Caseworker 37.5 FT

Lancaster County • Lancaster, PA

7d

About The Position

This is a professional social services position in Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, within the Crisis Intervention Unit. The Caseworker responds to people in crisis, assesses their needs, provides short-term intervention and crisis counseling, and connects them with appropriate community services. The role includes responding to calls and emergencies in Lancaster County, conducting telephone and mobile face-to-face contacts, and coordinating with consumers, family members, other staff, and community agencies. A worker may handle a case from beginning to end or take over a case from another worker. The work is performed under established regulations, policies, and procedures, with independent judgment and decision-making. The Caseworker reports to the Casework Supervisor; cases and completed assessments are reviewed regularly for content, accuracy, and appropriate follow-up.

This is a 24-hour crisis program. Employees work various shifts, must be able to arrange shift coverage when a coworker calls off, and are required to work holidays. Full-time staff work a minimum of 3–5 holidays per year; holiday shifts are currently 12 hours. The Caseworker routinely provides their own transportation for consumer visits, outreach, meetings, and other job-related appointments. The role operates in a busy, open environment and may involve potential exposure to Hepatitis B. Training and voluntary vaccination are provided.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following qualification pathways: six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee; successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern program (BHDS or CYA); a bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; a bachelor's degree that includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in specified or related social sciences plus one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency; or an equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 12 college credits in specified or related social sciences.
• Have basic computer skills to use county systems and other computer applications.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Procedures Act.
• Knowledge of social case management principles, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of social, economic, and health problems and resources, and their effects on people's growth and development.
• Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and effective approaches to working with adults and children experiencing social, economic, emotional, or health problems.
• Knowledge of basic program interpretation and community organization principles and methods.
• Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as related to agency functions and societal structures.
• Ability to work effectively with people and help them use their potential constructively in addressing problems.
• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and work with people who are physically challenged, emotionally troubled, or economically disadvantaged.
• Ability to conduct individual and family interviews and use them to identify problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the public.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload effectively and promptly.
• 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 adequately orally and in writing.
• Pass a pre-employment drug screening test.
• Have acceptable FBI, Pennsylvania State Police criminal history, and ChildLine clearances before starting employment; clearances may not be more than one year old at the time of employment.
• Have a valid driver's license and acceptable driving history under County policy.
• Be able to work various shifts in a 24-hour program, work required holidays, and make timely arrangements for shift coverage when needed.
• Be able to routinely provide own transportation to job-related locations and access those locations with reasonable accommodations.
• Be able to work in a busy, open environment.

Responsibilities

• Respond to incoming calls to the crisis office and emergencies occurring within Lancaster County.
• Assess the needs of individuals in crisis, provide short-term intervention, and link them with appropriate community services.
• Conduct crisis counseling by telephone and through mobile face-to-face contact.
• Refer consumers to other services and develop appropriate short-term services as needed.
• Work with family members and significant others to implement short-term crisis intervention strategies.
• Facilitate voluntary and involuntary hospitalization as necessary and in accordance with the MHPA of 1976.
• Conduct outreach to hospitals, police departments, and locations in the Lancaster County community.
• Advocate on behalf of consumers.
• Keep current on formal and informal community resources.
• Develop, update, and maintain accurate consumer records.
• Assist other staff during consumer emergencies.
• Participate in staff meetings and training sessions when possible.
• Provide transportation to consumer homes, meetings, outreach visits, and other job-related appointments.
• Exercise independent judgment and decision-making in carrying out casework duties.
• Review cases with other crisis staff and participate in case reviews and supervisor reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The County states that it offers comprehensive benefits to employees; specific benefit offerings are not listed in the posting.
• Training and a voluntary Hepatitis B vaccination are provided.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level