Youth Care Manager - Behavioral Health

Position Purpose: Develops, assesses and coordinates holistic care management activities, with primary focus and support towards CHILD and ADOLESCENT populations with significant mental/behavioral health needs, to enable quality, cost-effective healthcare outcomes. Evaluates member service needs and develops or contributes to development of care plans/service plans, and educates members, their families and caregivers on services and benefits available to meet member needs.

Key Details: Travel is required for IN-PERSON Member Engagement to conduct child and adolescent assessments. Service Delivery Area(s) is in Nueces County, TX around Bishop, TX, Corpus Christi, TX, Beeville, TX, Alice, TX, Ben Bolt, TX, Driscoll, TX, Falfurrias, TX, Aransas Pass, TX, Ingleside, TX, Kenedy, TX, Karnes City, TX, Kingsville, TX, Portland, TX, Odem, TX, Refugio, TX, Robstown, TX, Sinton, TX, Taft, TX, or Victoria, TX. Mileage is reimbursed for travel.

NOTE: Candidates can work from home to coordinate behavioral healthcare services for members. REQUIRED - an unrestricted behavioral health professional license based on state contract requirements (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, LPC, or RN with direct Behavioral Health experience) for the applicable state upon application submission.

Standard Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (CST) but candidates will need to be flexible to accommodate our Child/Adolescent members' school schedules, when needed.

• Evaluates the needs of the most complex and high-risk members with mental/behavioral health needs, and recommends a plan of care for the best outcome
• Acts as liaison and member advocate between the member/family, physician, and facilities/agencies
• Supports members with primarily mental/behavioral health needs, such as those with (or a history of) major depression, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, self-injurious behavior, psychiatric inpatient admissions, etc
• Performs frequent home and/or other site visits (once a month or more), such as to assess member needs and collaborate with resources, as required
• Provides and/or facilitates education to long-term care members and their families/caregivers on topics such as preventive care, procedures, healthcare provider instructions, treatment options, referrals, prescribed medication treatment regimens, and healthcare benefits. Provides subject matter expertise and operational support for relevant mental and behavioral health-focused activities, such as the handling of crisis calls, mental health first aid training, field safety and de-escalation practices, psychotropic and other medication monitoring, etc
• Educates on and coordinates community resources, to include medical, behavioral and social services. Provides coordination of service authorization to members and care managers for various services based on service assessment and plans (e.g., meals, employment, housing, foster care, transportation, activities for daily living)
• Ensures appropriate referrals based on individual member needs and supports the identification of providers, specialists, and community resources. Ensures identified services are accessible to members
• Maintains accurate documentation and supports the integrity of care management activities in the electronic care management system. Works to ensure compliance with clinical guidelines as well as current state and federal guidelines
• Provides feedback to leadership on opportunities to improve and enhance quality of care and service delivery for long-term care members in a cost-effective manner
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Education/Experience: Requires a Master's degree in Mental Health or Social Work or Graduate from an Accredited School of Nursing and 2 – 4 years of related behavioral health/mental health experience.

Preferred Experience:

• 5+ years of Behavioral Health Case Management experience with child and adolescent members, preferably within inpatient psychiatric hospitals, community-based counseling programs, school or college/university settings, residential treatment centers, or local or state LIDDAs or MHAs
• Direct experience as a Field-based Case Manager or Social Worker is strongly preferred
•  Experience collaborating with medical and behavioral health providers and managing community resources for Medicaid recipients.
• Experience managing high volume caseloads
• Strong clinical documentation, problem-solving, communication, attention to detail, organizational, and time management skills required.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs with openness, flexibility, and professionalism.
• Proficient technology skills and direct experience working Microsoft Office Suite and Video Conferencing Applications – (MS Outlook, Word, M365 Copilot, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams and ZOOM etc.)
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience working with government and state sponsored programs (i.e. STAR Kids, CHIP, Medicaid, or MDCP)
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus, but not required.

License/Certification:

• Licensed Behavioral Health Professional or RN based on state contract requirements (e.g., LPC, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, RN with BH experience) is required

At Centene, we connect people to the care they need to live healthier lives — and the work you do here makes that impact real every day. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that directly support individuals, families, and communities, building your skills while making healthcare more accessible and effective. It’s work with a purpose you can see, backed by a team committed to improving lives well beyond the workday.
 

Centene offers a comprehensive benefits package including: competitive pay, health insurance, 401K and stock purchase plans, tuition reimbursement, paid time off plus holidays, and a flexible approach to work with remote, hybrid, field or office work schedules.  Actual pay will be adjusted based on an individual's skills, experience, education, and other job-related factors permitted by law, including full-time or part-time status.  Total compensation may also include additional forms of incentives. Benefits may be subject to program eligibility.

Centene is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with the LA County Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act