Forensic Case Manager Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

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Functional Title: Case Manger IV Job Title: Case Manager IV Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: MultiDisablPsych Social Svs Posting Number: 20733 Closing Date: 10/27/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Range: $4,020.33- $6,335.66 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-19 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 10% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Austin State Hospital Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 4110 GUADALUPE Other Locations: MOS Codes: 0149,5832,230X,42SX,4C0X1,68X,73A,HM
Brief Job Description:
Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people's lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. Psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.
The Case Manager IV performs advanced (senior level) case management work. The Case Manager IV includes the patient, family, legally authorized representative, and Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) in all phases of assessment, intervention, planning and discharge. Work includes collecting social assessment information, planning recovery team interventions to aid patients in achieving their recovery goals, patient advocacy, provision of group and individual interventions related to discharge planning, social education and skill development. The Case Manager IV assists other Case Managers in the completion of their job functions as needed and participates in Social Service department quality improvement and utilization management activities as assigned. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
Collects social assessment information for the licensed social worker by interviewing with patients, family, legally authorized representatives (LAR), and Local Mental Health Authorities to determine what is important to the patient and gather background information needed to assess the individual's support systems and identify the individual's psychosocial and discharge planning needs.
Based upon the Social Assessment of the patient, the Case Manager IV oversees the creation and development of individualized goals and objectives on patients' individualized recovery plan; ensures individuals active involvement in development through 1:1 meeting with patients, family contact, and input from the Local Mental Health Authority. Goals must reflect the individuals' stated life goal and objectives must be measurable and written in active voice.
Serves as an advocate for individual rights by providing assistance to individuals, family, and LARs regarding rights of individuals receiving inpatient services in state hospitals, advance directives, voting, Medicare rights, privacy rights, and other rights in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations and state and center policies. Provision of this information is documented on admission and annually thereafter at a minimum.
Ensures that individuals' families and/or LARs are involved in recovery activities, informed of changes to the recovery plan, restraint or seclusion events, serious injuries, illnesses, rights restrictions, and other significant events in the individuals' treatment. The Case Manager IV aids the family in making reservations at the Family House for overnight stays, educates families on mental illness, and provides information on hospital rules. First family contact is made within two business days of admission or signed patient authorization and contacts are continued at a minimum of monthly. Family calls are returned promptly.
Meets with patients individually or in groups as indicated on the patient recovery plan; interventions are provided at the intervals prescribed by the recovery plan; documentation is completed weekly and reflects the individuals' response to the intervention; interventions are individualized to the patient, but examples of interventions include discharge planning and education on social skills, community readiness, relationships, trial competency, or mental health skills.
Works closely with the patient, family, LAR, Local Mental Health Authority, physician, and other recovery team members to develop a discharge plan to ensure continuity of care between hospital and placement. The patient, family, and LAR are educated on discharge options and preparation. The Case Manager IV begins discharge planning upon admission, and the status of the plan is documented weekly for the first 8 weeks of hospitalization and monthly thereafter. The final discharge plan includes a plan for the safe transportation of the patient to the discharge destination and provision of records to the next provider.
Assists Case Managers IIs in completion of job functions as needed; provides training to new Case Manager IIs, and in-service training in relevant subject matter to all Case Manager IIs quarterly. Participates in quality assurance activities by completing assigned chart reviews in a timely manner, thoroughly documents reason for "No" answers; the Case Manager IV is expected to score within the margin of error as calculated by the right answer algorithm.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of community resources and/or how to obtain information regarding those resources.
Knowledge of case management principles, objectives, standards, and methods.
Knowledge of program's policies and procedures.
Knowledge of the differences between civil and forensic commitments.
Knowledge of competency restoration requirements, Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) process and discharge requirements.
Skills in the use of computers and applicable software.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to collect and analyze program data for the purpose of quality and outcome monitoring.
Ability to assess patient needs and to coordinate patient services.
Ability to monitor program effectiveness.
Ability to plan, assign and/or supervise the work of others.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
None
Initial Screening Criteria:
Bachelor's degree and a minimum of six months case management or social services work experience required.
OR
Associate degree and a minimum of twenty-four months experience case management or social services work required.
OR
No degree and a minimum of forty-eight months experience in case management or social services work required.
Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.
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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:
Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form
Telework Disclaimer:
This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.