Psychiatric Social Worker II - Outpatient Care Services

Salary: $35.06-$47.91 per hour

SUMMARY

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) within Los Angeles County is looking for Psychiatric Social Worker IIs to join our Directly Operated Outpatient Clinics.   DMH has over 30 outpatient clinics in eight service areas throughout the County.  Our clinics provide a spectrum of mental health services to people of all ages to support hope, recovery, and wellbeing.

Positions allocable to this journey-level class are assigned to community mental health facilities, outpatient mental health clinics, and specialized mental health treatment programs and work under the general supervision of a higher level psychiatric social worker position, supervisory mental health position, or a psychiatrist. Within agency guidelines and professional standards, incumbents function independently to formulate differential diagnoses concerning the nature of the mental illness, in order to develop an effective intervention and to determine the appropriate psychotherapeutic methods to be utilized.

Such psychotherapeutic methods include group, family, individual and conjoint therapy, clinical case management, and crisis intervention. Duties and responsibilities of this position require the application of professional skills and possession of extensive knowledge pertaining to the principles, practices, and theory of psychiatric social work. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct clinical intake assessments with clients and their families/significant others and collaborate with client to develop treatment plans.
• Provide crisis counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, groups, and to promote engagement into treatment. Assist in problem solving and work to gain clients acceptance for the potential benefits of mental health treatment.
• Monitor client’s treatment plan and assist with any linkage or case management’s needs.
• Completes and submits treatment progress notes and adjunct documentation as required under DMH documentation standards, including CANS/PSC35 and any additional rating scales to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of assigned cases in accordance with DMH documentation standards.
• Conduct outreach activities to local referral sources, including, but not limited to schools, DCFS co-located staff, day care centers, etc.
• May evaluate and provide case management needs for client and family, including Dept. of Children & Family Services (DCFS), Regional Center, etc. to link client with appropriate type and level of mental health, academic, social and health needs.
• Advocates on the behalf of patient for treatment and resources to provide quality and continuity of care.
• Formulates and implements aftercare plans assuring continuity of care upon release.
• Facilitate support groups and fill in for any group facilitator that may be absent.
• Provides services to clients who “walk-in” to the clinic for clinical assessment, assessment of child and family, crisis intervention, triage, crisis management, and 5150 or 5585 criteria as necessary.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings (MDT’s) to discuss and evaluate client treatment and progress.
• Attends and participates in scheduled staff meetings and /additional meetings as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Clinical social work in community mental health, homeless services, or healthcare strongly preferred.
• Experience/expertise in assessing and managing clients with severe persistent mental illness preferred.
• Experience/expertise in trauma-informed care and harm reduction principles preferred.
• Familiarity with DMH, DPH and community mental health, substance use, housing/homelessness programs and resources.

Education/Experience

• A Master's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of clinical work experience.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• A valid and active license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Behavioral Sciences.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Successful clearance through Los Angeles County’s Live Scan process.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Experience working effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to be flexible with program changes and work duties.
• Strong interpersonal skills with effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to independently problem solve.
• Strong organizational skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand: Frequently

Walk: Frequently

Sit: Frequently

Handling: Occasionally

Reach Outward: Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally

Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 10 lbs

Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 10 lbs

See: Constantly

Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly = (5 hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Salary : $35 - $48