Covenant Health

Case Manager, Psychiatric Services, Senior Behavioral Health

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Night Shift

Parkwest Overview: 

Parkwest Medical Center, Covenant Health’s flagship facility in West Knoxville, combines world-class cardiac expertise with the warmth of home in serving a vibrant East Tennessee community. Since 1973, Parkwest has grown into the region’s largest hospital in the area, offering advanced services like an all-digital catheterization lab, comprehensive breast health, emergency, and critical care. It’s consistently ranked among Tennessee's top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and earns national recognition as a Top 100 Heart Hospital, as well as an “A” safety grade from Leapfrog. As part of Covenant Health, the region’s largest employer, Parkwest Medical Center, marries cutting-edge technology with compassionate, community-centered care, earning accolades for cardiology, stroke, surgical excellence, and patient safety. 

To learn more about Parkwest Medical Center and our units, visit Covenant Health Parkwest Medical Center Opportunities.  

Position Summary:

The Inpatient Case Manager communicates and acts as liaison with courts, referral sources, and other individuals and agencies as necessary during patient’s hospitalization and post discharge. The Case Manager conducts screenings for referral service, and participates in referral development and education in the community. He/she contacts and assures medical, emotional health, recovery and other appointments as needed and indicated by patient need. The Case Manager role includes facilitation of treatment plan interventions and aftercare planning with patients. Case Management requires independent decision making skills necessary for the care of the patient in terms of environmental assessment skills and reporting abilities. The Case Manager coordinates information to and from the referral sources and families to the treating team.

• Coordination of timeliness issues related to discharge planning with the treating psychiatrist and treatment team to assure proper linkage with support systems whenever possible. Includes assurance that the time of discharge coincides with a time that the patient will be in contact with a family member or other support system.
• Crisis assessment of home and living environment which can include determining level of risk upon patient’s return based on interviews and obtaining social support assistance. (Includes discussions about removing weapons when indicated)
• Coordination with team to assure duty to warn occurs when indicated
• Provides linkage for treatment team by acquiring information from and distributing information to the patient’s support system. Without this necessary step, treating the patient would be limited to only what information can be obtained or determined from the patient who may lead to false impressions or misleading information related to legal issues, child custody issues and marital conflicts, etc.
• Works with licensed staff to provide crisis intervention with the family system as indicated. Despite the family not being the identified patient, often the family situation must be diffused concurrently as the patient is receiving crisis stabilization. The Case Manager role is instrumental in identification of the family in crisis and in connecting the family to the clinical staff for therapy purposes. It requires skill to convince the family to also receive care in this manner.
• Performs initial pre-admission screenings under supervision of licensed clinical staff.
• Communicates in writing, by phone, and in person to courts, DCS and/or DHS, schools, and other professionals and agencies. This communication includes initial contact upon admission, report progress during hospitalization, notification of discharge, and post-discharge follow up. Ensures that pertinent information gathered by outside resources is included in treatment team discussion of the patient.
• Completes treatment plans and case management progress reports on assigned patients as dictated by program requirements.
• Maintains record, as appropriate, on each assigned patient.
• Documents as necessary in patient’s medical record.
• Maintains updated patient releases.
• Assists in management, supervision, and interaction with patients when directed or as appropriate.
• Works collaboratively with Therapist to discuss aftercare needs with family/guardian and to assure commitment for aftercare compliance.
• Schedules aftercare appointments for patient and/or family and communicates these plans to Therapist to assure that family/guardian is involved in this aspect of the treatment planning.
• Participates in parent/family conferences as directed by Therapist in order to discuss aftercare plans.
• Sets appropriate limits and follows unit guidelines in interactions with patients.
• Appropriately encourages patients in following their treatment plans.
• Participates in educational in-services and presentations.
• May facilitate or participate in hospital programs or groups for the patients.
• Confers with hospital utilization reviewers regarding patient activity and discharge planning as updates are needed and performs reviews as requested by supervisors.
• Confers with business office representatives regarding benefit information and facilitates resolution or problem list on assigned patients.
• Coordinates with multidisciplinary team to determine discharge planning needs with a plan on record within 24 hours.
• Maintains appropriate and timely communications during patient’s course of treatment and following discharge with appropriate agencies and individuals.
• Contact with aftercare and outpatient service providers to obtain needed treatment information and to facilitate discharge plans in a proactive, timely manner.
• Schedules and facilitates patient groups or individual sessions for purpose of discharge planning.
• May conduct or participate in patient psycho-education group to provide information on aftercare.
• Schedules and when necessary, escorts patient to outside agencies as part of preparation for discharge.
• Maintains communication with patients, families, and other agencies or individuals involved in aftercare following patient’s discharge if directed by Program Therapist.
• Follow up after discharge of patient as directed for outcome information.
• Participates in follow up and outcome studies as requested.
• Attends hospital meetings as directed.
• Provides documentation of all discharge planning activities and all patient-related activities performed by the Case Manger on the date such activities occur.
• Local travel required.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:                      

BSW or BA/BS in closely related discipline. (NOTE: Non-related degree may be considered with five (5) years relevant experience.) Experience may not be substituted for a degree.

Minimum Experience:                    

Requires a minimum of one (1) year’s experience in direct patient care in the mental health field. Knowledge of chemical dependency, child and adolescent development, chronic mental illness, and DSM IV diagnosis needed. Knowledge of psychiatric inpatient treatment is beneficial. Crisis stabilization skills are required.

Licensure Requirement:                  

Employee must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license Class D and state mandated minimum insurance coverage. Driving record must meet Covenant Health minimum standards at the date of hire and throughout employment tenure.