Caseworker 37.5 FT (2 vacancies)

Lancaster County•Lancaster, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time case management position in the Adult Mental Health Component of Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The employee works with adults with serious mental illnesses who not only meet State criteria but also must agree to participate actively in developing and following through with a service plan and maintain expectations for contact. A portion of the caseload will consist of members presently active with the Lancaster County Mental Health Court. Lancaster County Mental Health Court is a specialty court program for criminal offenders diagnosed with a serious mental illness. The employee works as part of the treatment team which meets weekly to discuss and assess the progress of participants in the court program. The employee exercises considerable independent judgement and decision making in facilitating the consumer's use of community resources. The employee will also have frequent contact with other professionals in multiple systems.

Requirements

Successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program; or
A bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; or
A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice or other related social sciences one year 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 current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.
Knowledge of current social, economic and health problems and resources and the recognition of their impact on the growth and development of people.
Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional or health problems.
Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.
Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as they relate to agency function and purpose and societal structures.
Ability to work effectively with people and aid them to grow in the constructive use of their potential in adjusting to their specific problems.
Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with adults and children who are physically challenged, emotionally troubled or economically disadvantaged.
Ability to conduct individual and family interviews and to use them to identify individual and family problems.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, other staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the general public.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.
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 adequately express ideas orally and in writing.
Pennsylvania Childline Child Abuse History Clearance, Acceptable-PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance, Acceptable FBI fingerprint clearance, Acceptable Drug screening
PA Driver's License and acceptable driving history

Responsibilities

Attend weekly treatment team and court sessions for Lancaster Mental Health Court on Wednesdays.
Maintain collaborative contact with treatment team members regarding consumer's treatment plans and overall participation with Mental Health Court requirements.
Refers consumers as needed to appropriate services.
Develops a service plan within 30 days of assignment.
Maintains monthly contacts and meets in person with the consumer at least once every other month.
Develops and sustains relationships between the consumer, family members, Mental Health court treatment team and provider network.
Monitors consumer progress within the service and keeps parents, treatment team and providers informed.
Advocates on behalf of consumers.
Completes numerous paperwork demands accurately and on time.
Develops and maintains accurate and up-to-date consumer records including case notes.
Arranges for financial liability assessments.
Participates in staff meetings and training sessions.
Facilitates voluntary and involuntary commitments as needed.
Assists other staff during emergency situations with consumers.
Routinely provides own transportation to and from consumers' homes, meetings, outreach visits, and other job related appointments in a timely manner and is able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.
Continually updates knowledge of both formal and informal resources offered in the community to better serve the consumer.
Adherence to all County and Agency policies and procedures.
All other duties as assigned by the Supervisors.