Psychiatric Social Worker 3 - WR39 - WSP

State of Washington•Walla Walla County - Walla Walla, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Social Worker 3 at Washington State Penitentiary provides medical, behavioral health, and substance use disorder transition-planning services for incarcerated individuals preparing for release. Working with internal and external stakeholders and the facility Health Services reentry team, the position assesses transition needs, coordinates and advocates for services, connects individuals with community resources, and develops continuity-of-care plans. The work aims to maintain health stability after release, support successful community reentry, improve public safety, and reduce recidivism. The position conducts release planning and reentry assessments, arranges follow-up care and community services, and coordinates with healthcare providers, state agencies, managed care organizations, and community stakeholders. It also supports eligibility and benefits applications, prepares and documents reentry plans, participates in multidisciplinary meetings, and performs other transition and continuity-of-care duties as assigned. The role is based at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington, and the listed schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The recruitment may be used to fill permanent or non-permanent positions.

Requirements

Must be able to obtain and maintain status as a Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor through the Washington State Department of Health, or possess a current, valid Washington State social work license.
Social work licensure or credential must remain in good standing; the employee is responsible for meeting applicable legal, educational, and ethical credential-maintenance requirements.
Must provide at least three professional references with application materials; phone number and email address are required for each reference.
Must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States and possess work authorization that does not require employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, and walk long distances; frequently lift up to 30 pounds, and in rare circumstances lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds.
Must complete respirator medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use respiratory protection as required.
A successful candidate may be required to provide proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days of hire.
Foreign degrees require a credential evaluation report attached to the application.
Employment is subject to a background check; a pre-employment drug test may be administered.
Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
One to two years of post-graduate experience providing professional case management, discharge or release planning, or counseling services to adults with severe and persistent mental illness, criminal or violent behavior, and/or chemical dependency issues.
Licensed Social Worker (independent or associate) in good standing, or a Master of Social Work and ability to obtain and maintain Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor status, or a Bachelor of Social Work with a master’s degree in a closely related field and ability to obtain and maintain Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor status.
Current, valid Washington State social worker license.
Three to four years’ experience providing professional case management, discharge or release planning, and/or counseling services to adults with severe and persistent mental illness, criminal or violent behavior, and chemical dependency issues.

Responsibilities

Conduct release planning for incarcerated individuals who need follow-up medical or mental health care.
Work with classification staff, medical providers, and mental health primary therapists to identify transition needs and community resources.
Complete Reentry Needs Assessments, healthcare-related reentry facilitation, and Health Services Reentry Plans for eligible patients.
Conduct reentry groups and forums in outpatient and residential settings.
Arrange follow-up medical and mental health services in the community as needed.
Coordinate services with other agencies, including the Developmental Disabilities Administration and DSHS Home and Community Services.
Coordinate healthcare needs with the individual’s Managed Care Organization when known.
Attend Multidisciplinary Facility Risk Management Team meetings when they relate to release planning.
Participate in case conferences with therapists, psychiatric and primary care providers, reentry or discharge nurses, and pharmacy staff as needed.
Coordinate Extraordinary Medical Placement referrals and, if approved, provide continuity-of-care planning.
Provide Narcan administration education to identified individuals before release as assigned, coordinating with the Reentry Care Navigator.
Facilitate Durable Medical Equipment needed for immediate support at release.
Document patient contacts and release-planning tasks using required Health Services forms, OMNI, and OMNI-HS systems.
Respond to kites and other release-planning correspondence in a timely manner, typically within five business days.
Enter daily OMNI encounters for face-to-face meetings with incarcerated individuals.
Facilitate Affordable Care Act, TOAP/Expedited Medical Eligibility, and Reentry Community Services Program services before release.
Meet with individuals before release to assist with ACA application documentation.
Complete EME applications for identified individuals, request Behavioral Health Discharge Summaries, and follow TOAP procedures.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and assist with Reentry Community Services cases.
Understand the Supplemental Security Income process and communicate resource information.
Coordinate with DSHS Home and Community Services, including arranging on-site visits when applicable.
Network and share information with community corrections, community mental health, housing and care representatives, and human services case managers.
Support medical and mental health staff by coordinating medical surrogacy or legal guardianship when needed.
Facilitate DCR evaluations.
Participate in the Coordinate Quality Improvement Process as assigned.
Perform other transition and continuity-of-care duties as assigned.