Enhanced Care Management (ECM) Lead Care Manager - Santa Cruz County at Pacific Health Group

Santa Cruz, California, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 Mar, 26

Salary

30.0

Posted On

21 Dec, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Empathy, Compassion, Needs Assessment, Care Planning, Service Coordination, Client Advocacy, Motivational Interviewing, Problem-Solving, Decision-Making, Teamwork, Collaboration, Communication, Organizational Ability, Technical Proficiency, Cultural Competence, Attention to Detail

Industry

Public Health

Description

At Pacific Health Group, we’re more than just a healthcare organization—we’re a catalyst for positive change in our communities. Our Enhanced Care Management (ECM) programs focus on addressing social determinants of health and providing community-based services that truly meet each individual’s needs. As a Lead Case Manager, you won’t just create care plans—you’ll personally guide members at every step, arranging all the services they need to thrive and building authentic, trusting relationships along the way. Why This Role Matters - Holistic Impact and Compassionate Care You won’t just coordinate clinical visits. You’ll respond to real-life challenges such as housing, food insecurity, and mental health, ensuring that members’ needs are addressed comprehensively. By forming strong, personal connections through frequent in-person visits, you’ll become a pivotal support system—someone members can rely on for comfort, guidance, and advocacy. Advocacy and Going the Extra Mile Beyond paperwork and phone calls, you’ll arrange all necessary services—from setting up medical appointments and coordinating transportation to securing safe housing and financial support. You’ll be a consistent presence in members’ lives, making sure no detail goes overlooked and no obstacle remains unaddressed. Shaping the Future of Care Your hands-on experience will generate insights that directly influence how our ECM programs evolve, ensuring we remain responsive to community needs. By sharing feedback on what members truly need, you’ll help refine the processes and resources we use to serve diverse populations. Your Responsibilities Frequent In-Person Visits to Members Regular Face-to-Face Assessments: Conduct multiple on-site visits each month in members’ homes, shelters, or community centers. Personal Connection: Use these visits to establish trust, gather first-hand insights, and address concerns right away. Example: While visiting a member recovering at home, you might discover that they lack mobility aids—prompting you to arrange for durable medical equipment and coordinate in-home physical therapy. Comprehensive Care Coordination End-to-End Service Arrangement: Schedule doctor’s appointments, organize follow-up care, link members to social services, and ensure they have the resources for a full continuum of support. Example: If a member is discharged from the hospital, you’ll set up home health visits, fill prescriptions, secure rides for follow-up appointments, and even arrange meal delivery if needed. Case Management with a Heart Empathetic Assessments: Look beyond forms and checkboxes to truly understand members’ backgrounds, personal challenges, and aspirations. Continuous Support: Remain in close contact by phone, video, and in-person visits to monitor progress, celebrate milestones, and swiftly address any new barriers. Example: If a member feels overwhelmed by multiple therapies, you could simplify their schedule, coordinate telehealth sessions, and even offer emotional support through regular check-ins. Resource Management Bridge to Community Services: Identify, coordinate, and optimize local resources—such as housing assistance, job training programs, or childcare services—to ensure members’ overall wellbeing. Example: A single parent needing childcare and employment support could be connected to subsidized daycare, workforce development courses, and a community mentor program—all organized by you. Patient Advocacy Champion for Members’ Rights: Push for timely treatments, insurance authorizations, and fair access to services, resolving roadblocks that could hinder progress. Example: If a critical procedure is denied by insurance, you’ll take charge of the appeals process, gathering documents and evidence to secure approval. Communication Central Point of Contact: Keep members, families, healthcare teams, and community organizations aligned on care objectives, ensuring seamless handoffs and follow-through. Example: Coordinate a care conference among a primary care physician, social worker, and rehab specialist so everyone can align on the most effective plan for a member’s speedy recovery. Documentation Detailed Reporting: Maintain meticulous records of assessments, care plans, and progress notes, ensuring transparency and accountability at every stage. Example: After each home visit, document any social, environmental, or health updates, enabling prompt collaboration with other team members and service providers. Continuous Improvement Feedback and Adaptation: Use data and first-hand observations to refine care strategies, ensuring our ECM programs stay effective and deeply compassionate. Example: If you notice a high number of members struggling with job access, you might advocate for creating a new partnership with a local job placement agency. Regulatory Compliance Stay Current: Keep informed about Medi-Cal, CalAIM, and other regulations, ensuring that all care management practices meet legal and quality-of-care standards. Example: Complete continuing education on the latest CalAIM guidelines and integrate these protocols into your daily workflow. Professional Development Ongoing Learning: Attend trainings, workshops, and webinars to sharpen your skills in cultural competence, motivational interviewing, and crisis intervention. Example: Enroll in a course on trauma-informed care to better support members who have experienced past hardships. Other Duties: Collaborative Mindset: Remain flexible in supporting the team, taking on additional tasks and sharing best practices to strengthen overall outcomes. Skills That Set You Apart Genuine Empathy & Compassion Needs Assessment & Care Planning Service Coordination & Navigation Client Advocacy Motivational Interviewing Problem-Solving & Decision-Making Teamwork & Collaboration Job Type: Full-time Pay: $27.00 - $30.00 per hour Expected hours: 40 per week 8-Hour Shift Monday to Friday, 8:30am PST - 5:00pm PST Work Location: Hybrid remote in Santa Cruz County- on the road Must be willing to travel to Santa Cruz County Experience: 3-5 years in case management, social services, or healthcare Expertise: Familiarity with Medi-Cal, CalAIM, and Enhanced Care Management Healthcare Insight: Understanding of healthcare systems and local community resources Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication, empathy, and cultural competence Organizational Ability: Proven time management skills and attention to detail Technical Proficiency: Competence using case management software and related tools Successful completion of a pre-screen assessment required Possess a valid California Driver’s License (Class C minimum), maintain a personal, operable vehicle for daily business use, and carry current liability insurance that meets California's minimum legal requirements. All selected candidates will be required to pass a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) background check prior to employment. Time Off & Leave 160 Hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) 12 Paid Holidays per year, including your birthday and one floating holiday after 1 year of employment 4 Paid Volunteer Hours per Month to support causes you care about Bereavement Leave, including Fur Baby Bereavement Health & Wellness 90% Employer-paid Employee-Only Medical Benefits Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Short-Term & Long-Term Disability | AD&D Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Financial & Professional 401(k) with Company Match Monthly Stipend Opportunities for professional development and internal growth Culture & Perks Employee Discounts via Great Work Perks and Perks at Work Quarterly In-Person Events Equal Opportunity Employer Pacific Health Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), age (40 and over), marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or status as a victim of domestic violence, assault, or stalking. We value diversity in all forms and encourage individuals from historically underrepresented communities to apply. Job Application & Offer Disclaimer Pacific Health Group is committed to maintaining a transparent, lawful, and secure hiring process in compliance with California labor laws and employment standards. No candidate will be offered employment without meeting the required qualifications and skillset for the position and successfully completing all steps of our recruitment process, which include: • Submission of a completed internal application via our HRIS system • A formal pre-screen with our recruiting team • Completion of a skills assessment (if applicable to the position) • Participation in a final interview with hiring leadership • Receipt of a formal verbal offer from our authorized hiring team AI & Human Interaction (HI) in Recruitment Pacific Health Group is committed to fairness, equity, and transparency in our hiring practices. We use AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools to help match candidate resumes against our job descriptions, focusing on qualifications, skillsets, and location. All resumes that meet these criteria are then reviewed by HI (Human Interaction) — our recruiting and HR team. Pacific Health Group remains true to our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement, ensuring that every candidate is given fair and consistent consideration.

Responsibilities

The Lead Care Manager will conduct frequent in-person visits to members, providing comprehensive care coordination and support. They will advocate for members' needs and ensure access to necessary services.