09/08/2008 40061

FORENSIC SOCIAL WORKER 1

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

An employee in this job develops, implements and provides social work, counseling and case management services to forensic patients who have been committed through the criminal justice system for diagnosis, evaluation and intensive treatment. Programs are designed to enhance their social functioning and to help them attain a satisfactory social, economic, emotional or physical adjustment. Work involves interacting with patients, family members, guardians, facility staff, and staff from external agencies to plan, provide, or coordinate needed social work services. An important aspect of the work is the responsibility for the care, custody and control of forensic patients while they are participating in social services programs. Work is performed in accordance with applicable federal, state, and departmental policies, procedures and regulations under the general supervision of a professional or administrative supervisor. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports and results achieved in meeting goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Provides social work, counseling, and case management services to patients.

Interviews patients, family members or legal guardians, or external agency representatives to obtain information regarding patients' physical, mental, emotional, economic and social status.

Assesses patients' psychosocial strengths, weaknesses and social services needs.

Counsels patients or family members utilizing various treatment modalities to help the patient or family members to recognize the problem[s].

Assists patients in exploring methods to adjust, modify and improve personal and social behavior.

Collaborates with other facility staff in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings by discussing patient psychosocial assessments.

Participates in the development and implementation of each assigned patient's comprehensive individual care and treatment plan.

Serves as an advocate for each assigned patient by providing protective, supportive and rehabilitative social services.

Obtains needed benefits and services in accordance with patient's individual care and treatment plan and applicable mandates, regulations, policies and procedures.

Records, updates and maintains assigned case management file on patient's progress in meeting treatment program goals and objectives.

Advises patients, family members, or legal guardians of current progress to encourage their support and input.

Responds to correspondence relating to court documents, parental or relative support, medical consultations, contracted service providers, rate payments for care and maintenance, and public and private insurance or county reimbursements.

Confers with facility staff, external agency representatives and family members regarding discharge planning.

Writes social services discharge/case closing/transfer plans summarizing patients' dispositions and if appropriate, the need for aftercare or follow-up services upon discharge.

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

Prepares records and reports in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Performs other 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 individual and group behavior.

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

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

Knowledge of commonly occurring physical and mental illnesses and their social, economic and psychological implications.

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

Ability to read and interpret rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to social work services and programs.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A bachelor's or master’s degree in social work or social welfare.