Case Manager - LYNX/Early Psychosis Intervention

The Early Psychosis Intervention (E.P.I.) program delivers public education, assessment, and treatment services for individuals experiencing the early stages of psychosis, and their families. The Case Manager (C.M.) is an experienced mental health clinician and an integral member of an interprofessional team. The C.M. works collaboratively with all E.P.I. team members including Psychiatrists, Nurses, Peer Support Workers, Family Education Support Workers, and the Public Educator.

The C.M. is responsible for the overall care coordination and provision of direct mental health interventions for youth experiencing first episode of psychosis. Case Management services include assertive outreach, screening and assessment, service planning and evaluation, consultation with other service providers, crisis intervention, and mental health intervention to support stabilization and eventual recovery. Working from recovery and empowerment-oriented philosophies, with a person-in-the-environment approach, the C.M. assists clients to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of community-based, client-centered services that support independent living and reintegration to their communities.

The C.M. also provides consultation/education services to families, caregivers, community professionals, and the broader community on Early Psychosis Intervention.

Location: Peterborough
Status: Full-Time
Posting# CM-EPI-FT-11-24

Wage: $29.70 to $31.13 per hour
Application Deadline: 12:00 noon on Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Key Responsibilities

1. Client Supports
   • Provide assertive outreach and rapid response to youth who may be experiencing psychosis, completing initial intake screening and assessments.
   • Follow-up with referral sources, including youth and their families, to make appropriate recommendations for youth who may not be eligible for E.P.I. services.
   • In collaboration with client, family and the interprofessional team, develop a recovery-oriented treatment plan.
   • Provide clinical case management for individuals experiencing symptoms of first episode psychosis, and their families.
   • In collaboration with youth and the treatment team, continually monitor and evaluate the experience of meaningful recovery, improved quality of life, and achievement of goals, and make changes to the treatment plan as necessary.
   • Provide crisis intervention and promote stabilization.
   • Provide best practice mental health interventions for psychosis, including individual, group and family counselling approaches, and social/vocational/educational rehabilitation support.
   • Develop and facilitate psychosocial and recreational group programming for clients.
   • Advocate at the person’s request for needed services and supports.
   • Integrate psychosocial rehabilitation principles, promoting skills training and social integration.
2. Documentation
   • Complete all required documentation/statistical activities for both C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. and the Lynx E.P.I. program, including monthly submission of Lynx statistics.
   • Accurate and timely completion of progress notes, as per agency policy, on C.M.H.A. client record keeping systems and systems at partner organizations at each site of service.
   • Intake, screening, and referral forms.
   • C.A.N. assessments.
   • Other assessments that may be utilized as informed by E.P.I.O.N. and best practice research in early psychosis.
   • Accurate and timely completion of all other administrative documentation including time sheets, expense claims, vacation, time off requests, and training requests.
3. Other Activities
   • Consult with other professionals regarding Lynx clients including family physicians and specialists in a variety of fields.
   • On-going outreach and marketing with participation in resource development activities.
   • Organize, deliver and evaluate presentations, workshops, public forums and special events.
4. Performance Management and Professional Development
   • Participate cooperatively in the agency performance management process/system.
   • Stay current on relevant legislation and best practices, current research, policies and procedures.
   • Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training.
5. Health and Safety – Worker Responsibilities
   • Work in compliance with the Occupational Health And Safety Act, applicable regulations and all organizational health and safety requirements and procedures to ensure the health and safety of clients, staff/colleagues, volunteers and students.
6. Client Safety

   Adhere to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R. client safety programs including program policies as well as infection control and prevention procedures. In partnership with clients, family members, and fellow staff, maintain open lines of communication to assist the organization in identifying and achieving quality outcomes for client safety. Report client safety incidents and suggested improvements to manager or delegate.

7. Other Duties as Assigned
   • Attend, participate in team/staff meetings, and all-staff meetings as required.
   • Participate in agency quality improvement activities, e.g. accreditation projects, Information Systems Support and Privacy and Security committees, special events, etc.
   • Participate in quality improvement activities at the team/program level.
   • Participate in external committees as required.
   • Duties may change from time to time.

Requirements of the Position:

A: Education and Training

Successful completion of post-secondary education in the social/health science disciplines. A university degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred. Consideration may be given to candidates with significant relevant EPI experience, education, and training.

We recognize that mandatory training before hire is an asset, however, successful completion of the training applicable to this role shall be requirements for continued employment in this position:

• Health and Safety Training (including but not limited to the following):
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (W.H.M.I.S. 2015)
  • Infection, Prevention & Control
  • Workplace Violence
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.I.S.T.)
• Verbal Intervention Training
• Client Record Management System (C.R.M.S.)
• First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (C.P.R.)

Assets with regard to this position:

• Masters degree in a relevant field.

B. Related and Relevant Experience

Mandatory experience

• Three or more years of mental health experience providing clinical case management in a community setting.
• Sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act.
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications (Outlook, MS Office, databases).

Preferred experience

• Three or more years of mental health experience providing clinical case management to youth and young adults experiencing psychosis for the first time.
• Registration with appropriate college or organization (e.g. College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, Registered Nurses of Ontario) is preferred.

Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French.

C. Competencies

Refer to C.M.H.A. H.K.P.R Competency Matrix.

D. Other

• Valid driver’s license.
• Automobile in good repair and insurance coverage as required by agency policy.
• Satisfactory police records search.
• Satisfactory references.
• Intermediate to advanced minus proficiency in French.
• Lived expertise with a mental health concern or addiction, either personally or with a family member is an asset.
• Proof of receipt of full COVID-19 vaccine.
• Ability to work remotely, for example from home, as required. Requirement to have reliable home internet service and the technology to complete work from a remote location, for example computer/laptop, telephone, etc.

Working Conditions:

• Work primarily in the community in various types of settings and regularly in an office setting (C.M.H.A. administrative offices).
• Work directly with individuals living with serious mental illness and/or dual diagnosis and/or addictions, individuals who are experiencing emotional and/or mental health issues and are working towards recovery.
• Work directly with families of individuals living with serious mental illness, or who are experiencing symptoms of early psychosis.
• Work in a stressful environment where there are mental and emotional demands. There is a high volume of work as well as the unpredictable work, life-threatening situations for others such as instances of suicide.
• Flexible hours required to meet the needs of clients and their families.
• Transport clients in personal vehicle.
• There are multiple competing demands which require time management skills, the ability to be flexible and to prioritize.
• Work in a remote environment, such as a personal home, as required.