SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR OPS - 60955521

State of Florida • Macclenny, FL

31d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the Social Services Counselor OPS within the Social Services Unit. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.

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.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, education or nursing and three years of professional experience in providing social work, health education, nursing or counseling services; or A master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, education or nursing and two years of professional experience as described above.
• Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
• Work History - entered with the most recent/current listed first: Any and all State of Florida jobs, Any and all Florida University jobs, All periods of employment, Periods of unemployment, Gaps 3 months or more, Education, Volunteer Experience.
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers including current place of employment.
• Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• If claiming Right to First Interview, candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions.

Responsibilities

• Actively participates in the treatment process, attending treatment team meetings, and contributing in the development and revision of individuals under treatment with their therapeutic plan. Interprets critical information about the individual's social history and current social situation to the team. Records community needs of individuals at the meetings, and jointly works with the team in making recommendations for treatment and discharge planning.
• Completes level of care (LOCUS) Assessments at the following intervals: Baseline, Annual, Semi-Annual and upon Discharge.
• Coordinates planned and unplanned discharges from the unit and serves as the point of contact between the community liaison with the catchment area and the unit, arranges an after care plan for unit based discharges, notifies significant others of discharge plans, arranges for transportation when necessary, and completes necessary discharge documentation and discharge notes.
• Develops and maintains expertise regarding community resources to prepare individuals for discharge. Educates treatment teams regarding available community resources and their relationship to discharge planning.
• Conducts individual counseling and group psychotherapy with chronically mentally ill persons, including geriatric individuals.
• Assesses level of functioning with regard to social and community life skills necessary for discharge to the community.
• Documents all social services treatment and unit discharge activities in the clinical record.
• Completes weekly and monthly progress notes, psychosocial histories, discharge notes for unit based discharges, admission and movement records, and event notes as appropriate.
• Updates the accuracy of face sheets, including information on changes of addresses and phone numbers, guardians and guardian advocates, 1st representatives, and other significant persons necessary to ensure quality continuity of care.
• Interviews/contacts family members of individuals being served to obtain data related to personal, social, and emotional history.
• Maintains regular contact with family or significant others through treatment team meetings, telephone contacts, and letters in order to provide updates on the individual's condition and current discharge plans.
• Counsels with family about sensitive situations involving individuals related to their mental and physical problems.
• Coordinates day passes and leave of absences with treatment team, legal department, and the Administrative Review Committee (ARC) as required.
• Coordinates referrals for prosthetic devices and medical equipment as necessary.
• Assists with habeas corpus requests and court appearances as necessary.
• Will be available to assist other staff with transportation on recreational outings, escort individuals to appointments for prosthetic devices or hospital wide celebrations, and transport individuals to the community for discharge readiness appointments or actual discharge placement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and assists in training new Social Services Counselors.

Benefits

• Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level