What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker position at Institute for Community Living , Inc.?
DescriptionJOB SUMMARY : Social Workers establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with individuals and their families by effectively utilizing professional social work skills. They may review the individuals psychiatric, medical and other case records and discuss issues with families and other members of the treatment team. As part of the health care team, the social worker is responsible for conduct psychosocial assessments; make treatment recommendations; participate in treatment planning; provide individual, group, and family therapy; assess availability of services; serve as consumer advocate; provide health education resources and services; and coordinate services with community providers. Incumbents advocate ensure individuals receive appropriate treatment / services that their legal and human rights are protected, and promote effective and consistent utilization of services and resources.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS : Interviews individual after a thorough review of the record to construct the psychosocial assessment.Obtains psychosocial history by interviewing the individual, the family, significant others, and former service providers to formulate clinical recommendations for therapeutic interventions.Assesses individuals health and mental health treatment needs.Prioritizes the individuals treatment needs; assesses impact of treatment on the individual and the family; assesses ability of significant others to assist in the treatment planning process; and involves the individual and significant others in a comprehensive health plan; to ensure health care issues are being addressed and with appropriate follow-up.Participates in the development of a written comprehensive individualized treatment plan that is based on the assessment of the individuals clinical needs; determines need for services and ensures that referrals for ancillary, support and consultative services are noted and made; reviews and updates individual treatment plan according to all applicable guidelines and in response to clinical change; and ensures that arrangements are made and documented for continuation of care well in advance of individuals planned departure.Provides individual therapy to enhance social, emotional, and behavioral functioning.Advises the individual and family about the nature of the illness, needed and available services and how to access them.May identify, coordinate and plan for the individuals financial needs.May identify and provide intervention to individuals in crisis in a range of settings; or provides consultation to others to enable them to appropriately intervene.Assesses the individuals readiness for discharge; identifies needed resources; works with consumers / patients, families and providers to link him / her with appropriate resources; may conduct follow-up visits.Prepares required progress notes, treatment team recommendations, written and verbal reports, discharge plans and other documents within required timeframes.As an integral member of the treatment team, ensures that all relevant clinicians are kept informed of the individuals clinical needs, family social adjustment, services needed and their availability through clear documentation of the record.Ensure health education, prevention, and resources are given to individuals, in conjunction with the health team provide appropriate referrals, follow-ups, and collaborative intra-agency.Promote health wellness events throughout housing programs with the health teams, acquire need resources, and partnerships.Conducts group life-skills training, treatment, or group counseling sessions : Prepares an outline of objectives and conducts sessions according to treatment program schedule.Meets with assigned group according to treatment schedule.Conducts specialized groups to meet the needs of target populations : maintains topic-focused discussion;Provides opportunities for participation.Ensures that content of group sessions is consistent with objective of treatment plan and meets the needs of the individual members.Ensures that individual attendance and participation in sessions is documented.Documents, within required timeframes, the content and results of group counseling or therapy.Periodically evaluates the effectiveness of assigned group sessions, and based on the evaluation results, makes any changes indicated.Provides treatment to family or significant others or advocates for such services : Reviews and evaluates the involvement of family / significant others in treatment and carries out corrective action as appropriate and / or makes recommendations and / or referrals for needed services such as mental health issues, safe homes for domestic violence, parenting skills, and how to apply for financial assistance.Takes a lead role in on-going efforts to increase the involvement of family / significant others in treatment program.Prepares an outline of family program sessions and objectives.Facilitates family education session according to treatment plan.Other responsibilities assignedESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES : Ability to work with clients, families, and staff in a caring and respectful manner, and with due understanding of and consideration for cultural differences.Ability to develop, evaluate, implement and modify a treatment plan, meeting all deadlines and productivity standardsAbility to communicate effectively with staff, clients, families, and the public.Ability to prepare accurate and timely documentation, reports and other written material as assigned using computers and computer software assigned (e.g., IMA, Word, Anasazi, etc.)Ability to understand and adhere to internal and external laws, rules, and policiesAbility to secure the cooperation of and work effectively with othersAbility to work independently, and to conform to all applicable safety and accountability measuresQUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE : MSW degree with one year of experience with individuals with serious mental illness and substance use. Bilingual in Spanish and French Creole, preferred. May be required to possess a valid NYS driving license and a clear driving record.FOR ALL POSITIONS : Continued employment is based on the ability to maintain professional licensure, current registration and participation in the Medicaid and Medicare programs
