DRUG AND ALCOHOL CASE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST TRAINEE L0685

DEFINITION: This is professional work of a trainee nature in the field of drug and alcohol providing a full range of case management services under the supervision of a higher level professional.

Employees in this class participate in a formalized training program in order to acquaint them with the functions of drug and alcohol case management. The training, which is a combination of formalized instruction as well as on-the-job training, is geared to providing the employee with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to provide a full range of case management services to alcohol and other drug clients. As training progresses employees are given more latitude in terms of identifying, referring and authorizing appropriate services for the alcohol and other drug clients in order to ensure that they have access to services in a continuum of care. Employees receive intensive training in assessment practices and techniques used and begin to assess the needs of clients to determine the level of care, and develop acceptable services plan. Employees receive training and work towards sharpening their interpersonal skills in order to enable them to develop a rapport with the client they are serving, and become a client advocate so as to assist them throughout the provisions in their services plan. Employees begin to monitor client progress in the treatment system. Employees receive training in the appropriate regulations, policies and procedures and are encouraged to develop skills involving initiative and independent judgement. As training progresses the employees are responsible for managing a small caseload of clients and are expected to carry out the administration of this caseload under direct and close supervision. Supervision is received from a higher level case manager or from a supervisory or administrative staff member.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Learns appropriate assessment practices and techniques in order to obtain necessary information from clients, family and/or involved collaterals for the identification of service needs for drug and alcohol related problems.

Receives training and assists in the determination of the level of care required based on placement guidelines.

Receives training and assists in the determination of appropriate funding arrangements and learns to authorize or recommend services for alcohol or other drug clients.

Receives training and assists in the orientation of clients to the program, policy, procedures and treatment process.

Learns to develop and implement a client service plan based on the results obtained from the assessment process.

Develops skills in writing and analysis in order to update the client service plan as required.

Receives training and assists in the coordination and provision of access to available alcohol and other drug and ancillary services, such as housing, child care, medical and financial services.

Learns to conduct client follow-ups at required intervals.

Participates in monitoring client treatment progress and/or the performance of utilization review activity.

Develops skills in serving as an advocate for client.

Performs other related duties as required.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL CASE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST TRAINEE (CON’T.)

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of social case work principles and methods.

Knowledge of addiction as a disease and its treatment.

Knowledge of current social, economic and health problems.

Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with clients from various cultures and social economic backgrounds.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to interpret regulations, policy and procedures and apply them accordingly.

Ability to work with persons with physical, mental or emotional disabilities or who hare economically disadvantaged or who are involved with the criminal justice system.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with other members of staff, outside agencies and institutions and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Dependency, Sociology, Social Welfare, Psychology, Nursing or a related field; or a Bachelor’s Degree which includes or is supplemented by successful completion of 18 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, criminal justice or other related social sciences;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST05