Service Coordinator

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is hiring a Service Coordinator who will provide mental health or family support service coordination services, according to the level of need, to a population of serious and persistent consumers as described by the most recent Pennsylvania Bulletins regarding Blended Service Coordination, and in accordance with the Allegheny County MH/MR Plan. The Service Coordinator will be responsible for the performance of the General Service Coordination duties as well as the specific duties as assigned to each level of service. The primary function of the Service Coordination Unit is to provide the person with serious mental health or family support issues with professional assessment, service planning, service coordination, referral, and re-evaluation services required for a safe and healthy community life which is manifested through stability in relationships, housing and employment. The development of enduring relationships with those served is critical, with persistent outreach, being the central contact point in the system, coordinating care and assisting the person in their recovery or support process. This position provides an essential recovery orientation.

Responsibilities:

• *Performs other duties as assigned.

• *Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.

• All Service Coordinators are required to participate in the On Call Service per department guidelines.

• Fosters an agency culture of cooperation by focusing on problem resolution and activities that support the agency mission, communicating information to the staff, participating with other staff on selected special projects, cooperating with agency personnel to facilitate program operations.

• Utilizes at least 55% of available time in service to individuals being served.

• Provides twenty-four (24) hour availability for Service Coordination individuals and/or families through phone and face-to-face contacts. On site for all in-patient MH or support commitments. Ensures that all alternatives to hospitalization have been considered. Coordinates intervention when hospitalization is required.

• SINGLE POINT OF ACCOUNTABILITY (SPA).Be the go-to resource for the person served and his/her family and the system of care. Assure that there are effective 'safety net resources for the persons served. Clearly communicate to the person what they can expect from the system and what the system will expect of them. Assure there is periodic assessment & cross-system planning to meet the needs while utilizing their strengths. Prepare for, convene/facilitate service planning meetings and provide follow-up after meetings. Assure there is cross system coordination of services and that services are being provided. Develop relationships that endure with persistent outreach even when there is reluctance to receive services. Assist the person served in developing and using natural supports. Be a persistent advocate for those served and give feedback on systemic problems. Provide a consistent positive outlook which encourages recovery and full inclusion in the community.

• BLENDED LEVEL OF SERVICE COORDINATION Ensures the frequency of contact with the individual being served (or the parents if the individual is a child or adolescent) is based on the individuals needs, but at the very least once a month. Provide a full range of Service Coordination services to a designated caseload maximum of 30 individuals for adults and 25 for children.

• Maintains an accurate and timely record of Service Coordination activity. Records individuals being served and collateral contacts. Updates forms as needed. Reviews charts for compliance with regulations. Prepares for formal audits.

• Attends training programs as provided through the State, County and Agency to assure that the incumbent is up to date on new approaches, best practices and recovery oriented services.

• Advocates for and with the individual being served to ensure responsiveness from natural, community generic and specialized services/supports. Advocacy includes providing information, removing barriers, creating options and resolving problems.

• Investigates new resources and communicates with Directors of prospective resources as a liaison on behalf of the individual being served. Maintains an up-to-date catalog of available community resources, including location, eligibility requirements and program alternatives.

• Provides culturally competent services with consideration for the individual's racial, religious, sex, sexual orientation, age and ethnic background and identification.

• Ensures individuals being served needs are met through the utilization of natural supports (family, friends), community and generic services and specialized services (MH/MR, supported employment, OVR, D&A). Assists individual and family to identify, link, access and coordinate such resources.

• Evaluates all service received by individuals who are served by the Service Coordination program. Reviews cases, meets with individuals' families, members of the treatment team, agency directors, advocates, attorneys, school personnel and attends staffing in or out of the office.

• Convenes and facilitates interdisciplinary service planning meetings or other related team meetings to ensure appropriateness and responsiveness of services in relation to individual and/or family needs.

• In close collaboration with the consumer, family members and other service providers, promotes service planning efforts which result in developing, documenting and implementing a comprehensive service plan driven by the individual utilizing all agreed upon strengths and needs.

• Assesses individual and family strengths and needs in a collaborative method through individual and/or collateral interviews and reviews of social and clinical information provided by other entities. The development of an assessment is based on an understanding and trusting relationship, that needs and strengths vary over time and are evaluated in every contact (face to face and phone).

• Develops relationships with the individual, his/her family and other important people in his/her life. This engagement will be persistent and will result in an enduring relationship. The persistence is evident in frequent outreach and genuine concern over a lengthy period of time.

• Provides professional coordination of mental health or family support services according to the individual's level of need and works as a member of a treatment/service team, often taking the lead role, and using considerable discretion and independent judgment in order to promote individuals' mental health or support recovery.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services field such as Social Work, Psychology or Counseling required.

• Other fields of study may be considered with coursework of at least 12 credits in Human Services.

• One year related experience preferred.

• Prior experience working in community settings preferred.

• Safe driving record required.

• May in the course of their duties be in rooms where medications are stored or may transport medications when they transport patients.

• Transportation of medication is limited from one department to another.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

• Driver's License

• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal

• Act 33 with renewal

• Act 34 with renewal

• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran