Social Worker III / Discharge Planning Specialist

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Waco, TX

4d•$5,747 - $7,254•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker III performs and documents highly complex social services work at Waco Center for Youth, serving as a liaison among patients, legally authorized representatives, involved persons, agencies, and treatment providers. The role assesses individuals’ support systems and psychosocial, economic, and physical needs; supports person-centered care; and may assist with assessing rights and decision-making capacity. It focuses on complex cases, post-discharge placement, and support, including coordinating transitions, transfers, furloughs, and discharges. The position works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment. The role also designs and delivers individual and group training on rights, decision-making, person-centered thinking, and self-advocacy, and may facilitate discharge meetings and work groups. It may assign and oversee the work, time, and travel of Social Worker I and II staff and social work students. The employee must maintain a Texas social work license of LBSW or higher and a valid Texas driver license, or obtain one within 90 days of hire. The position is full-time, based at Waco Center for Youth, is not eligible for telework according to the posting’s job details, and involves travel up to 15%. Flexibility in hours, overtime, extended hours, or alternate shift/location assignments may be required, including in disaster response or Continuity of Operations activation.

Requirements

Must have and maintain a State of Texas social work license at the LBSW level or higher.
At least six months of experience working directly with people with mental, social, or substance use disorders.
Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain one no later than 90 days after hire; eligible driving record required under HHSC Fleet Management policy.
Must be able to drive state vehicles and golf carts.
Knowledge of human growth and development; behavioral and mental health; developmental and emotional aspects of physical illness; intellectual and developmental disabilities; social work case management standards; facility and community resources; and social work principles, methods, and theories.
Knowledge of community resources supporting discharge of State Hospital patients with high or complex needs and State Hospital discharge policies and procedures.
Skills in interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, information and referral, problem-solving, supervision, consultation, and advocacy.
Ability to assign and supervise others, manage assigned property and limited financial responsibilities, work collaboratively and creatively on behalf of patients, and communicate effectively verbally and in writing in individual and group settings.
Ability to perform duties in accordance with the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Code of Conduct, National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, and State Hospital policies and procedures.
Must pass required fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and listed registry checks.
Must be at least 18 years old for employment at a state-operated facility; applicants for Waco and Terrell Centers for Youth must be at least 21 years old.
Must comply with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital immunization procedures.
Must be registered with Selective Service if male and between ages 18 and 25.

Responsibilities

Interview individuals, legally authorized representatives, involved persons, and agencies to create and maintain social histories and assess support systems and psychosocial, economic, and physical needs.
Coordinate communication and information exchange among individuals, representatives, involved persons, agencies, facility staff, and treatment providers to support ongoing care and treatment; provide required notifications, participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, obtain consents, and access external resources.
Counsel and assist individuals and representatives regarding community placement, living options, end-of-life planning, and rights under applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Coordinate transfers, transitions, furloughs, and community placement discharges using person-centered practices, including referrals for continued services and coordination of tours, documents, transportation, patient information, possessions, and medication.
Design and conduct individual and group training on rights, decision-making, person-centered thinking, and self-advocacy; develop curriculum and training materials.
Participate in or facilitate discharge program meetings and internal or external work groups, use available resources, and identify service gaps.
May assign and supervise the work, time, and travel of Social Worker I and II staff and social work students; may interview and hire for vacancies and train staff.
Perform other duties as assigned, including supporting disaster response and recovery or Continuity of Operations activation.