Job Title: Social Worker I or II

Location: San Diego, CA 92110

Position Type: Contract, 40 hours a week, One weekend day required

Shift: 8 a.m. – 4:30 or 8:30 – 5 p.m (Schedule may vary based on department needs, no guarantee of set schedule)

Duration: 3-6 months with possibility of extension

Job Summary:

CLASSIFICATION PURPOSE AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Under direction, to provide case management services for voluntary and involuntary clients who are diagnosed with behavioral health conditions; and to perform related work as required.

This is an unlicensed professional class responsible for providing case management and rehabilitative services. This class is distinguished from Licensed Mental Health Clinician in that the latter requires possession of a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Clinical Psychologist counseling license issued by the State of California.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The examples of functions listed in this class specification are representative but not necessarily exhaustive or descriptive of any one position in the class. Management is not precluded from assigning other related functions not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment for the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

Essential Functions:

Provides behavioral health services in the form of counseling, crisis intervention, and rehabilitative services to voluntary and involuntary clients who are diagnosed with behavioral health conditions.

Performs case management services for those clients who meet the criteria for the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS) conservatorships and makes recommendations regarding the re-establishment of conservatorships.

Conducts psychosocial case assessments and strengths assessments, as needed, to determine behavioral health and social service needs of clients and patients.

Capture program outcomes to support quality improvement initiatives and allow for monitoring of outcomes.

Develops counseling crisis intervention, case management and rehabilitative service plans by collecting and evaluating client information and preparing written summaries, taking the cultural differences of clients into consideration; verbalizes and reviews plans with clients and monitors the clients' progress in achieving goals and objectives.

Provides consultative services to clients' relatives, interested persons, and representatives of community agencies; participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, adult, child and family team meetings and interactions with families in care planning.

Provides services to clients who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness or living in low income and/or high crime areas.

Assists clients in improving daily living, and skill building, social and self-sufficiency activities by providing direct services on an individual level or in a group setting; assists clients by managing money and obtaining eligibility benefits; may complete forms on behalf of clients and explain rules and regulations; and may assist client in obtaining legal services.

Assists clients during emergency situations by determining needs, performing counseling services, or coordinating placement into hospitals, another level of care or other medical clinics if necessary.

Performs placement services for clients by locating, evaluating, and recommending shelters, residential care facilities, and other community resources with emphasis on preventing hospitalization.

Track and capture program outcomes to support quality improvement initiatives for monitoring of outcomes.

Reports out on client progress during court proceedings, as needed, to include providing ongoing updates to client's treatment in support of appropriate service planning.

Uses computers applications to prepare and maintain case records and complete assessment forms and written reports that document behavioral health case histories in accordance with funding and licensing requirements of regulatory agencies.

May research, evaluate, and recommend employment opportunities for clients.

Observes and evaluates clients' behavior to ensure their protection and safety.

Reports incidents of abuse to staff assigned to Aging and Independent Services, Child Welfare Services, other HHSA divisions or protective agencies as necessary; may perform crisis intervention or protective service functions to protect clients who are in danger of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Participates in continuous learning through on-the-job training, conferences, seminars, and formal external training sessions on topics pertaining to case management or behavioral health services.

Acts as liaison between the County of San Diego behavioral Health Services and behavioral health providers or other referral agencies.

May attend meetings with members of local communities and make presentations or exchange information.

May be called upon to provide testimony in court proceedings. Reports out on client progress during court proceedings, as needed, to include providing ongoing updates to client's treatment in support of appropriate service planning.

Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings with various County departments, contractors, and collaborative partners as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Social work methods and practices, policies, and procedures relating to the provision of behavioral health social services

Theories, practices, methods and techniques used to perform case management services for behavioral health clients

Crisis intervention techniques used when dealing with clients involved in emergency situations

LPS Act and conservatorship processes and procedures

Laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of behavioral health agencies

Rules, regulations, policy, procedures, and funding guidelines pertaining to federal and state assistance programs designed to serve persons who have serious behavioral illnesses

Cultural factors that impact behavioral health

Concepts pertaining to cultural and diversity awareness and skill development pertaining to service delivery for persons of varying cultural backgrounds

Human behavior including developmental psychology and substance abuse

Behavioral health therapy modalities including counseling techniques used for family members, groups, and individuals

Significant elements of a psychosocial history

Current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual classifications

Local community resources including behavioral health and social service agencies designed to assist clients

Community care and skilled nursing facilities and licensing procedures

Telephone, office, and online etiquette

County customer service objectives and strategies

Current technology and trends in the profession

Skills and Abilities to:

Perform effective case management work and provide program linkages for adults and youth diagnosed with a behavioral health conditions

Perform clinical evaluations and assessments while taking the cultural differences of clients into consideration

Correctly and accurately use diagnostic tools and techniques for youth and adult clients

Utilizes sound and logical reasoning in order to make recommendations pertaining to treating clients in emergency and non-emergency situations and re-establishing or terminating LPS conservatorships

Conduct effective psychosocial and case assessments by obtaining psychosocial histories

Effectively interview clients, gain the cooperation of clients, and mentor or coach clients to develop plans and assist clients in achieving goals and objectives

Organize, prioritize, and complete a large volume of work within strict time deadlines

Maintain confidentiality of files and records

Communicate effectively orally and in writing

Effectively communicate in writing in a clear, concise, and understandable manner

Communicate effectively verbally with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and function calmly in situations, which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact and diplomacy

Treat County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public with courtesy and respect

Assess the customer's immediate needs and ensures customer's receipt of needed services through personal service or making appropriate referral

Provide prompt, efficient and responsive service

Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyzes and projects consequences of decisions and/or recommendations

Operate modern office equipment such as personal computers, calculators, copy machines, facsimiles, telephones, and file cabinets in a safe and efficient manner

Establish effective working relationships with management, employees, employee representatives and the public representing diverse cultures and background

Provides responsive, high quality service to County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner

Desirable Traits

Communicates Effectively, Customer Focused, Values and Respects Others, Drives to Excel, Teamwork and Collaboration, Continuous Learning, Demonstrates Ethical Behavior, Supportive of Change

Education and/or Experience

Education, training and/or experience, that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above. Qualifying education/experience:

An Associates of Arts degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field AND six (6) years of experience in a mental health setting providing case management services to individuals with serious mental illness. Two (2) of which must be post Associates of Arts degree clinical experience. OR

A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field, AND four (4) years of experience in a mental health setting providing case management services to individuals with serious mental illness. OR

A master's or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in social work, psychology, counseling or a related field, AND, two (2) years of experience in a mental health setting providing case management services to individuals with serious mental illness; OR

A master's or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in social work psychology, counseling, or a related field (two-year program) AND an Intern/Associates (ACSW, AMFT, APCC) registration number with the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR REGISTRATIONS

Required licenses, certifications and registrations must be maintained throughout employment in this class.

Positions may involve necessary and timely transportation for field travel, requiring the ability to arrange transportation to different worksites, meetings, or field work.

Certification/Registration

The possession of the following types of current licenses and certificates are desirable: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or an equivalent license issued by the State of California or other recognized national or state agency or organization; Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor from a recognized national or state agency or organization.

All applicants using a LCSW or equivalent license to qualify for this position are required to have a National Provider Identification Number (NPI) at the time of employment. Incumbents are required to maintain the NPI throughout employment in this class.

SPECIAL NOTES

Working Conditions

Work primarily takes place in an office environment and the field. Incumbents working in Probation may be assigned to work in youth detention facilities. Work in the field requires travel to locations within the County and takes place in locations such as residential facilities, medical facilities, referral agencies, and clients' homes. Incumbents may be exposed to uncertain, unpredictable, and emotionally charged conditions when interacting with persons who are irrational, erratic, upset, hostile, violent, combative, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Incumbents may be exposed to shouting and yelling, unpleasant sights and odors, and contagious diseases such as tuberculosis and scabies. Incumbents may be required to work during evenings, weekends, and holidays, and work on a standby and emergency call back basis.

Essential Physical Characteristics

The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

Continuous: upward and downward flexion of the neck. Frequent: sitting, standing, walking, repetitive use of hands to operate computers and office equipment, and lifting and carrying office items weighing up to 10 pounds. Occasional: bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, using both hands to perform simple grasping and pushing and pulling; and lifting and carrying clients' personal items weighing up to 30 pounds for a distance of up to 100 yards, and use of strength and flexibility to defend self from clients or individuals who display hostile or combative behavior.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45.00 - $67.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: On the road