Caseworker Senior BHDS

County of Lancaster•Lancaster, PA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time case management position with the Mental Health unit of Lancaster County Behavioral Health/Developmental Services (BHDS). This position is within the intake component of the unit. This employee works primarily with adults, and occasionally children, providing assessment, coordination, and support in the program's most complex and high needs situations. This employee will serve as the liaison for the acute psychiatric inpatient units both within and outside the county. This employee may be called upon to provide more intensive support to newly opened cases while awaiting transition to on-going case management. The employee not only takes the lead in determining consumer needs and eligibility for Mental Health services but also develops service plans and informational sessions to address those needs. The employee exercises considerable independent judgment and decision-making in facilitating the consumer’s use of community resources. This caseworker receives less supervision and works more independently than a Caseworker. The employee also assists in training new caseworkers and represents the agency in the community as needed. The employee serves as an initial resource for Caseworker staff throughout the agency. The employee also serves as a resource for outside providers and personnel in other County agencies. Because the employee works with adults it is important that the employee have an understanding of the principles of CSP (Community Support Program) and Recovery Principles.

Requirements

Two years of experience as a Caseworker for Lancaster County; or A bachelor's degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences and three years of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency; or Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences.
Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing the administration of County Child Welfare or BHDS programs.
Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques and methods.
Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and available resources.
Knowledge of human development and individual and group behavior and ways of working effectively with adults who have social, economic, emotional, or health problems.
Knowledge of the principles and methods applied in collecting, reviewing, analyzing and interpreting case management summaries, statistical data, and reports.
Knowledge of the organization and structure of the court, judicial, and legal systems as they relate to community BHDS programs.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public education and consultation, and the development of resources and educational programs and materials.
Knowledge of basic principles and practices of supervision and administration.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families, police, representatives from other community agencies and agency staff.
Ability to facilitate and negotiate between the judicial, legal and the Child Welfare and BHDS systems.
Ability to analyze and evaluate program plans, operations, goals and objectives and make recommendations toward policy determination.
Ability to function independently and decisively.
Ability to develop resources and educational materials and to speak before a variety of groups and organizations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in high pressure situations.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, and set priorities.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.
Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.
Ability to express ideas orally and in writing.
Acceptable PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance
Acceptable FBI fingerprint Clearance
Acceptable Drug Screening
PA Driver’s License and acceptable driving history
PA Childline child abuse history and clearance

Nice To Haves

Understanding of the principles of CSP (Community Support Program) and Recovery Principles.

Responsibilities

Scheduling and conducting intake interviews, assessments and need analysis on adults.
Assisting with orientation and training of new employees or interns.
Working more independently and handling more complex situations.
Consulting and reviewing with Caseworker staff.
Interpreting and implementing standing procedures of a particular program.
Provide clinical consultation for caseworkers by understanding and advising concerning complicated cases and potential crisis situations prior to supervisory review.
Handling urgent or emergency situations in the absence of the supervisor.
Assisting with planning and scheduling of case reviews and other pertinent meetings.
Work with the Intake Supervisor to develop procedures regarding the intake process.
Work with the Intake Supervisor to compile intake statistics and develop a yearly report.
Schedule and conduct intake interviews, needs’ assessments and needs analysis to gather information concerning the consumer.
Provide back-up coverage for the Intake Screener and Homelessness Liaison when on leave and/or responding to an influx of calls.
Complete referral forms and authorizations for services plus any other supportive paperwork.
Establish supportive, helping relationships with consumers, caregivers, and providers.
Refer consumers and families to appropriate services.
Coordinate goal-oriented service plans in cooperation with the consumers.
Develop and maintain accurate consumer records and case files; writes reports plus prepares complete summaries and social histories.
Act as staff consultant for specialized areas.
Schedule necessary visits to providers.
Monitor and arrange for consumer’s continuity of care.
Participate in multi-system planning and collaborative groups or treatment team meetings.
Routinely provides own transportation to and from consumer’s home, meetings, outreach visits, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.
Responsible for collecting statistics/data regarding hospital and community intakes and fulfilling reporting requirements as identified.
All other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.