Adult Outpatient Programs provide the least restrictive level of care where adults may receive clinical interventions aimed at decreasing existing signs and symptoms. Outpatient treatment focuses on recovery, problem resolution, symptom reduction, stabilization and/or prevention of movement to a higher level of care. Treatment varies widely and depends upon the consumer’s presenting symptoms.

Case Managers assist with monitoring consumer’s well-being including needs in the areas of mental health, physical health, living, learning, working, and social environments. Case managers travel to wherever consumers reside, whether that is at home, boarding homes, or other community based living to provide monitoring, when working with children they would be going to the schools as well.  The primary role of the case manager is to increase psychological adjustment for the consumer by empowering the consumers and sometimes family members with information, education and support in order to follow through once case management ends.

Essential Functions

• Provides appropriate linkage to community resources
• Demonstrates the ability to assess the consumer’s needs
• Monitors consumer to secure placement in the least restrictive environment
• Identifies goals and plans for appropriate services
• Provides ongoing monitoring of consumers’ progress and needs as assessed
• Advocates on behalf of the consumer to secure community resources
• Evaluates the consumer for discharge planning

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, sitting, and walking which are in bursts of 5 to 10 minutes.
• There are times when this can be extended to pacing with the consumer (time
• could be undetermined) and at times sitting and standing can be extended with the
• employee having the ability to change positions as permitted by the observance
• and behavior of the consumer at that time.
• Occasional forward bending from the hips while kneeling to reach to the side.
• Occasional need to be able to assume a full squat/lunge from a standing position.
• Occasional need to maintain back extension while being on stomach with one’s
• own body weight on hips and legs. This position is maintained for several
• minutes.
• Occasionally, be able to put one’s own body weight on one knee and one elbow
• on the same side of one’s body.
• Occasionally, be able to kneel and reach to same side toward the floor.
• Lift up to 10 pounds occasionally during shift.
• Strong grasp is needed to use keys to open doors throughout the facility, and to
• maintain constant contact with a consumer during a take down procedure or with
• other hold techniques.
• Pushing/pulling force up to 25 pounds occasionally during a shift.

Bachelor’s degree in a mental health discipline and certification of case management training by Alabama State Department of Mental Health after hire. Must be at least 23 years of age; have a valid state issued driver’s license and proof of current liability insurance. Knowledge in adult specialty, outlined below, to be attained within (6) six months of employment:

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in the adult population
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as, to non-violent crisis intervention practice
• Knowledge of Psychiatric Rehabilitation principles
• Knowledge of available community resources
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders