First Link Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department:  [[cust_personnelSubarea]] 

Pay:  $23.69 per hour  

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week. Varied schedule M-F between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.  

Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation reviews, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.  For more detailed information, please visit our benefits page at SCBenefits.

The First Link Integrated Care Specialist II plays a critical role in ensuring timely and compassionate access to mental health services for children and families. This position is the first point of contact for new referrals to Community Based Services (CBS). The First Link Integrated Care Specialist II is integral in expediting access to foster care-involved youth. They will work to remove systemic and logistical barriers that delay the initiation of care. The First Link Case Manager coordinates and delivers early-stage services, supports the completion of initial treatment plans, connects patients, and helps establish a smooth transition into ongoing CBS.

Direct Service Provision

• Serve as the initial contact for all new CBS referrals, ensuring prompt outreach.
• Provide initial CBS to youth in foster care.
• Direct care to patients in the school, home, or community settings, using identified and accepted methods to remediate symptoms of mental illness and/or improve emotional and functional well-being.
• Conduct risk assessments as needed to address the safety of patients, consult with patient and treatment team members to develop crisis response plans.
• Provide transportation, as part of service delivery, in employees' personal passenger vehicle to support patient attendance in medical appointments and other therapeutic goal-related activities.

Treatment Planning

• Complete initial treatment planning in alignment with agency standards and trauma-informed best practices.
• Utilizes the Wrap Around philosophy to facilitate meetings with patients, guardians, and identified support systems to complete strengths assessment, discuss treatment goals, and medically necessary services.
• Complete referrals for services identified during the initial treatment planning session and coordinate with the treatment team to ensure services begin within agency standards.
• Actively identify and address barriers that may delay the provision of services.
• Collaborate with intake clinicians, Care Coordinators/Patient Navigators, clinical service providers, medication management providers, and external referral sources to ensure smooth handoff and service alignment.

Documentation

• Complete progress notes which meet requirements for medical necessity, goal-directed treatment, and patient response to treatment within prescribed timelines.
• Complete Notes for Record, Precautions statements, and authorizations for release of records.
• Enters no-shows and cancellations for accuracy and completeness of medical records.
• Enter AIMS/CSR data as needed.
• Track referral trends and systemic obstacles, bringing forward recommendations to improve access and equity in service initiation.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a human services field, or an equivalent combination of education and human services experience, with one year of experience substituting for one year of education. Per Sedgwick County policy, this is a driving level position that requires a valid US driver's license without restrictions and current proof of automobile insurance. Must have access to personal passenger vehicle to complete the driving duties of the position. Meet the specifications as outlined in the CMHC/CCBHC licensing standards and pass KBI, DCF child abuse check, DCF adult abuse registry, KDADS Nurse Aide and Criminal Record check, National Sex Offender Registry check, and motor vehicle screens. Must complete orientations provided by Sedgwick County and COMCARE.

Preferred Qualifications: Two (2) years of experience coordinating multi-step tasks or projects in a human services, healthcare, or community-based setting, including situations requiring rapid prioritization of emergent needs in time-sensitive environments.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following link.  Apply for a Job | Sedgwick County, Kansas