Specialized Care Manager

Mission

Connecticut Community Care helps people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities and incomes live their best lives at home with active and meaningful connections to their communities.

Summary

The Specialized Care Manager supports individuals referred through the Money Follows the Person (MFP). This role guides individuals through an interactive, informed decision-making process regarding community-based long-term services and supports.

The Specialized Care Manager plays a key role in assessment, information and referral, care planning and implementation, access to services, and coordination with applicable programs. The position supports individuals during their transition from institutional settings to the community and provides follow-up services from the start of transition through three months to one year post-transition.

All responsibilities are performed in a manner that supports and advances Connecticut Community Care’s mission and commitment to quality, collaboration, and community leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive, person-centered assessments in the individual’s preferred setting, including family/guardians as requested, and follows up with referral sources on outcomes.
• Identifies needs in alignment with the individual’s goals, strengths, values, and preferences.
• Utilizes motivational interviewing to develop and implement quality, cost-effective care plans based on the person’s desired outcomes.
• Collaborates across agencies and interdisciplinary teams to achieve program benchmarks.
• Educates individuals on available public and private services, including self-directed options, without bias.
• Explains program components, DSS guidelines, eligibility requirements, costs, and the benefits and limitations of service options.
• Assists individuals with accessing services and completing applications, including functional and financial eligibility requirements.
• Develops, shares, and implements the care plan; identifies and addresses barriers to service access through advocacy and coordination.
• Partners with DSS MFP Central Office, housing, transition staff, and UCONN to ensure timely transitions and support program development initiatives.
• Facilitates smooth transitions from Specialized Care Manager to waiver care planning staff.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in administration, social work, public health, recreation, psychology, counseling, gerontology, or related field required.

Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in nursing, health, social work, gerontology, or a related field may be substituted for one year of experience.
• Candidates must have prior experience serving as a Specialized Care Manager (SCM) or Care Manager (CM) at CCC.
• Must have a minimum of two years experience in health care or human services (including but not limited to community, hospital, institution or behavioral health).? Work experience with older adults and/or people with disabilities preferred. Bachelor’s degree in fields related to care management preferred (social work, counseling, nursing, mental health, psychology, gerontology, sociology, RN (licensed in the State of CT), rehabilitation, public health, or human services).
• Experience in conducting comprehensive, systematic, person-centered assessments in community settings, homes, hospitals, and nursing homes.
• Strong advocacy and communication skills.
• Knowledge of chronic conditions and management strategies.
• Strong understanding of the philosophy and importance of person centeredness, self-direction/self- determination and independent living.
• Knowledgeable of financial aspects such as Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans and pooled trusts.
• Understanding of Connecticut Medicaid waivers system and other appropriate programs, with a solid knowledge of community resources.
• Experience in building rapport and relationships with individuals, families and community resources using motivational interviewing techniques.
• Understands and practices risk assessment and risk mitigation.
• Experience with interviewing, observation and analysis.

Other

Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and current automobile insurance.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.