CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER (HEALTH/CORRECTIONAL FACILITY) - SAFETY

The Clinical Social Worker will be directed by the Program Assistant and is clinically accountable to the Chief of Social Work Service through the Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker I at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Conduct or co-lead weekly skills building groups.
• Meet with and provide social work services for patients who have identified need, as defined by the Social Work Service.
• Develop and maintain contact with family of patients, as appropriate, and provide them with information when proper release forms have been signed by the patient allowing contact.
• Participate in all Interdisciplinary Treatment Team reviews of each patient on assigned caseload.
• Provide input on progress in treatment.
• Report on family, social and community resources.
• Identify current and ongoing treatment needs, and make recommendations.
• Write clinical progress notes describing and evaluating the patients’ responses treatment, as defined by the Social Work Service.
• Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team, State’s Conditional Release Program, Department of Corrections, Parole Agents, and/or representative from the dispositional setting to formulate an outpatient treatment contract/discharge plan and facilitate the patient discharge to the dispositional setting.

In order to be considered for this job vacancy, you MUST satisfy one of the following requirements:
1. BE LIST ELIGIBLE: Successfully complete the competitive State civil service exam pertaining to this classification at Clinical Social Worker (Health/Correctional Factility - Safety) Exam Bulletin, OR
2. BE TRANSFER ELIGIBLE: Have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable (employees who wish to be considered based on transfer eligibility MUST meet the minimum qualifications of the classification per DPA Rule 250), OR
3. BE REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBLE: Have obtained previous permanent employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable.

• Minimum qualifications will be verified prior to being scheduled for an interview. Please provide proof of minimum qualifications with your application submission, which may include a copy of your unofficial college transcripts and/or out of class paperwork.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Possession of a valid license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science. [Individuals who do not qualify for licensure by the California Board of Behavioral Science may be admitted into the examination and may be appointed but must secure a valid license within four years of appointment; however, an individual can be employed only to the extent necessary to be eligible for licensure plus one year. An extension of the waiver may be granted for one additional year based on extenuating circumstances, as provided by Section 1277(e) of the Health and Safety Code. The time duration for unlicensed employment does not apply to active doctoral candidates in social work, social welfare, or social service, until the completion of such training.] [Unlicensed individuals who are recruited from outside the State of California and who qualify for licensure may take the examination and may be appointed for a maximum of one year at which time licensure shall have been obtained or the employment shall be terminated; an extension of the waiver may be granted for an additional one year based on extenuating circumstances, as provided by Section 1277(e) of the Health and Safety Code. Individuals granted an additional one year based on extenuating circumstances may be appointed for a maximum of two years at which time licensure shall have been obtained or the employment shall be terminated. Additionally, they must take the licensure examination at the earliest possible date after the date of employment.] and Education: Completion of a master's degree program from an accredited school of social work, approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

• The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy. Please be sure to follow all instructions for each process.

• If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications, the applicant’s name may be removed from the eligibility list.

Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey

The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is a secure public sector hospital providing inpatient forensic services for mentally ill adult males who are court committed throughout the State of California. Located on the central coast of California, the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is in the vicinity of destination locations such as San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Morro Bay, with easy access to beautiful beaches, serene natural settings, and many historical landmarks. We invite you to join our professional and talented workforce.

The Medical Staff of DSH-Atascadero requires Clinical Social Worker candidates meet the Medical Staff criteria for allied health professional privileging set forth in the facility bylaws. Candidates applying for both licensed and unlicensed positions must submit the required documents listed under the Required Application Documents Section.

Eligible applicants MUST possess a valid Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners;

If unlicensed, applicants MUST have a valid Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) registration issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners by the final filing date to be considered for a hiring interview at this location.

You MUST provide a copy of your unofficial college transcripts.

You MUST include three (3) current letters of reference on letterhead, with signature, which comment on your experience doing psychosocial assessment, individual, group and family therapy, treatment planning and evaluation, and community liaison, consultation, and post-hospital planning. A recent MSW fieldwork evaluation may be substituted for one letter of reference.

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 3/6/2025

Who May Apply

How To Apply

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other - You MUST provide a copy of your unofficial college transcripts.
• Other - You MUST include three (3) current letters of reference on letterhead, with signature, which comment on your experience doing psychosocial assessment, individual, group and family therapy, treatment planning and evaluation, and community liaison, consultation, and post-hospital planning. A recent MSW fieldwork evaluation may be substituted for one letter of reference.