SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELOR III

Department Information

Description of Job

• Complete a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of patients being admitted for inpatient psychiatric treatment.
• Interview the patient assuring that assessment data is as reliable as possible, that the patient is engaged in a supportive and educative manner, that confidentiality is maximized, and that symptoms and behaviors are thoroughly evaluated and handled in a sensitive and safe manner.
• Contact/ engage parents/ family members, significant others, guardians, and referring agency personnel to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supporting information to enhance the understanding and dynamics of the patient’s situation.
• Complete the Colorado Client Assessment Record (CCAR) and the bio-psychosocial component of the hospital’s Integrated Initial Assessment document.
• Complete re-assessments of the patient’s situation and response to treatment as frequently as daily and documents patient progress in progress notes, weekly progress notes, and treatment plan reviews.
• Collaborate with and inform team members of relevant assessment information.

• Coordinates discharge planning through evaluation and assessment of patient’s needs as they relate to available community resources and exploring and mobilizing those resources
• Is the liaison between hospital and community agencies. Identifies and chooses appropriate community placements and treatment programs
• Provides case management by making appropriate referrals to community agencies, networking and directing reciprocal relationships with community agencies, Social Security, Social Services, Court system, jails, DOC, probation, parole, DYC, attorneys, CMHC, CCB, nursing, boarding, and group homes, individuals and families
• Attend meetings with the above-mentioned agencies.

• Participates in the direction and formulation of treatment plans and reviews.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary treatment team by recommending and designing treatment interventions, which meet patient and family education and therapeutic needs
• Provide required documentation

• This position assesses patient and family education needs and identifies readiness to learn, motivation, strengths, and barriers to the learning process
• Provide ongoing psycho/social education that is relevant to individual, social, and environmental factors and medical regimens to enhance mental health growth and stability.
• Educate patients and families regarding related symptoms of their disorders, symptom management, risk factors, relapse prevention, and level of care needs.
• Written or typed documentation of the above.

• Conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using social work theories and concepts relevant to the needs and pathology of patients and their families, considering their age, ethnic, cultural, religious, and sexual issues to affect behavioral change and reduce symptoms in the patient and the family.
• Interpret treatment issues, problems, expectations, and changes in behavior for patients and their families.
• Assess and document the effectiveness of specific interventions toward meeting the goals and objectives of treatment.
• The Social Worker III guides milieu staff by modeling patient interventions, recommending practice and patient “homework” assignments that they may implement

• Participates in orientation, educational workshops, social work discipline meetings, and training to assure and maintain competency in the provision of social work and treatment services.
• Provides consultation and training regarding social work services and clinical issues on a functional basis with clinical staff and discipline members.
• Participates in clinical and administrative supervision to enhance, ensure, and confirm skills, knowledge, competency, and understanding of assigned cases and team, discipline, and hospital processes.

• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a:

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

One (1) year of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.

• MSW in Social Work
• Knowledge of casework methods, techniques, and their applications to work problems
• Knowledge of the principles of human growth and behavior, basic sociological and psychological treatment and therapy practices
• Knowledge of interviewing skills and techniques
• Ability to express ideas effectively, orally and in writing
• Ability to use interviewing skills and techniques effectively
• Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making decision
• Previous state employee

• Travel – Willing and able to travel
• 2-step TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges
• Shall not initiate or engage in sexual, social, personal or financial relationships with patients either during or any time after hospitalization, even if the patient requests or initiates such a relationship All relationships with current or former patients must be disclosed on your application
• Successfully pass all modules of the CMHIP New Employee Orientation core curriculum to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete CTI and CPR
• Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
• Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled containment to the floor
• Withstand impact on own body using an ASP shield
• Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for using a defensive tactic
• Kneel on one or both knees and stand up again with multiple repetitions
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language; effectively and fluently communicates in English, both verbally and in writing
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings
• Annual influenza vaccination
• Former employees of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) who were disciplinary terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on your application and may not be eligible for employment at CDHS

Supplemental Information

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~