SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELOR III (CO Mental Health Hosp. In Pueblo) - #1408342

About The Position

This work unit exists to provide inpatient psychiatric evaluations and

treatment for severely emotionally disturbed and/or cognitively impaired

older adults who cannot be safely or adequately treated in the community. The

treatment program is designed to eliminate symptoms and behaviors of patients

such as suicidality, assaultiveness, psychosis, depression, and

agitation, which make them a danger to themselves or others, or gravely

disabled, although the majority of patients are hospitalized with a forensic

legal status. The purpose is to increase their mental health capacity in order

to return them to their community to live safe, productive lives. Direct

treatment utilizing individual, family, group work, and

psycho-educational treatment is provided.

Assessments

Duties in the position include:

Complete a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of patients being admitted

for inpatient psychiatric treatment.

Interview the patient assuring that assessment data is as reliable as

possible, that the patient is engaged in a supportive and educative

manner, that confidentiality is maximized, and that symptoms and behaviors

are thoroughly evaluated and handled in a sensitive and safe manner.

Contact/ engage parents/ family members, significant others,

guardians, and referring agency personnel to interview and obtain relevant

collateral and supporting information to enhance the understanding and

dynamics of the patient's situation.

Complete the Colorado Client Assessment Record (CCAR) and the

bio-psychosocial component of the hospital's Integrated Initial Assessment

document.

Complete re-assessments of the patient's situation and response to treatment

as frequently as daily and documents patient progress in progress notes,

weekly progress notes, and treatment plan reviews.

Collaborate with and inform team members of relevant assessment information.

Community Reintegration

Coordinates discharge planning through evaluation and assessment of

patient's needs as they relate to available community resources and

exploring and mobilizing those resources

Is the liaison between hospital and community agencies. Identifies and

chooses appropriate community placements and treatment programs

Provides case management by making appropriate referrals to community

agencies, networking and directing reciprocal relationships with community

agencies, Social Security, Social Services, Court system, jails,

DOC, probation, parole, DYC, attorneys, CMHC, CCB, nursing,

boarding, and group homes, individuals and families

Attend meetings with the above-mentioned agencies.

Treatment Planning

Participates in the direction and formulation of treatment plans and reviews.

Collaborates with multidisciplinary treatment team by recommending and

designing treatment interventions, which meet patient and family education

and therapeutic needs

Provide required documentation

Psychosocial Education

This position assesses patient and family education needs and identifies

readiness to learn, motivation, strengths, and barriers to the learning

process

Provide ongoing psycho/social education that is relevant to individual,

social, and environmental factors and medical regimens to enhance mental

health growth and stability.

Educate patients and families regarding related symptoms of their disorders,

symptom management, risk factors, relapse prevention, and level of care needs.

Written or typed documentation of the above.

Treatment

Conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using social work

theories and concepts relevant to the needs and pathology of patients and

their families, considering their age, ethnic, cultural, religious,

and sexual issues to affect behavioral change and reduce symptoms in the

patient and the family.

Interpret treatment issues, problems, expectations, and changes in

behavior for patients and their families.

Assess and document the effectiveness of pecific interventions toward meeting

the goals and objectives of treatment.

The Social Worker III guides milieu staff by modeling patient interventions,

recommending practice and patient "homework" assignments that they may

implemen

Professional Development

Participates in orientation, educational workshops, social work discipline

meetings, and training to assure and maintain competency in the provision of

social work and treatment services.

Provides consultation and training regarding social work services and clinical

issues on a functional basis with clinical staff and discipline members.

Participates in clinical and administrative supervision to enhance,

ensure, and confirm skills, knowledge, competency, and understanding

of assigned cases and team, discipline, and hospital processes.

Other Duties As Assigned Duties As Assigned

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal

Rights

Minimum Qualifications

Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure

Compact Licensure As a

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)