Job Title: Qualified Professional
Location: Charlotte, NC
Reports To: Program Manager
Classification: Exempt/Full-Time
ROLE IN PROGRAM PHASE-IN AND LAUNCH
- During the pre-opening and implementation phase, the QP will work directly with the President/CEO and Program Manager as part of the Transition Team to:
- Develop and refine case management workflows, intake procedures, and documentation standards aligned with 10A NCAC 70I licensing requirements and the SOW.
- Assist in drafting operational policies and procedures specific to emergency shelter case management.
- Participate in pre-licensing facility reviews, regulatory walkthroughs, and readiness assessments.
- Collaborate on training materials and onboarding content for Behavioral Technicians and support staff.
- Contribute to the development of the operational blueprint governing service delivery at the EPF.
- Support staffing readiness activities including orientation, compliance file review, and role-specific training.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Case Management & Service Coordination
- Conduct Intake Assessments: Complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments upon each child’s placement, including review of medical, behavioral, and trauma history, to establish baseline needs and immediate safety considerations.
- Develop Individualized Service Plans: Create and maintain individualized service plans (ISPs) for each resident that address placement goals, therapeutic needs, educational requirements, and family reunification or permanency objectives, in compliance with DSS standards and the SOW.
- Monitor Placement Progress: Conduct regular check-ins and progress reviews with residents, document observations, and update service plans as placement circumstances evolve.
- Coordinate with DSS and Collateral Contacts: Serve as the primary point of contact with Mecklenburg County DSS case workers, family members, Guardian ad Litems, educational institutions, medical providers, and court personnel to ensure coordinated, child-centered service delivery.
- Facilitate Transitions and Discharges: Manage transition planning from placement to next-level care, foster placement, or reunification, ensuring documentation, referrals, and continuity-of-care records are complete and timely.
Clinical and Compliance Functions
- Provide Crisis Intervention: Respond to behavioral and mental health crises during assigned shifts and on-call rotations; apply trauma-informed de-escalation strategies and coordinate emergency mental health supports when needed.
- Administer Required Screenings: Complete all state-required screenings and documentation, including CANS, ACES, and any DSS-mandated tools, within required timeframes.
- Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Maintain case files in compliance with 10A NCAC 70I regulations, CARF accreditation standards, and Mecklenburg County DSS contractual requirements. Ensure timely submission of required reports.
- Supervise and Guide Direct Care Staff: Provide functional guidance to Behavioral Technicians regarding individual resident’s plans, behavioral strategies, and placement-related concerns during shared shifts.
- Maintain Accurate Records: Document all case management activities, service plan updates, incident reports, and collateral contacts in the facility’s case management system with accuracy and in accordance with HIPAA and confidentiality standards.
On-Call and Scheduling Responsibilities
- On-Call Availability: Participate in rotating on-call schedule to respond to emergency placement calls, crisis situations, and time-sensitive case management needs outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Flexible Scheduling: Adjust scheduled hours as needed to meet the demands of new placements, court hearings, family visits, and other time-sensitive activities specific to shelter operations.
Reporting and Administrative Duties
- Submit Required Reports: Prepare and submit all required case notes, monthly progress summaries, DSS-required status updates, and incident documentation within prescribed deadlines.
- Attend Meetings and Trainings: Participate in team meetings, supervisory sessions, multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, court-related hearings, and all required training and professional development activities.
- Support Quality Assurance: Participate in internal case reviews, file audits, and quality assurance activities that support CARF accreditation maintenance and licensing compliance.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager or President/CEO.
SCOPE OF WORK ALIGNMENT (CONTRACT CT DSS 46254984)
- In fulfillment of the Statement of Work under the Mecklenburg County DSS Emergency Placement Facility contract, the QP/Case Manager is responsible for:
- Ensuring that all youth placed at the EPF receive individualized case management services beginning at intake and continuing through discharge or transition.
- Maintaining placement documentation that supports DSS oversight, licensing reviews, and billing compliance.
- Coordinating directly with DSS assigned workers on placement plans, safety updates, and service needs in accordance with contract deliverables.
- Participating in structured program activities that address the therapeutic and developmental needs of residents during their stay.
- Supporting the operational readiness of the facility during the phase-in period by contributing to policy development, workflow design, and compliance preparation.
- Contributing to reporting metrics and outcome data required under the contract, including bed utilization, length of stay tracking, and service delivery documentation.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Strong clinical assessment and case formulation skills
- Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice
- Crisis intervention and de-escalation
- Clear and professional written and verbal communication
- Ability to manage multiple active cases and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of child welfare, foster care, and emergency shelter systems
- Familiarity with NC regulatory requirements (10A NCAC 70I preferred)
- Proficiency with case management documentation systems and Microsoft Office
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Collaborative and solution-oriented team approach
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related human services field required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Must meet the definition of Qualified Professional under 10A NCAC 27G .0104 or applicable NC child-serving regulations.
- Licensure as LCSW, LCSWA, LCMHC, LCMHCA, or eligibility for licensure in the State of North Carolina preferred.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in child welfare, foster care, residential care, or a closely related child-serving field.
- Experience working in an emergency shelter, group home, or residential child-care setting strongly preferred.
- Valid North Carolina driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
- Must successfully pass all required background checks, including NC criminal records check, NC Sex Offender Registry, NC Health Care Personnel Registry, and Responsible Individuals List, prior to employment.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Benefits Include:
- Health, Vision, and Life Insurance
- Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
- Short-Term Disability
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Health & Wellness Programs
- Flexible scheduling aligned with program needs