Public Health Medical Case Manager, Infectious Disease

Position: Public Health Medical Case Manager

Department: Research - Infectious Diseases

Location: Boston, MA

Schedule: Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is a special role designed for the Public Health programs. The Medical Case Manager (MCM), Public Health Programs, is located in the Center for Infectious Diseases’ HIV Clinic and is responsible for providing medical case management services for HIV positive patients. The MCM is responsible for conducting comprehensive acuity assessments for all HIV-infected patients based on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) required acuity tool. The MCM is responsible for collecting income eligibility for all patients they serve as part of program eligibility requirements. The MCM will provide comprehensive insurance assistance, risk and transmission counseling, medical, adherence, and treatment counseling; developing individual service plans (ISPs) based on those identified needs; facilitating referrals and access to social service benefits, concrete services, and other providers; monitoring patient progress and advocating on behalf of patients when they are unable to do so for themselves; complying with all data entry, data integrity, and data tracking requirements for BMC and MDPH (or other funder) contract monitoring reports. MCMs are expected to possess and utilize critical thinking and clinical skills in order to engage and retain patients in care, to reduce HIV viral loads and transmission risk. All MCM notes will be written in the appropriate format in the EMR. The MCM conducts all activities within the standards, regulations, and contract assurances of the MDPH contract.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acuity assessment and income verification are non-negotiable eligibility requirements by MDPH in order to provide MCM services to any client.
• Collects income verification on all patients, obtains back up documentation from patients and documents it appropriately every 6 months.
• Performs acuity assessments based on the MDPH acuity scale at least every 6 months or more often as the patient’s needs change.
• Refers patients to the appropriate tier of service based on acuity scale (basic, moderate, intensive).
• The MCMs will mostly work with moderate need patients but have the ability to work with all levels of need.
• Individual Service Plans (ISPs) are a non-negotiable eligibility requirement by MDPH in order to provide MCM services to any moderate or intensive need client.
• Assesses patients’ needs and develops flexible service plans (ISPs) and maintains regular updates of these plans, at least every 6 months or more often as needs change.
• Work with patients on the ultimate goal of self-management.
• Ensures that patients have and maintain HDAP coverage and other medical insurance necessary for engagement in care and work in concert with the Benefits Navigator team.
• Proactively work with patients anticipating their needs in advance and apply for services in advance if possible.
• Proactively conduct chart reviews the week before clinic to assess needs of patients and remind them in advance of things they can do to prepare for their appointments.
• Follow-up with patients in a very active manner, reminding them of plans or activities discussed.
• Maintains an active caseload of patients and if patients no show/fall out of care work with the ARCH teams on re-engagement in care.
• Conducts comprehensive and ongoing risk assessments and engages patients in risk reduction and positive prevention discussions and activities in context of the acuity reassessments.
• Addresses concrete service needs and encourages engagement into systems as needed.
• Links patients to a broad range of services, including, but not limited to: HIV support services, including community-based case management; substance abuse treatment; mental health services; financial assistance; housing; food; financial entitlements; clothing; and transportation.
• Monitors patients’ progress via patients’ level of functioning, adherence to treatment plans, recovery/relapse process, and service needs.
• Performs and maintains all documentation in the electronic chart of patient encounters; resource development efforts; and other patient interventions and interactions, utilizing MDPH service codes for all such documented activities.
• Works with technical/data team on proactively tracking and monitoring compliance of the contract mandates for their patients.
• Writes notes appropriately in the EMR and signs notes within 48 hours per hospital standards.
• Document all work done by MDPH mandated service codes in the EMR.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with community resources to ensure patient access.
• Assists with immigration and refugee issues; works with refugee services for coordination of concrete services and support.
• Assists with interpreter scheduling/coordinating.
• Collaborates and coordinates with medical and mental health team members to promote positive prevention, harm reduction and treatment adherence.
• Participates in multidisciplinary/staff/team meetings and activities.
• Acts in a manner that supports a positive and collaborative work environment supportive of the CID’s and BMC’s missions and goals.
• Provides a link between the CID and other hospital departments.
• Adapts to changing departmental needs, including but not limited to, offering assistance to other team members, adjusting schedules and assignments, etc.
• Assists in orientation/training of new staff members, interns, and volunteers.
• Submits department statistics and other records and reports within required time frames.
• Maintains competency in areas of responsibility to ensure quality of care.
• Remains knowledgeable of and follows appropriate BMC and MDPH-relevant policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Maintains patient confidentiality; is comfortable handling sensitive personal information.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Responsible for complying with all MDPH reporting requirements by maintaining accurate documentation and providing required data within stipulated times frames.
• Performs administrative functions as assigned by the Manager.
• Attends MDPH and other meetings as assigned by the Manager.
• Performs other duties as specified by supervisors.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience or specific certifications/licensures, which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility, may be substituted for the education and experience requirements

EXPERIENCE:

• 2 - 3 years of experience working in a medical or social services environment.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Bilingual-bicultural preferred.
• Able to employ clinical skills to create service plan interventions based on an objective assessment tool.
• Expertise in establishing working relationships with patients, their families, professionals, and the community. Knowledge of community, social, and health resources
• Facility performing multicultural assessments and interventions.
• Sensitivity to ethnic, cultural, gender, and sexual orientation diversity, values, beliefs, and behaviors.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible with client’s priorities, evolving needs, and goals.
• Demonstrated empathic understanding of patients who may have, mental illness, substance abuse or other health issues.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Demonstrated ability to write contract reports that are clear and informative.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving ability.
• Computer competency, including Microsoft Outlook, Work, and Excel.
• Organizational skills to multi-task, set priorities, and efficiently complete assigned work.
• Effective interpersonal skills to facilitate communication with various members of the health care team, patients, and their families.
• Physical ability to meet the core job responsibilities in accordance with practice setting demands for the patient populations regularly served.

JOB BENEFITS:

• Competitive pay
• Tuition reimbursement and tuition remission programs
• Highly subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Career Advancement/Professional Development: Access a wealth of ongoing training and development opportunities that will not only enhance your skills but also expand your knowledge base especially for individuals pursuing careers in medicine or biomedical research.
• Pioneering Research: Engage in groundbreaking research projects that are driving the forefront of biomedical science.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

As the primary teaching hospital for Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and BU schools of public health and dentistry, intellectual rigor shapes our inquiries. Our research is led by a belief that skin color, zip code, and financial circumstances shouldn’t dictate health.

Boston Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to Talentacquisition@bmc.org or call 617-638-8582 to let us know the nature of your request.

Compensation Range:

This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, skills, and certifications/licensures as they directly relate to position requirements; as well as business/organizational needs, internal equity, and market-competitiveness. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), discretionary annual bonuses and merit increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family well-being. 

NOTE: This range is based on Boston-area data, and is subject to modification based on geographic location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

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