Caseworker 37.5 FT

Lancaster County•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

The Drug and Alcohol Caseworker is a professional position providing a full range of case management services. The Caseworker ensures that clients with drug and alcohol problems can access a continuum of care by identifying, referring, and authorizing appropriate services. The role oversees an administrative caseload and works under the direction of the Assistant Chief Caseworker. The Caseworker works in accordance with established regulations, policies, and procedures while exercising initiative and independent judgment. The position involves coordination with clients, families, treatment providers, community services, and the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission. The County of Lancaster states that it provides equal employment opportunity and offers comprehensive employee benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemical dependency, sociology, social welfare, psychology, nursing, or a related field, and one year of direct-service counseling or case-management experience in an alcohol or other drug treatment setting; or
Bachelor’s degree that includes or is supplemented by 18 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences, and one year of direct-service counseling or case-management experience in an alcohol or other drug treatment setting; or
Equivalent combination of experience and training.
Knowledge of social casework principles and methods, addiction and its treatment, current social, economic, and health problems, available resources, treatment facilities and human services agencies, and assessment practices.
Ability to build effective working relationships with clients from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, staff, outside agencies, institutions, and the public.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; interpret and apply regulations, policies, and procedures; work with people with disabilities, people who are economically disadvantaged, and people involved with the criminal justice system; organize work, prepare records and reports, set priorities, and manage a caseload effectively and on time with minimal supervision; and advocate effectively for clients.
Pre-employment background checks.
Pre-employment drug testing.
Driver records check required by law or policy to perform the duties.

Responsibilities

Attend required DDAP trainings within the first 365 days of hire and participate in ongoing training and skills development.
Understand and apply drug and alcohol confidentiality rules and regulations.
Develop positive working relationships with drug and alcohol service providers.
Place clients into the appropriate level of care.
Complete Requests for Client Placement forms for fiscal purposes and check clients’ Medical Assistance eligibility.
Review and approve residential treatment continued-stay reviews.
Monitor clients’ participation in, satisfaction with, and progress through treatment services.
Ensure continuity of care through discharge planning and coordination with community services.
Refer clients to other community services as needed.
Maintain accurate and complete client records and prepare clear, accurate case notes.
Sustain helping relationships with clients, their families, and others significant to them.
Advocate on behalf of clients and provide resource coordination as needed.
Participate on the Lancaster County Drug Court team and/or work with Lancaster County Prison’s Pre-Parole Unit.
Assist with annual monitoring site visits of contracted providers to ensure contract compliance.
Participate in the contracting decision-making process.
Represent the Drug and Alcohol Commission at community meetings.
Develop and maintain relationships in the drug and alcohol and human services fields, serving as a liaison between the Commission and the community.
Perform other duties appropriate to the Caseworker position at the supervisor’s request.