Caseworker 37.5 FT

County of Lancaster•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

The Drug and Alcohol Caseworker is a professional position providing a full range of case management services. The Caseworker is primarily responsible for ensuring that clients with drug and alcohol problems have access to a continuum of care by identifying, referring, and authorizing appropriate services. The Caseworker oversees an administrative caseload and works under the direction of the Assistant Chief Caseworker. The Caseworker performs work in accordance with established regulations, policies, and procedures, while exercising initiative and independent judgment. The role includes coordinating treatment and community services, maintaining client records, advocating for clients, and supporting provider contract monitoring and community relationships.

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, human services agencies, and assessment practices.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the public.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; interpret and apply regulations, policies, and procedures; and work with people with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities, people who are economically disadvantaged, and people involved with the criminal justice system.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload effectively and promptly with minimal supervision.
Ability to advocate effectively on behalf of clients.
Pre-employment background checks and drug testing.
Driver records check, as 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 properly 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 client care through discharge planning and coordination with community services.
Refer clients to other community services as needed and provide resource coordination as needed.
Maintain accurate and complete client records and produce clear and accurate case notes.
Sustain helping relationships with clients, their families, and others significant to them.
Advocate on behalf of clients.
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 and act as a liaison between the Commission and the community by developing and maintaining relationships in the drug and alcohol and human services fields.
Perform other duties appropriate to the Caseworker position at the supervisor’s request.