Mental Health Utilization Management Specialist (Social Services Professional)

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans and those with lived experience.

At King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), we believe in working as one team that solves problems—striving to be customer-focused and drive for the best results. We envision a welcoming community that is racially just. We believe the field of human services exists to undo and mitigate unfair structures. We seek to lead the way by working as respectful and responsible stewards for our community.

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) of DCHS is looking for a Mental Health Utilization Management Specialist to support the Hospital and Mental Health Residential Team, behavioral health providers and patient care. This position will hold direct responsibility for the utilization management and quality assurance for mental health residential facilities within the King County Integrated Care Network (KCICN). This is a Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) opportunity for 12 months, which could end or be extended due to operational needs.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. Interviews for this selection process will take place on or around February 24, 2025.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: Please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.   The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy: 

• NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process);
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental question should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process, providing your most recent 7 years of applicable experience if available)

 

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state “see my resume” or “see my personnel file” are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Additional Job Information

WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS: The position will be scheduled to work during core business hours which include Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. This position is not exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible with supervisory preapproval. The position is represented by the Public Safety Employees Union.

MISSION CRITICAL POSITION STATUS: This position has been designated as Non-Mission Critical. Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT: The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

RECRUITER: annette.coleman@kingcounty.gov

• Authorize behavioral healthcare benefits for persons with intensive needs using King County established protocols.

• Participate in the authorization of persons that require mental health residential services.

• Participate in care coordination services with mental health residential providers.

• Provide clinical consultation and technical assistance to providers.

• Participate in multidisciplinary, intersystem care coordination teams as needed to develop cross-system intervention plans.

• Participate in utilization management and quality management activities to assure that resources are used appropriately and efficiently.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Licensed Mental Health Professional, in good standing and with no prior disciplinary action with the Washington State Department of Health, as defined in WAC 246-341-0200 and RCW 71.05.020.
• Clinical experience working with a multidisciplinary team at a publicly funded behavioral health service system.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, mental health residential treatment.
• Ability to demonstrate and maintain excellent diagnostic and assessment skills for adults in mental health residential settings.
• Ability to provide functional assessments and clinical formulations consistent with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
• Ability to work with a variety of individuals representing allied systems, such as behavioral health providers, Developmental Disabilities Administration, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, Home and Community Services and other entities.
• Knowledge of utilization management strategies and quality management practices in applying medical necessity criteria to behavioral health benefit requests.
• Direct experience supporting clients using behavioral health recovery principles and practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience gathering and utilizing data and generating reports for presentation to management staff and others.
• Knowledge of MS Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License, or the ability to travel around the County in a timely manner.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check on a post offer/pre-employment basis.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and experience with the behavioral health services system in Washington state.
• In recovery or have lived experiences in behavioral health.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Salary : $40 - $51