Psychiatric Social Worker II

Recruitment #070622-MDDR02-350600

Introduction

Make a Difference with DHSS

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas.

We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today. DHSS is a great place to kick-start your profession.

For more information, please visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ today!

Summary Statement

The incumbent in this position will be working with adults suffering from severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse issues: on a 24 hour hotline, in the community.  Responsibilities include: individual counseling, crisis counseling and assessments, and monitoring client psychiatric symptoms.  Provides consultation to staff to enable them to intervene in crisis situations or directly handles explosive situations. Trains and orients new staff. The incumbent is considered essential personnel and must report to work in a state of emergency.


Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

  • Interviews patients, clients, family members and/or any other persons deemed necessary to obtain the most complete case history possible.
  • Provides information and counseling to client's family to enable them to cope with client's problems and promote positive interactions among family members.
  • Provides therapeutic treatment to clients, as well as referral services, contacting appropriate social agencies.
  • Prepares narrative, statistical reports and court reports if necessary.  May prepare forms of application for services or benefit.
  • Assists in evaluation; assessment and diagnosis of client/patient needs in order to effect the most beneficial placement in foster care, day care, nursing home, drug/alcohol rehabilitation or other special care facility to accommodate the physical and emotional well-being of the individual.
  • Prepares necessary forms of application for services or benefits.
  • Appears at court proceedings as required testifying to the social and environmental issues affecting the client/patient.
  • Provides technical guidance to organizations and staff regarding social work findings related to unit patient care, or provides consultation to other caregiving agencies.
  • Participates in inter disciplinary team conferences to formulate or evaluate a treatment plan.
  • Provides consultative services to state and private agencies; may participate in community projects.
  • Advocates for clients and families in the protection of rights; Obtains consent for treatment.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Psychiatric Social Worker II
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
  1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Behavioral or Social Science or related field. 
  2. Six months experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individuals human service needs.
  3. Six months experience in providing clinical treatment, counseling or determining eligibility for services or benefits as part of a treatment team.
  4. Six months experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
  5. Six months experience in narrative report writing.

Additional Posting Information

Due to a new requirement from the Centers for dicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) the following mandate is effective January 27, 2022: As a condition of employment, employees providing health care services and/or support services in covered facilities must show proof that they have received the dose of a single J&J dose or the 1st dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine effective date January 27, 2022, and proof of the single J&J dose or the 2nd dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine by February. 28, 2022. Employees may not provide any care, treatment, or other services until proof is provided.  Based on CMS guidance, the date for compliance may extend into March due to the health care facilities high vaccination rate of staff.  If you accept a position with the facility, your Human Resources representative can provide more guidance.  The only exception to these requirements is for those employees granted medical or religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which may require weekly COVID-19 testing. This will be in effect until further notice.  More information can be found here

Conditions of Hire

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources.

DHSS does not provide employment-based sponsorship.

Criminal background check:  A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.  The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at Delaware State Jobs.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.