Case Manager

Job Title: Case Manager

About Rincon Family Services

Rincon Family Services, established in 1972, is a large provider of culturally competent services in counseling, crisis intervention, substance use prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, case management, and community and family services. They are dedicated to promoting quality of life by advocating, educating, and empowering individuals and their families.

About the Role

The Case Manager is a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing therapeutic and rehabilitative services, counseling, case management, and integrated dual diagnosis treatment. The team addresses all treatment needs, including crisis management, substance abuse treatment, medication management, physical health treatment, mental health treatment, access to benefits and entitlements, and other supportive services. The Case Manager will assess client needs, develop individualized service plans, and coordinate resources to help clients achieve their goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Effectively use written, verbal, and non-verbal communication.
• Maintain a positive and productive work environment for clients.
• Apply conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Develop problem and goal lists, aftercare plans, and make appropriate referrals.
• Develop therapeutic relationships with clients and engage them in planning and following up.
• Identify obstacles to recommendations and minimize their impact.
• Implement crisis intervention techniques.
• Document client sessions, planning, and progress using clinically appropriate professional terminology.
• Maintain client records, including paper files and transitioning to electronic medical records.
• Meet documentation standards for program and funding sources.
• Provide billing and clinical service reports as requested (minimum weekly reports required).
• Develop and maintain relationships with community-based organizations.
• Develop and maintain a community referral binder.
• Attend all required meetings, committees, and training.
• Participate in the QI process.
• Participate in regular supervision (minimum two hours of documented supervision per month).
• Connect clients with transportation services or meet clients at appointments.
• Provide coordination and linkage with community agencies.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Case Management/Service Planning skills.
• Individual service planning and client engagement skills.
• Crisis intervention techniques.
• Clinically appropriate professional terminology for documentation.
• Ability to maintain client records (paper and electronic).
• Ability to provide billing and clinical service reports.
• Relationship building with community-based organizations.
• Meeting attendance and participation.
• QI process participation.
• Supervision participation.
• Coordination and linkage with community agencies.
• Written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to tailor communication styles to make clients feel comfortable.
• Ability to engage clients in a clinical and respectful manner.
• Initiative and big-picture thinking.
• Case management and planning skills.
• Understanding of legal, addiction, and mental illness issues relevant to the client population.
• Understanding of internal and external medical and supportive services.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity.
• Fast, accurate documentation skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with peers, individual clients, and groups.
• Desire to learn new skills.
• Knowledge of community and social service agencies.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and necessary paperwork.
• Knowledge of de-escalation methods or ability to train de-escalation methods.
• Reliable vehicle (for field work).
• Spanish fluency (bicultural applicants strongly preferred).
• EMR, email system, and other software (training provided).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a social service field OR more than 5 years of experience.
• IM+CANS certified (preferred).
• Demonstrated understanding of:
• Identifying precipitating events.
• Gathering histories of mental, emotional, and physical disabilities, alcohol and drug use, past mental health services, and criminal justice contacts.
• Assessing family, social, and work relationships.
• Conducting and documenting a mental health assessment.
• Utilizing appropriate additional diagnostic tools (e.g., LOCUS, GAF, OHIO scales).
• Documenting a DSM diagnosis (under supervision).
• Writing and implementing a treatment plan (under supervision).
• Providing mental health services within the scope of one’s practice (under supervision).
• Must pass a pre-employment TB Test and background check.
• Physical ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, twist, reach, pull, and lift heavy objects.
• Must be able to climb stairs several times a day.
• Must adhere to the agency’s non-discrimination policies.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $39,000 - $43,000
• Job Type: Full Time, Salary, Non-Exempt
• Health insurance
• Dental & Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Generous PTO: Accrue up to 21 days in Year 1, with some PTO carryover allowable.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
• Potential eligibility for City of Chicago commuter transit benefits.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Work Location: Chicago Land Area
• Schedule: 8-hour shift (1-hour unpaid lunch), Monday to Friday. May include evenings and some weekends.
• Physical Demands: May involve carrying charts, preparing for group activities (moving chairs/tables), carrying bags/boxes, decorating group activity areas. Reasonable accommodations available.
• Work Environment: Primarily field-based requiring travel and a reliable vehicle. Occasional duties at other agency offices. Travel to and from meetings is necessary.
• Direct Clinical Hours Expectation: 80% of 1,820 potential annual hours (1,456 hours), approximately 28 direct service hours per week.