Social Worker IV

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Waco, TX

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Social Worker IV performs and documents advanced social services work including serving as a liaison between the individual, legally authorized representative, and others to ensure ongoing care, treatment, and support using person-centered practices; gathers information to assess the individual's support systems and service needs, including participation in interdisciplinary team meetings, as needed; completes an initial social history, as well as maintains appropriate updates; may also support the assessment of the individual's rights and capacity to make decisions; designs and provides individual and group training to promote the exercise of rights and oversees training curriculum and materials; assists with the coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, and discharges, as needed; assigns and/or supervises the work of others. The Social Worker IV works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

• Knowledge of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, human growth and development, behavioral and mental health, developmental and emotional components of physical illness, and social work standards for case management.
• Knowledge of facility and community resources, and the principles, methods, and theories used to practice as a social worker.
• Skill in interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, information and referral, problem solving, supervision, consultation, and advocacy.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in both individual and group settings.
• Ability to supervise the work of others.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver's license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver's license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of Texas. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy. Must be able to drive state vehicles and golf carts.
• The Social Worker is required to maintain licensure in accordance with Texas Board of Social Work Examiners.
• Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker, Licensed Master Social Worker, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker is required.
• Five (5) years’ experience including three (3) years' of which must be working directly with persons with mental, social, or substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Interviews and converses with individuals, legally authorized representatives, and actively involved persons and agencies to create and maintain the individual’s social history through determination of what is important to the individual; gathers background information needed to assess the individual’s support systems and identifies the individual’s psychosocial, economic, and physical needs, with updates as appropriate. Examples include: upon admission or return from an extended forensic commitment; prior to transition to a new living situation; upon a change in status; and in preparation for the individual recovery plan meeting.
• Oversees the communication and information exchange between the individual, legally authorized representative, actively involved persons and agencies, as needed, and facility or treatment providers to ensure ongoing care, treatment, and support to maintain open communication; provides required notification; participates in interdisciplinary team meetings as requested; obtains necessary consents; and accesses external resources as needed.
• Counsels and provides assistance to individuals, their legally authorized representative, and actively involved persons regarding guardianship issues, annual living options discussions, end-of-life planning, and rights in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations and state and center policies.
• Assigns and oversees the work, time, and travel of Social Worker I, II, and III positions, and social work students including: interviewing and hiring to fill vacancies; training of new staff and current staff as needed; performing evaluations and counseling, as needed; and ensuring adherence to licensure requirements and social work best practices.
• Oversees and provides coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, discharges, and furloughs as needed to ensure access to services through the use of person-centered practices. Examples include: overseeing and coordinating tours of the facility for individuals and families interested in admission; providing information to the local authority to assist in obtaining required documents for admission including certified birth certificates, ISD records, and social security cards; coordinating with the receiving facility for individuals transferring within the State Hospital system to include transportation and the transfer of resident information, personal possessions, medication, etc.; providing education, consultation, and evaluating processes and procedures related to admissions, transfers, transitions, discharges, and furloughs.
• Designs and conducts individual and group training to explore and promote exercise of rights, voting, citizenship, and development of decision-making, person-centered thinking, and self-advocacy skills. Oversees training and curriculum development designed to support individuals.
• Organizes and participates in individual and family meetings and internal/external work groups.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees
• defined benefit pension plan
• generous time off benefits
• numerous opportunities for career advancement

What This Job Offers

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