Director of Social Services (Santa Rosa)

POSITION TITLE: Director of Social Services

REPORTS TO (TITLE): Chief Executive Officer

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Along with the Director of Clinical Services (DCS), provides ongoing daily supervision to all staff providing Social Service and therapeutic functions. Monitors case load assignments, program assignments and implementation of department services. Compiles data for ongoing Quality Improvement activities within the department. Assists DCS by arranging coverage and monitors timecard and payroll approvals. Provides full range of therapeutic services for patients being treated for both psychiatric issues including crisis intervention, individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy and psycho-education. Maintains a patient case load and completes a variety of case management services including psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, discharge planning and documentation. Maintains a thorough knowledge base of community resources and age specific interventions for patient population served. Develop and improve clinical programming.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinates social services programs with other organizational programs in cooperation with the interdisciplinary teams involved.
• Provides in-service training for social service staff and other employees as needed.
• Oversee and evaluate clinical consultations being executed by staff to ensure effective service delivery.
• Provides guidance to staff to assist them in continually improving all aspects of care.
• Conducts psychosocial assessments to document history and identify preliminary issues for treatment focus by interviewing the patient and their family members.
• Provides group process-oriented therapy as well as conducting educational and other didactic groups for patients and family members using various professional treatment modalities.
• Responsible for scheduling and staffing to ensure adequate coverage.
• Develops and coordinates an individualized discharge plan for the patient by utilizing treatment team and written chart information to determine the patient's aftercare needs. Access by phone or written correspondence family or community resources such as nursing homes, group homes, or private mental health practitioners to meet patients aftercare needs.
• Attends regular treatment team meetings to provide social work perspectives to total case management of the patient by discussing progress notes charts and communicating any state or local agency legal requirement for case management with the interdisciplinary team.
• Current on referral sources and interacts effectively with patients, peers and other staff on appropriate patient treatment options.
• Understands and communicates the disease pathology associated with behavioral conditions and their models of treatment.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with physicians, nursing staff, health professional affiliates in community, and other departments within the facility.
• Demonstrates good skills in assessing client's crisis and clinical indicators.
• Prepares written report of assessment results in a timely manner (immediately following completed assessment) and includes recommendations for the level of care and treatment needs.
• Makes appropriate interventions during assessments, and crisis situations with clients, family/friends and other professional staff.
• Assesses need for involuntary hospitalization evaluation and contacts county crisis team, law enforcement or Legal 2000 (L2K) employee as needed to ensure the safety of client and others.
• Maintains knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of pertinent age groups.
• Maintains knowledge of legal guidelines pertaining to EMTALA/COBRA and abuse/neglect reporting.
• Stays abreast of organization's programs and services.
• Participates in activities which enhance professional growth and development.
• Performs related duties, as requested.
• Upholds the Organization's ethics and customer service standards.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of Santa Rosa Behavioral Healthcare Hospital.

Requirements

POSITION Requirements:

Knowledge and Experience:

• Master’s degree from an accredited school of social work or must be qualified by education and experience in the social services needs of the mentally ill.
• Licensure in the state of California as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Minimum five (5) years’ of direct clinical experience in a psychiatric/mental health and addictions treatment setting, with at least one (1) year of management experience.
• Experience supervising licensed staff required.
• Board of Social Work approved Clinical Supervisor strongly preferred.
• Familiarity and comfortable working with issues related to mental health diagnosis, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders and history of trauma.
• Current CPR certification
• CPI obtained within 60 days of hire
• Familiarity with continuum of care and clinical terminology

Skills and Abilities:

• Maintains confidentiality of patients at all times
• Knowledgeable of patient rights and laws pertaining to mental health
• Assessment and intervention skills
• Persuasive manner and skills in overcoming denial and resistance to treatment
• Ability to concentrate on task in high traffic areas
• Ability to deal with crisis and potentially combative patients while maintaining personal and emotional equilibrium.
• Sensitivity to and willingness to interact with persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds
• Proficiency with software and/or equipment (Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects, work relatively independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work with people with a variety of background and educational levels.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good judgment, problem solving and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively as well as possessing the skills to lead, influence, and motivate others
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, expanding organization

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is frequently required to do the following:

• Communicate effectively in person or via telephone in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the person is speaking, including a diverse population.
• Give and follow verbal and written instructions with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Perform complex mental functions and basic arithmetic functions; interpret complex laws, regulations, and policies; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information.
• Minimum standard of visual acuity with or without correction.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Reach forward, up, down, and to the side.
• Ability to stoop, lift, finger (pick, pinch or type and grasp)
• Drive, sit and/or stand for minimum periods of one hour or more at a time
• Lift up to 50 pounds, exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently.

Benefits

• Medical
• Vision
• Dental
• 401(k)
• Generous PTO package
• $25,000 Life insurance policy is provided at no charge to the employee