Human Service Worker

LINES OF AUTHORITY: This position reports to the RN/Charge Nurse or Nursing Manager.  Unless specifically designated, this position does not supervise any other personnel; however, the position may require periodic participation in peer review activities.

POSITION SUMMARY: The primary function of this position is to assist clients to accomplish their treatment and case management goals and objectives.  The Human Service Worker is expected to cooperate as a team member in the provision of a therapeutic environment that encourages an increase in each client's level of adaptive functioning.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES /RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.  Coordinates with Nursing Manager/RN/Charge Nurse, social services staff, and other clinical team members in assisting patients to develop skills necessary to accomplish treatment goals and objectives, as measured by daily progress notes and weekly assessments.

2.  Works with patients individually and in groups to explore problems, offer support, and to provide instruction and coaching about basic living skills.

3.  Supervises patients both within the facility and during outside activities to ensure their safety and to identify and effectively intervene in crisis situations.

4.  Observes and documents patient activities and behaviors, noting staff interventions provided, the patient's response to the interventions and the patient's progress toward treatment goals. Competency is measured by review of client record documentation.

5.  Supervises and facilitates daily milieu programs/services as assigned, such as assisting with activities of daily living, symptom management, educational and community groups, and in leading activities groups.

6.  Ensures that the Pathways Facility grounds and premises are kept clean and orderly, and that all safety concerns are addressed as evidenced by Pathways documentation.

7.  Provides safe, timely transportation of patients to and from the facility as assigned.

8.  Monitors adherence to house rules, guidelines and policies as evidenced by knowledge of Clinic policies and entries in weekly notes.

9.  The employee must work well under pressure meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.  The employee shall, at all times, demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues and supervisors. The employee shall work as a team member as measured by supervisor's observation of interaction with other staff members and clients.

10.  Participates in the Performance Improvement Processes in the Clinic.

11.  Provides customer service to internal and external customers and stakeholders 

12.  Carries out other duties as assigned by RN/Charge Nurse or Nursing Manager or designee as evidenced by direct observation and timeliness of completion of assigned duties.

13.  Able to effectively de-escalate client using techniques as trained and outlined in approved crisis intervention models.

PRIMARY CONTACTS:

•   Ongoing interaction with clients throughout the shift.
•   Interface and collaboration with peers and other clinical team members, especially case managers and Behavioral Health Medical Practitioner, to coordinate client services.
•   Collaboration, as appropriate, with other community resources, referral agencies, and support systems, with the client's consent, to facilitate services and discharge planning.

POSITION REQUISITES:

Qualifications and Experience

Required:

•   High school diploma or GED.
•   At least 21 years of age.
•   Must be a non-smoker/non-nicotine user, or if a smoker/nicotine user, adhere to Clinic nicotine policy, as the facilities are nicotine-free.
•   Arizona fingerprint certified. Lack of certification status as per Licensing standard is grounds for immediate dismissal
•   Current Arizona driver's license and insurance clearance to operate Clinic vehicle.
•   Able to work shifts as needed: weekends, nights, days, evenings, holidays, and partial shifts. Demonstrates flexibility in working hours and shifts.
•   Ability to be certified in Coronary Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid.
•   Ability to attain a certified food handler's card.
•   Ability to become certified in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.

Preferred:

•   Prior experience working in an inpatient treatment setting.
•   Prior experience working with the seriously mentally ill population or children with emotional and/or behavioral disorders

Skills/Abilities

Required:

•   Fluent in English both verbally and in writing.
•   Interpersonal skills including the ability to instruct or coach others individually and in a group setting in the development of basic living skills.
•   Ability to maintain a calm, non-defensive, supportive attitude during crisis or potential crisis situations.

Preferred:

•   Skills in leading recreational leisure, and/or Basic Living Skills training.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS: Persons conducting assessments and/or providing treatment and/ or supervision for special populations are able, through training and experience as well as through agency-specific observation or competency  testing of performance to:

 SUBSTANCE USE

Staff responsible for providing services to substance using  members has appropriate training, education, experience, performance and demonstrate competency.

Staff must be able to gather and assess information about:

•   The relationship of each member's physical status to the substance use.
•   The nature of the emotional compulsion to use alcohol and/or other drugs.
•   The intensity of the member's preoccupation with using alcohol/and/or other drugs.

Staff must also demonstrate competency in their ability to:

•   Interpret information about a member's use of alcohol and/or other drugs.
•   Develop a written summary and/or treatment plan based on member's problems and needs;
•   Provide appropriate services.

CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Staff responsible for providing services to child and adolescent members have appropriate training, education, experience, performance and demonstrate competency.

•   Staff demonstrates knowledge of growth and development of children and adolescents.
•   Staff demonstrates ability to develop treatment plans and services based on member's problem and needs.
•   Staff demonstrates knowledge and skill in working with family systems.

SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL

Staff who is responsiblefor providing services to seriously mentally ill members has appropriate training, education, experience, performance and demonstrates competency.

•   Staff has knowledge and ability to gather and interpret information about seriously mentally ill members.
•   Staff understands the member's needs and the range, intensity, and duration of care, habilitation and rehabilitation required.

MR/DD

Staff responsible for providing services to mentally retarded/developmentally disabled members has appropriate training, education, experience, performance and demonstrates competency.

•   Staff have knowledge and ability to gather and interpret information about a mentally retarded/developmentally disabled member.
•   Staff understand the member's needs and the range, intensity, and duration of care, habilitation or rehabilitation required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Requirements

•   Able to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
•   Able to visually and audibly monitor clients.
•   Occasional lifting of 40 lbs. maximum and reaching.

Equipment Operation:

•   Able to operate common office equipment including phone, computer, copy machine, printer.
•   Able to operate Clinic vehicles.
•   Able to operate Clinic washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers as per Manufacturer's instructions.

Environmental Conditions:

•   Air conditioned and or heated office setting.
•   Recreational or community settings.

ACCOMMODATION(S):

Mohave Mental Health Clinic, Inc., will provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, unless it would cause undue hardship.  We define reasonable accommodation as any change in the work environment or in the way a job is performed that enables a person with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities.  We will make a good faith effort to list any special requirements in our job descriptions.