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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50314717 |
Description Activated On: 9/29/2026 11:21:00 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This Social Work position is assigned to the Civil/Step-Down Units, which serve male and female patients on court-ordered mental-health treatment under judicial oversight. The Social Worker functions as an essential member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, providing therapeutic group interventions, discharge planning, and case management to promote recovery and community reintegration. Core responsibilities include comprehensive case-management duties for the assigned unit/ward, such as: Coordinating communication between patients, their attorneys, and community partners, scheduling, coordinating, and attending virtual county meetings as directed, ensuring ongoing collaboration with county agencies, families, and treatment providers, and transporting patients to community placements during discharge or follow-up planning. Because this role supports former forensic patients, the Social Worker must maintain clear professional boundaries and demonstrate sound judgment and therapeutic composure in all interactions. Additional responsibilities include completing initial and annual assessments, maintaining current documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR), contributing to individualized treatment plans, and assisting with the development of appropriate aftercare referrals. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. - Provides ongoing case-management services for assigned patients, including coordination with attorneys, courts, county staff, and outpatient providers. - Conducts comprehensive psychosocial assessments and organizes findings in the EHR per departmental standards. - Completes required forms (e.g., releases of information, patient rights, financial eligibility) within established timeframes. - Participates as an active member of the unit’s multidisciplinary team, contributing social-work data and recommendations for treatment and discharge planning. - Transports patients to off-site interviews and community placements as part of the discharge process. - Provides peer coverage and assists colleagues when directed by Social Work Leadership. - Maintains hospital-mandated certifications and completes required training related to crisis intervention and patient care. - Attends unit, departmental, and community-partner meetings as assigned. - Ensures all treatment-plan and progress documentation meets hospital and regulatory standards. - Establishes professional working relationships with team members while maintaining boundaries with patients. - Delivers therapeutic interventions in alignment with individualized treatment goals. - Revises treatment or discharge strategies based on reassessment or team input. - Maintains familiarity with community resources and assists in developing new resources when appropriate. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. - Exercises independent judgment in patient assessment, referral decisions, and resource coordination. - Escalates complex, high-risk, or legal matters to Social Work Leadership for review and approval. - Advocates on behalf of patients by coordinating with outside providers and agencies to ensure continuity of care. - Documents all contacts, referrals, and outcomes in the EHR per policy. - Maintains current knowledge of departmental standards, hospital policy, and community resources to support sound decision-making. REQUIREMENTS PROFILE Experience Prior experience or internship in behavioral-health, forensic, or medical social services; proficiency in documentation and computer use (EHR preferred). Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications 1. Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Social Work or Social Welfare (required) 2. Pennsylvania Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or eligibility (preferred) 3. Valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License (required) ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 1. Read and apply records, policies, and procedures. 2. Maintain a valid driver’s license to transport patients. 3. Demonstrate working knowledge of computers and EHR systems. 4. Communicate effectively with patients, attorneys, and community partners. 5. Develop and write psychosocial assessments and case-management documentation. 6. Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times. 7. Demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills. 8. Observe, assess, and document patient behaviors accurately. 9. Apply HIPAA and confidentiality regulations consistently. 10. Participate in multidisciplinary treatment and discharge planning meetings. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Social Worker 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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