09/08/2008 40071

FORENSIC SOCIAL WORKER 2

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional social work at a Forensic Psychiatric Unit on the grounds of a Commonwealth facility.

An employee in this job performs as a lead worker over subordinate social workers for forensic patients who have been committed through the criminal justice system for diagnosis, evaluation and intensive treatment. As a lead worker, an employee provides guidance, technical assistance and direction to assigned social work staff and participates in developing, implementing and providing social services counseling and case management services. Work involves interpreting federal, state, departmental and facility social work legislation, regulations, policies and procedures; consulting and interacting with patients, agency staff, family members, or community agency staff; and providing advice, guidance and technical assistance for compliance with regulatory standards and for meeting social work goals and objectives for each assigned patient. An important aspect of the work is the responsibility for the care, custody and control of patients while they are participating in social services programs. Work is performed in accordance with applicable federal, state and departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures under the general supervision of a professional or administrative supervisor. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports and results achieved in meeting the social work program standards, goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Provides lead work direction and on-the-job training for assigned social work staff.

Participates in developing, implementing, and providing social services programs with agency staff.

Coordinates the provision of specialized services with other state or community agencies.

Interprets federal and state social work legislation, certification/accreditation requirements, and Departmental and facility policies and procedures for compliance with the social work regulatory standards and requirements.

Develops and conducts facility/unit social work staff development and training programs.

Counsels patients and their families utilizing various treatment plan modalities.

Assists patients in recognizing problems and exploring methods for adjusting, modifying and in improving personal and social behavior.

Collaborates with other facility staff in multi-disciplinary treatment team meetings by discussing assigned patients' psychosocial assessments and family history.

Participates in the development of each assigned forensic patients' comprehensive individual care and treatment plan.

Ensures protective, supportive and rehabilitative social services are provided.

Ensures needed benefits and services are obtained in accordance with patients' individual care and treatment plan and the applicable mandates, regulations, policies and procedures.

Motivates and assists patients to develop and make use of their own potential for improving their social, economic, emotional, physical and mental health circumstances and situations.

Refers or arranges for and encourages patients to use appropriate public, private and community resources to meet their social services needs.

Provides for or assists with the care, custody and control of patients assigned during social services programs or on the unit.

Prepares, reviews and evaluates reports, records and case management files on patients' progress in meeting the treatment program goals and objectives.

Recommends changes to individuals' social services treatment program.

Responds to correspondence relating to social services studies, court documents, parental or relative support, complaints or allegations of human rights violations, medical consultations, contracted service providers, rate payment for care and maintenance and public and private insurance or county reimbursements.

Prepares or ensures the preparation of social service discharge/case closing/transfer or referral plans summarizing patients' disposition and the need for continued aftercare or follow-up services upon discharge.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of professional social work principles, practices and methods.

Knowledge of professional casework principles, practices and methods.

Knowledge of social, economic, health, habilitative and rehabilitative problems, treatment methods and resources.

Knowledge of human rights protection with emphasis on factors relating to patients' legal rights.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior.

Knowledge of counseling techniques and interventions used to recognize or improve psychosocial, economic and physiological situations of individuals and families.

Knowledge of federal and state rules, regulations, standards and policies relating to social work services and programs.

Knowledge of the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as applied to social work practice.

Ability to analyze and interpret patient case records.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience as a Forensic Social Worker 1 or Social Worker 1 (Must have been employed in a Commonwealth Social Worker job title on September 8, 2008 with continuous Commonwealth employment);

                                                                                                                                                                           or

Two years of experience as a Forensic Social Worker 1 or a Social Worker 1 and a bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare;

                                                                                                                                                                           or

Two years of professional experience providing direct public or private social work services; and a bachelor’s degree in social work or social welfare;

                                                                                                                                                                           or

A master's degree in social work or social welfare.