Responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY: Provides supervision to unlicensed and licensed Social Service Clinicians and interns/students and ensures their supervision hours are documented appropriately, as applicable. Assigns patient cases to Social Services staff and ensures appropriate caseloads are disbursed. Responsible for interviewing, recruitment, and making hiring recommendations. The Director of Social Services is responsible for the day-to day operations of the Social Services Department and making recommendation for continuous process improvement. Continuous assessment of the quality of our Social Services Department and social service provision to patients and families. Conducts social history assessment interviews, produces a psychosocial assessment or assessment update from the interview data. The Director of Social Services will typically carry a smaller case load of 5, however this can fluctuate based on the needs of the department. Additionally, the Director of Social Services is responsible for caseload coverage in the event of staff call offs, resignations, etc., to assure maintenance of quality clinical services, in allignment with the Joint Commission and other accrediting organizations. Documents in the medical record: psychosocial histories, discharge planning, patient contacts, treatment updates, etc. Communicates all essential information/data obtained through assessment to the assigned team member. Conducts individual and family therapy with assigned patient cases. Identifies appropriate referral for post-discharge services and establishes rapport with same. Relative to the assessment, treatment planning and continuum of care processes, understands and considers basic growth and development milestones with interventions specific to the age and population served. Follows all policies/procedures related to release of information and confidentiality. Attends multidisciplinary treatment staffings as assigned. Functions as a liaison between team members and all involved Social Service Agencies. Conducts unit groups as needed. Assists in monitoring the Social Services Department for compliance with documentation standards via chart audits and direct observation of Social Services staff. Participates in a rotating AOC schedule to provide administrative support/coverage for the entire hospital.

Qualifications

JOB SPECIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Education: Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling required.

Experience: Prior experience working with a psychiatric mental health population, preferably in an inpatient setting.

Licensure/Certification: Illinois Clinical Social Work License (LCSW) required. BLS Provider certification through the American Heart Association and CPI certification required upon completion of orientation. BLS Provider and CPI certifications must remain active throughout employment.

Knowledge: Preferred knowledge of case management, discharge planning, group leadership skills, age specific growth and development, crisis and behavior management, family therapy theory and practice. Knowledge of theory and practice of psychosocial assessments. Able to work cooperatively with other hospital staff and involved community agencies. Good organization skills, as well as oral and written communication skills.

Supervision Received: Director of Clinical Services

Supervision Exercised: Social Services Clinicians

Line of Promotion: Director of Clinical Services

Working Conditions: Exposure to psychiatric patients who may exhibit violent/aggressive behavior. Potential for exposure to communicable diseases, blood/body fluids and other hazardous waste. General hospital environment.

Physical Requirements: Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Physical agility to manage patients. Push, pull and lift up to 50 pounds. Intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching and stooping.

The physical requirements described here are representative of those which must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

Job Classification: Exempt

This job classification in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The Director of Social Services will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by Director of Clinical Services.

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