SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR-F/C - 60038013

State of Florida • CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL

6d • $38,000 - $48,400 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a highly responsible and professional position that will serve as Social Services Counselor – F/C. This position will collaborate with each section within the state facilities and be required to use independent judgement, take initiative in carrying out duties and responsibilities and should be extraordinarily detail oriented.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

This is a professional position in the Office of Social Services at Florida State Hospital providing aftercare discharge planning guidance and consultation with Recovery Team members, Florida State Hospital, court systems, mental health centers, other agencies, and Department of Children and Families Continuity of Care Management System. Maintains appropriate cooperative relationships with other disciplines, including, but not limited to, working closely with Social Services Management Team, Hospital Legal, Social Services staff, Civil and Forensic Liaisons, Benefits Coordinator, SVPP Coordinator, court systems, mental health centers, other agencies (including Agency for Persons with Disabilities), and Department of Children and Families Continuity of Care Management System to ensure the development of appropriate discharge planning/aftercare of residents state-wide while promoting the practice of cooperative team work in the work place. Ensures chosen discharge facilities meet licensure requirements according to AHCA standards. Coordinates discharges by scheduling all aftercare appointments to promote continuity of care. Assists with securing identification documents including taking to local driver's license office to have identification cards made. Completes requests for funding to payment of identification cards. Transports residents to discharge facility. Reviews discharge summary with resident and facility representative. Completes all required discharge paperwork by obtaining signatures and completes satisfaction surveys with residents. Completes post discharge surveys to ensure continuity of care. Functions as the Civil and Forensic Liaisons between Florida State Hospital and the court system, mental health centers, other agencies (including Agency for Persons with Disabilities), and Department of Children and Families Continuity of Care Management System. Provides consultation/coordination services related to the conditional release process and other social services policy and procedure relative to Civil and Forensic Services during New Employee Orientation and as assigned. Provides consultation/coordination of services related to standards through recruitment, screening, evaluation, orientation, and monitoring, and hiring interviews (at unit's request). Monitors completion of training module. Communicates information to Office of Social Services staff as indicated by job description and duties. Utilizes social work knowledge and skills to assist unit social service staff in expediting "stat" discharges as indicated or assigned by supervisor. Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of facility, circuit and department rules, regulations, and procedures. Position may maintain a caseload in a unit in the event of need. This will require that the position provide social services, counseling guidance, and discharge planning (i.e., identifying alternative living environments, securing financial benefits, identifying barriers to discharge, etc.) with individuals with acute or chronic mental disabilities, who are emotionally disturbed, indigent, or assigned a legal status of civil and ex-forensic. Participates on monthly contact with case management and interact with Community Case Managers and Forensic Specialists during case management visits to maintain effective working relationships, and to develop Discharge Plans and Conditional Release Plans. If carrying a caseload, the position will complete all necessary social services progress notes and assessments to include Comprehensive Psychosocial summaries, Baker Act Summaries, Advance Directive documents, and other documents associated with discharge planning in a timely manner, ensuring that Quality Assurance requirements are met, and Continuity of Care plans for residents being discharged are arranged. Represents the unit and social services department at legal hearings (if applicable). Maintains assessments in compliance with Department of Children and Families, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities, Performance Improvement and Planning, and Florida State Hospital Operating Procedures. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of counseling techniques and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work, nursing, education or counseling.
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data.
• Ability to develop treatment or rehabilitation programs.
• Ability to develop guidelines and procedures for the delivery of social services.
• Ability to develop and present staff development and training programs.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to follow through on all phases of the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of clients.
• Ability to provide casework services to clients.
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a social services field, and at least three years of professional experience in developmental disabilities, mental health, counseling, guidance, social work, health or rehabilitative programs.
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, education or nursing and two years of professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Providing aftercare discharge planning guidance and consultation with Recovery Team members, Florida State Hospital, court systems, mental health centers, other agencies, and Department of Children and Families Continuity of Care Management System.
• Maintaining appropriate cooperative relationships with other disciplines, including working closely with Social Services Management Team, Hospital Legal, Social Services staff, Civil and Forensic Liaisons, Benefits Coordinator, SVPP Coordinator, court systems, mental health centers, other agencies, and Department of Children and Families Continuity of Care Management System to ensure the development of appropriate discharge planning/aftercare of residents state-wide while promoting the practice of cooperative team work in the work place.
• Ensuring chosen discharge facilities meet licensure requirements according to AHCA standards.
• Coordinating discharges by scheduling all aftercare appointments to promote continuity of care.
• Assisting with securing identification documents including taking to local driver's license office to have identification cards made.
• Completing requests for funding to payment of identification cards.
• Transporting residents to discharge facility.
• Reviewing discharge summary with resident and facility representative.
• Completing all required discharge paperwork by obtaining signatures and completing satisfaction surveys with residents.
• Completing post discharge surveys to ensure continuity of care.
• Functioning as the Civil and Forensic Liaisons between Florida State Hospital and the court system, mental health centers, other agencies, and Department of Children and Families Continuity of Care Management System.
• Providing consultation/coordination services related to the conditional release process and other social services policy and procedure relative to Civil and Forensic Services during New Employee Orientation and as assigned.
• Providing consultation/coordination of services related to standards through recruitment, screening, evaluation, orientation, and monitoring, and hiring interviews (at unit's request).
• Monitoring completion of training module.
• Communicating information to Office of Social Services staff as indicated by job description and duties.
• Utilizing social work knowledge and skills to assist unit social service staff in expediting "stat" discharges as indicated or assigned by supervisor.
• Developing and maintaining a thorough working knowledge of facility, circuit and department rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Providing social services, counseling guidance, and discharge planning with individuals with acute or chronic mental disabilities, who are emotionally disturbed, indigent, or assigned a legal status of civil and ex-forensic.
• Participating in monthly contact with case management and interacting with Community Case Managers and Forensic Specialists during case management visits to maintain effective working relationships, and to develop Discharge Plans and Conditional Release Plans.
• Completing all necessary social services progress notes and assessments to include Comprehensive Psychosocial summaries, Baker Act Summaries, Advance Directive documents, and other documents associated with discharge planning in a timely manner, ensuring that Quality Assurance requirements are met, and Continuity of Care plans for residents being discharged are arranged.
• Representing the unit and social services department at legal hearings (if applicable).
• Maintaining assessments in compliance with Department of Children and Families, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities, Performance Improvement and Planning, and Florida State Hospital Operating Procedures.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Life insurance; $25,000 policy is free plus option to purchase additional life insurance
• Dental, vision and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Tuition waiver for public college courses

What This Job Offers

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