VI. FACTOR 5 SCOPE AND EFFECT:

a. Work assignments involve carrying out prescribed treatment procedures that contribute to client treatment.

b. Work assignments also impact program and medical center activities in the services of providing excellent patient care.

VII. FACTOR 6. PERSONAL CONTACTS:

Contacts are with designated clients, their families and sponsors, supporting Medical Center Personnel, members of the MHICM treatment team and community contacts, i.e. CRC Sponsors, Center for Life Management Staff and community health board agencies.

VIII. FACTOR 7. PURPOSE OF CONTACTS:

Contacts with the clients are for the purpose of influencing and assisting them in managing their emotional and behavioral symptoms and teaching them independent living skills. Contacts with families and sponsors are for the purpose of intervening or providing of treatment activities. Contacts with Medical Center Personnel are for the purpose of accessing services. Contacts with members of the treatment team are for the purpose of providing and receiving information concerning the treatment plan. Contacts within the community are for the purpose of assisting the clients in enhancing independent living skills.

IX. FACTOR 8. PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work requires regular and recurring periods of standing, walking, lifting and accessing transportation and driving a government car or van.

PEER COUNSELOR/CASE MANAGER AIDE (PSYCHIATRY)

X. FACTOR 9. WORK ENVIRONMENT:

a. Work will be performed in a wide range of settings, including within the medical center; in client, group or family homes; in community-based outpatient clinics; in community agency settings; or in transport vehicles (public or government). Work areas are often noisy, irregular and unpredictable and can be stressful at times.

b. Clients present psychiatric mixed responses to treatment, i.e. acute symtomatology, unstable relationships and living situations.