Social Worker/Mental Health Correctional Counselor

Government of the Virgin Islands

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is intensive professional social work in the assessment of mentally ill individuals incarcerated at the Bureau of Corrections. An incumbent in this position is responsible for the evaluation and crisis intervention of affected inmates. He/she will be required to perform diagnoses, develop treatment plans, give direction on clinical interventions and ensure appropriate care is given within the facility as well as upon any releases. An employee in this class works under the direction of the Warden. Direction may also be issued by the practicing Psychiatrist or the Medical Director.

Requirements

Master of Social Work (MSW) supplemented by two (2) years of professional experience of providing mental health treatment to groups to include mental health treatment planning, mental health program implementation and/or direct delivery of clinical mental health services.
OR A Master's Degree Clinical Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling or Behavior Therapy and three (3) years' experience, two (2) of which must be professional experience of providing mental health treatment to groups to include mental health treatment planning, mental health program implementation and/or direct delivery of clinical mental health services.
Knowledge of the methods of behavioral health treatment and intervention techniques.
Knowledge of the method of psychotherapeutic techniques and procedures incorporated with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
Knowledge of Federal and local (state) laws governing a penal facility.
Knowledge of counseling techniques, developing trends and practices in mental health assessments as well as the legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct governing mental health analyses.
General knowledge of biological, behavioral and environmental aspects of suicidal tendencies, emotional stability, mental impairments, developmental challenges or delays and substance abuse.
General knowledge of the security issues surrounding inmates' mental health care in a detention setting.
Skill in staying calm while working with people in crisis.
Skill in operating and maintain documents in Microsoft Office Suite application.
Ability to identify mental health problems and make appropriate recommendations based on observations and consultations.
Ability to collect, evaluate and interpret facts critically and to prepare detailed professional reports.
Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain healthy and professional working relationships with all persons encountered throughout the work day.

Responsibilities

Conducts intakes, evaluations and/or assessments for referred inmates.
Diagnoses and provides on going assessments, treatment planning and psychotherapy for suicidal and/or homicidal intervention and succinct management for high risk inmates.
Provides mental health counseling services to mentally ill, behaviorally troubled and developmentally impaired inmates through individual counseling, group sessions, and crisis interventions.
Writes reports documenting diagnoses, treatment plans, recommendations and progress reports for inmates retained in Special Management Unit and/or inmates who are on lock down due to mental health and/or behavioral concerns.
Coordinates or link inmates to psychiatric prescribers who require evaluation for medication or reevaluation of current medications.
Provides consultation to Correction Officers and healthcare staff regarding inmates' behavior and safety concerns who are experiencing mental health trepidations.
Provides mental health crisis intervention techniques for the BOC Personnel.
Updates and maintains records of services provided and encounters experienced appropriately and accurately according to facility and agency policies.
Maintains confidentiality as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Communicates effectively with mental health, medical, and security staff as well other entities involved with inmate's continuity of care.
Coordinates with attorneys, probation officers, and other professionals for continuity of care outside the limitations of the facility.