Full-Time SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELOR III
Job Description
Description of Job
This work unit exists to provide inpatient psychiatric evaluations and treatment for severely emotionally disturbed and/or cognitively impaired older adults who cannot be safely or adequately treated in the community. The treatment program is designed to eliminate symptoms and behaviors of patients such as suicidality, assaultiveness, psychosis depression and agitation which make them a danger to themselves or others, or gravely disabled, although the majority of patients are hospitalized with a forensic legal status. The purpose is to increase their mental health capacity in order to return them to their community to live safe, productive lives. Direct treatment utilizing individual, family, group work and psycho-educational treatment is provided.
This position exists to provide therapeutic interventions including psychosocial therapies, individual, family and group treatment to severely emotionally disturbed/cognitively impaired patients and their families. This position does assessments and disposition planning, interagency communication with residential care facilities, social services, community mental centers, etc., to ensure continued appropriate level services following discharge. Individualizes psychosocial therapy approaches to meet the specific needs of the patient population. Provide training and consultation to other professional staff.
Job Duties:
- Complete a comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment of patients being admitted for inpatient psychiatric treatment. Interview the patient assuring that assessment data is as reliable as possible, that the patient is engaged in a supportive and educative manner, that confidentiality is maximized, and that symptoms and behaviors are thoroughly evaluated and handled in a sensitive and safe manner. Contact/ engage parents/ family members, significant others, guardians, and referring agency personnel to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supporting information to enhance the understanding and dynamics of the patient’s situation. Complete the Colorado Client Assessment Record (CCAR) and the bio-psychosocial component of the hospital’s Integrated Initial Assessment document. (This includes the development of a clinical formulation which identifies risk-issues, relevant factors in the patient’s history and current situation, strengths and potentials, and then interprets and integrates the information to provide direction to the staff regarding treatment interventions, goals and objectives, and the identification of options and recommendations regarding the patient’s plan for discharge and aftercare services.) Additionally complete re-assessments of the patient’s situation and response to treatment as frequently as daily and documents patient progress in progress notes, weekly progress notes, and treatment plan reviews. Collaborate with and inform team members of relevant assessment information. This position puts specific emphasis upon collaboration with and direction of treatment team staff regarding assessment information to address unique cases and cases that necessitates a reduction of risk issues related to hospital objectives including the use of seclusion and restraint, patient assault, and elopement.
- Social Worker coordinates discharge planning, through evaluation and assessment of patient’s needs as they relate to available community resources and exploring and mobilizing those resources. Is the liason between hospital and community agencies. Identifies and chooses appropriate community placements and treatment programs. Provides case management by making appropriate referrals to community agencies, networking and directing reciprocal relationships with community agencies, Social Security, Social Services, Court system, jails, DOC, probation, parole, DYC, attorneys, CMHC, CCB, nursing, boarding, and group homes, individuals and families. Attend meetings with the above mentioned agencies. Provide necessary and required documentation relating to this duty.
- Participates in the direction and formulation of treatment plans and reviews. Collaborates with multidisciplinary treatment team by recommending and designing treatment interventions, which will meet patient and family education and therapeutic needs. Provide required documentation relating to this duty. Document the plan and any issues related to the plan and revise/modify the plan according to the ongoing reassessment of the patient’s progress and continuing need for treatment.
- Assesses patient and family education needs and identifies readiness to learn, motivation, strengths and barriers to the learning process. Provide ongoing psycho/social education that is relevant to individual, social, environmental factors, medical regimen, to enhance mental health growth and stability. Educate patient and family regarding related symptoms of their disorders, symptom management, risk factors, relapse prevention and level of care needs. Provide required and necessary documentation relating to this duty.
- Conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using social work theories and concepts relevant to the needs and pathology of patients and their families, considering their age, ethnic, cultural, religious and sexual issues to affect behavioral change and the reduction of symptoms in the patient and the family. Interpret treatment issues, problems, expectations, and changes in behavior for patients and their families. Assess and document the effectiveness of specific interventions towards meeting the goals and objectives of treatment. The position guides milieu staff by modeling patient interventions, recommending practice and patient “homework” assignments that may be implemented by them. Develop a therapeutic alliance with the patient and family to secure their understanding and participation in the treatment process. Provide information and education to them and/or community providers about mental illness and treatment and/or refer them to relevant resources to enhance their understanding of the patient’s ongoing concerns and needs.
- Participates in orientation, educational workshops, social work discipline meetings, and training to assure and maintain competency in the provision of social work and treatment services. Provides consultation and training regarding social work services and clinical issues on a functional basis with clinical staff and discipline members. Participates in and clinical and administrative supervision to enhance, ensure, and confirm skills, knowledge, competency, and understanding of assigned cases and team, discipline, and hospital processes.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
* YOUR APPLICATION MUST CLEARLY STATE YOUR RELATED QUALIFICATIONS *
Minimum Qualifications:
Current, valid or recently expired licensure as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). This license must be in good standing.
~AND~
One (1) year of experience as a licensed clinical social worker.
**Note, nothing in these Minimum Qualifications alleviates the criteria to transfer licensing or any requirements by the respective board under the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
Substitutions:
None
Under the direction of Governor Jared Polis, the Division of Professions and Occupations at the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) has conducted a review of existing licensing exemptions that allow for individuals in the healthcare field who either hold licenses in other states or who have allowed their license to expire in Colorado to immediately resume work within their scope of practice, provided their out-of-state or expired license is/was in good standing.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with the legal system
Conditions of Employment:
- A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges. Additionally, you will be required take a drug screen.
- Colorado Driver’s License
- Travel to include taking patients to discharge destinations around the state and country.
- TB (Tuberculosis Test)
- Evening and/or weekend treatment services may be required.
- Former employees of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) who were disciplinary terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on your application and may not be eligible for employment at CDHS.
How to Apply
For more information and to apply, please visit the State of Colorado Job Board. For questions regarding this position, please contact lisa.bacon@state.co.us.589 total views, 0 today