Case Manager I

Polk County Florida; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Health Care in Lakeland, FL is seeking a Case Manager I to assess eligibility for medical and social service programs, conduct client interviews, evaluate needs, and coordinate referrals to community resources.

You will provide counseling, advocate for clients, and document case information across office, field, or home settings, with potential evening or weekend hours and adherence to HIPAA and county policies.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or related field.
• Two years of experience in social services, case management, counseling, or related interviewing; valid Florida driver's license.
• Four years of relevant training may substitute for education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct client interviews to assess eligibility for medical and social service programs.
• Evaluate financial, social, environmental, and medical factors to determine eligibility for county assistance.
• Provide counseling and problem-solving support to clients; assist with referrals to appropriate programs and community agencies.
• Offer case management services and act as a client advocate to support self-sufficiency.
• Refers ineligible individuals to alternative resources and assists in locating outside aid.

Skills

Case management

Interviewing

Crisis intervention

Decision making

Communication

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Data collection

Education

Associate's degree in Social Work

Tools

MS Office

Case management software

Job description

Case Manager I

Community Health Care

Starting Rate: $19.72/hour

MAJOR FUNCTION

Provides case management and needs assessments for indigent county residents through field, office, or home interviews to determine eligibility for the Polk HealthCare Plan and facilitate referrals to appropriate community resources.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Client Assessment & Case Management

• Conducts client interviews in the office, field, or home settings to assess eligibility for medical and social service programs.
• Evaluates financial, social, environmental, and medical factors to determine eligibility for county assistance.
• Provides counseling and problem-solving support to clients; assists with referrals to appropriate programs and community agencies.
• Offers case management services and acts as a client advocate to support self-sufficiency.
• Refers ineligible individuals to alternative resources and assists in locating outside aid.

Program Knowledge & Compliance

• Interprets and applies county, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations related to social services and the Polk HealthCare Plan.
• Provides education and explanation to clients regarding available services, including HIPAA regulations and county health benefits.
• Coordinates with medical personnel and social service agencies to ensure appropriate service delivery.

Documentation & Reporting

• Gathers, writes, and reviews documentation related to client eligibility and services.
• Inputs case data into software systems; prepares case notes, reports, correspondence, and required forms.
• Assists in compiling data for program evaluation, budgeting, provider payments, and reporting needs.

Community Engagement & Collaboration

• Collaborates with law enforcement, attorneys, judges, and other stakeholders to advocate for and meet client needs.
• Attends inter-agency meetings to share information and improve service delivery.
• Participates in special projects and community outreach efforts as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

• May perform crisis intervention in emergency or high-risk situations.
• May work evenings or weekends as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Case Management & Client Interaction

• Knowledge of case management practices and counseling techniques.
• Skill in interviewing and evaluating clients under stressful conditions.
• Ability to manage crisis situations with empathy and composure.
• Strong decision-making and independent judgment.

Program Knowledge

• Understanding of social service programs at the federal, state, and county levels, including eligibility criteria and application procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, rules, and regulations to client cases.
• Familiarity with community resources and referral procedures.

Communication & Collaboration

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to prepare accurate reports, documentation, and correspondence.
• Ability to work effectively with clients, coworkers, and the public.
• Ability to maintain positive, professional relationships across agencies.

Technical & Organizational Skills

• Proficiency in standard office equipment and personal computers.
• Ability to learn and use specialized software programs.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data for service planning and decision-making.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Visual capabilities and ability to lift/move up to 30 pounds.
• Valid Florida driver’s license: ability to drive and provide own transportation.
• Ability to work in various locations and settings throughout Polk County.
• Must be able to work in potentially stressful or emergency situations.
• Subject to Level 2 (FDLE) background screening.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Associate's degree from an accredited college with major coursework in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or a related field.

Two (2) years of experience in social services, case management, counseling, or related interviewing. A valid Florida driver’s license is required.
OR

Four (4) years of relevant training and experience in social services may substitute for education requirements (excluding driver's license requirement).

SPECIAL PREFERENCE

• Bilingual (English to Spanish) preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must provide own transportation; personal injury protection insurance is required.
• Must be available to work at various locations throughout the county.
• Participation in disaster response efforts (e.g., Special Care Shelter, Emergency Operations Center) is required. This may involve extended deployments, including overnight stays and extended shifts.
• Must maintain a home telephone (or equivalent contact method) and remain on-call as needed.
• Must pass and maintain FDLE Level 2 background screening.

All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.