Mental Health Case Manager Duties and Responsibilites

By LeadLake Team   /   Job Category   /   2024
Back to Mental Health Case Manager Job Description

Primary Duty

The Behavioral Health Care Manager is responsible for providing evidence-based treatments or collaborating with other mental health providers when appropriate. The role of a Behavioral Health Care Manager involves a range of duties and responsibilities, which are outlined in the comprehensive job description provided below.

Administrative Functions

Case managers engage in coordination of services through various means of communication such as phone, fax, and email.

What is Case Management (Service Coordination)?

Case management in the context of mental health refers to a continuous process outlined by the American Association on Mental Retardation (1994). It involves assessing needs and wants, planning, securing necessary supports and services, and providing ongoing monitoring and follow-up. The individual or family plays a central role in this service coordination process.

How does case management work?

Case management involves the process of identifying and engaging patients or clients, conducting assessments and care planning, monitoring the care outlined in the care plan, and ultimately achieving desired outcomes in a measurable way. This comprehensive approach helps ensure effective and efficient care delivery.

Role in Project Management

The project management profession frequently handles fast-paced and dynamic workloads, which has increased the demand for mental health and well-being support for project managers.

APM offers a mental health toolkit specifically designed for project managers, aiming to provide necessary resources and assistance in maintaining mental well-being.

Why is case management important?

Case management plays a distinct role in bringing together healthcare, social services, and other sector services to support individuals with complex health conditions.

There are various elements and variations of case management, depending on the specific context and the population being served.

Role in Decision-making Process

The primary goal of mental health case management is to facilitate the highest possible state of well-being, self-sufficiency, and self-assurance for individuals who require psychiatric care and support. These individuals may have experienced substance abuse, trauma, or personal difficulties, making it difficult, sometimes even impossible, for them to reintegrate into society independently.

A mental health case manager plays a crucial role in this process by coordinating and advocating for the comprehensive care and services that these individuals need. They serve as a liaison between the patients and various healthcare providers, helping to ensure that all aspects of their treatment and recovery are addressed effectively.

Additionally, a mental health case manager assists individuals in identifying and accessing community resources, such as support groups or vocational training, that can aid in their social reintegration. By providing consistent guidance and support, the case manager aims to empower these individuals to regain independence and lead fulfilling lives.

Performance Metrics

The Strengths Model of Case Management (SMCM) is a recovery-oriented approach to mental health care delivery. It places emphasis on client strengths, utilization of community resources, and client empowerment in the help-seeking process. This model operates as an intensive form of case management, with each case manager assigned a maximum of 20 clients.

Implementing the Strengths Model of Case Management involves assessing the effectiveness of this approach. To learn more about this assessment process, you can refer to the article titled "Implementing the Strengths Model of Case Management: Assessing PrÂ…".

What are quality outcome metrics?

The Case Management Insider article recommends measuring various quality outcome metrics in order to assess the overall performance of an organization. These metrics include readmissions, discharge/disposition delays, delays in service/turnaround time, patient satisfaction, and inappropriate admissions.

What is the current trend in measuring the quality of mental health?

The measurement of mental health quality has undergone a recent shift in focus, moving from an emphasis on structures and services to a greater emphasis on prognosis, outcome, and outcome measurement. This new trend reflects the current research interest in assessing and enhancing the quality of mental health services.

Are mental health process measures effective?

There is a lack of evidence supporting the use of many commonly used process measures in mental health quality and outcome improvement. Only a limited number of studies have demonstrated a connection between the use of quality of care process measures and improvements in patient functioning and clinical outcomes. This raises concerns about the clinical validity of these measures.