Lead Social Worker

Responsibilities POSITION SUMMARY The Lead Social Worker is responsible for managing the treatment activities offered to the patients, which may include facilitating therapy groups on patient units; complete thorough assessments; assessing patients’ needs and compiling a treatment plan within a multidisciplinary team; planning and/or providing care, treatment, and services; collaboration and exchanging of information with the treatment team, external providers, collateral contacts, and/or managed care organizations; and implementation of the discharge planning process including completion of a thorough risk assessment and arranging for follow-up care and resources.

Utilize time constructively and in an organized manner to accomplish assigned tasks. Demonstrate flexibility and assume added tasks when the department needs change. Is receptive to feedback and incorporates feedback into daily practices.

In addition, the lead social worker is expected to review and sign discharge process checklist for administration, assist in the education and training process of recently hired staff, fulfill the tasks of float and provide support to units within the hospital as needed, facilitate group therapy as needed, fulfill the task of chemical dependency counselor as needed, and facilitate Writ, Riese, and Certification Hearings as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, counseling psychology, mental health or a related field.

Two (2) year direct clinical experience in a psychiatric or mental health setting. Experience in patient assessment, risk and safety assessments, treatment planning, community resources, group and family therapy, family systems and communication, and coordination with external review organizations preferred. Additional

Complete Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) and CPR certification within first 90 days of employment. Qualifications A. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Clinical Oversight & Leadership: 1.

Provide direction, guidance, and case consultation to unit social workers. 2. Support complex, high-risk, or behavioral cases to promote stabilization and appropriate 2. Support complex, high-risk, or behavioral cases to promote stabilization and an appropriate level of care. 3.

Assist in staff training, onboarding, and performance support. 4. Escalate unresolved clinical or operational concerns to the DCS. Assessments Complete thorough assessments and documentation within the allotted timeframes.

Include patients’ behavior, criteria for hospitalization, and risk assessment in documentation. Use the hospital criteria for continued evaluation for hospitalization and make appropriate recommendations for level of care upon discharge. Complete initial discharge planning and risk assessments.

Integrate assessment information with the attending physician’s initial treatment plan and compile a Master Treatment Plan with individualized, measurable, and observable problems, interventions, and short-term goals. Update Master Treatment Plan integrating the patient’s progress, obtained collateral information, and identified resources. Assess and document patient’s ongoing progress including progress towards treatment goals and make changes to the identified plan for discharge/safety as appropriate.

Complete a Chemical Dependency Assessment as needed. Case Management Engage, collaborate, and problem-solve with patients, families, treatment team members and community providers regarding patient status and progress towards discharge. Ensure/assist that the patient attends the appropriate level of care or program as indicated on the treatment plan or as needed when there are changes in the patient’s status.

Interface with the staff of the appropriate level of care to facilitate a smooth transition at the time of transfer. Maintain necessary documentation of all services and the quality of care. Communicate and enforce the documentation requirements with all levels of staff to meet accreditation and certification body regulations.

Maintain knowledge of a variety of resources to assist in patient care. Promote an effective use of resources for patients, customers and the facility with sensitivity to the cost of health care. Follow through on case management tasks such as discharge planning, documentation, and auditing chart compliance.

Ensure that patient’s rights are upheld. Advocate for the lowest level of care consistent with patient needs. Function as a resource for patient/families/significant others.

Coordinate high risk cases requiring reporting and coordination/communication with other involved agencies. Facilitate family meetings with patients, support systems, and service providers (if applicable) to enable appropriate discharge with safety and crisis plans in place. Use current systems and materials to provide "hand off" communication.

Discharge Planning Coordinate discharge plans with the patient/family/significant other that were identified by the treatment team. Provide, monitor and document discharge planning activities including but not limited to identification of discharge planning needs, involvement of patient, family and significant others as appropriate, completing referrals for aftercare follow-up, coordination of referrals to other agencies including transmission of necessary information.

Identify and provide appropriate resources to assist with potential risk factors and the patient’s identified needs. Organize the use of resources to keep the patient as close to home as possible, provide liaison to aftercare providers and follow up after discharge to ensure efficacy of the discharge plans. Treatment Planning Provide support and assistance to the patient and the patient’s support system.

Formulate an initial discharge plan from information gathered during the assessment process. Planning/assist in an episode of care to identify services that will be provided if the patient is moved to a greater or less intensive level of care depending on the needs of the case. Communicate with attending practitioner and treatment coordinator, and other providers of service, to assure continuity of care and expedite the flow of services and transition between levels of care.

Provide feedback to the attending practitioner and treatment team members concerning continuing certification of days/services. Group Therapy Implement a variety of techniques, approaches, and activities to engage patients in active treatment based on their identified needs and limitations in learning while adhering to group schedules. Provide Active Treatment to all patients throughout the hospital.

Document active treatment provided including group goals, patients’ response to treatment, and the progress in their treatment plan and file in patients’ medical records. Assure proper tracking, record keeping, and monthly reports with accurate data and conclusions and/or suggestions. Programming & Quality Assurance Ensure consistent implementation of therapeutic programming and active treatment on the unit.

Participate in support of random documentation audit Compile and submit unit compliance data to the DCS using designated tracking tools Monitor adherence to regulatory, accreditation and internal documentation standards. Other Duties Perform other duties as assigned Knowledge of and Adherence to Standards for the Care of Specific Developmental Stages Specific Standards for the Care of Adolescent Patients Ages 13 through 18 Maintain knowledge of the Adolescent Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.

Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior. Recognize acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.

Maintain knowledge of the different systems of care and resources available through those systems of care including: Child Protective Services, Juvenile Justice Dept., Adoption Services, Foster Care services, School Services, and EPSDT. Relate to adolescent patients in an age appropriate manner. Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs.

Facilitate family meetings with adolescents, caregivers, and service providers (if applicable) to enable appropriate discharge with safety and crisis plans in place. Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64 Gather information from the patient, family, outpatient provider (if applicable), and interdisciplinary team and use judgments based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.

Recognize behaviors and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behaviors and non-judgmental terms. Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines. Maintain knowledge of the different systems of care and resources available through those systems of care including: County funded services, Probation and/or Parole, Conserved patients, privately insured services, services for undomiciled/ at risk populations.

Facilitate meetings with patients, caregivers, and service providers (if applicable) to enable appropriate discharge with safety and crisis plans in place. Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of care for this age group. Specific Standards for the Care of Geriatric Patients Ages 65 and older Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.

Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health care and behavioral care Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgments based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care. Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patient’s functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.

Maintain knowledge of the different systems of care and resources available through those systems of care including: County funded services, Probation and/or Parole, Conserved patients, privately insured services, services for undomiciled/at risk populations, and geriatric services. Facilitate meetings with patients, caregivers, and service providers (if applicable) to enable appropriate discharge with safety and crisis plans in place.

Maintain knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group. Specific Standards for the Care of Chemically Dependent Patients Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge. Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care.

Maintain knowledge of the different systems of care and resources available through those systems of care including: Sober living environments, rehabilitation centers, county funded services, Probation and/or Parole services, privately insured services, and services for Undomiciled/at risk populations. Maintain an awareness of how personal issues relating the co-dependency can impact work performance/relationships. Recognize and establish limits on medication-seeking behaviors.

Specific Standards of the Care of Culturally/Spiritually Diverse Patients Recognize that everyone is uniquely multicultural (belonging to many subgroups, which define the person’s belief system, behavior, language work ethic, etc.). Show an awareness of differences in communication styles and cultural and spiritual values and work ethics. Show an ability to refrain from assuming that everyone is “just like me” or judging others by one’s own