Clinical Case Manager - SAGE, Day
DESC·Seattle, Washington
DESC·Seattle, Washington
Provide comprehensive case management and advocacy for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses to support their recovery and independence. Coordinate psychiatric treatment, housing retention, and access to essential community resources while maintaining clinical records.
Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long-term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time. Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.
DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs,19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.
Support, Advocacy, Growth and Employment (SAGE) is DESC's comprehensive outpatient mental health program. SAGE intake specialists, case managers, psychiatrists and nurses assist adults with severe and persistent mental illness in their journey towards recovery. Long-term case management services are provided including help with obtaining and maintaining housing, improving clinical and social stability, and enriching their level of independence and self-sufficiency.
SAGE services are licensed under the Washington State Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery and are provided under contract with King County Mental Health, Chemical Abuse & Dependency Services Division. Services are provided within a Recovery model.
Participate in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings; participate in clinical reviews and case conferences for consumers on caseload. Attend external and internal trainings related to landlord/tenant laws, housing vouchers and/or other relevant topics. Comply with the agency's clinical accountability policies and procedures; maintain current and complete clinical and administrative records; participate in quality assurance reviews when assigned. Comply with applicable program research and evaluation procedures. Other duties as assigned.
Relevant bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related behavioral science, OR a combination of 1 year of relevant paid work experience and demonstration of the ability to perform required job duties. Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business. A current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record are required. Ability to meet Washington Department of Health requirements for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) or any other superseding credential. Interest in working with clients who are difficult to engage and maintain in traditional mental health/substance use disorder programs. Knowledge of Recovery focused, strengths-based work in mental health. Knowledge of Harm Reduction strategies. Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors. Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds. Subscribe to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for consumers.
Eligible for a Licensed AAC credential or any other superseding credential that meets RCW 71.05.020 requirements to act as a Mental Health Professional whose scope of practice includes independently conducting mental health assessments and making mental health diagnoses. Master's degree in social work, psychology or other relevant behavioral science or Bachelor of Nursing degree with specialty in mental health. Bilingual in Spanish and English. Bicultural background/experience and/or Qualified Minority Mental Health Specialist designation.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required sit for long periods of time, communicate with other persons by talking and hearing, required to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Washington are typically supported by steady demand from outpatient, community, and telehealth settings. These roles are competitive because employers often look for a current unrestricted clinical license, experience with evidence-based therapy, and the ability to work from a HIPAA-compliant home office. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly confirm fit, then verify your license status and prepare examples of your therapy approach before applying.