Caseworker - BHDS (2 vacancies)

Compensation Range:

$44,967.00 - $67,450.50

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

If you're passionate about making a difference, apply today to join us in serving the community!

Job Description:

Job Summary:

• Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is seeking professional individuals to join our casework team for full-time case management positions in the Adult Administrative Mental Health and Blended Case Management Component. The employee works with adults with serious mental illnesses who not only meet state criteria but also must agree to participate actively in developing and following through with a service plan and maintain expectations for contact. The employee exercises considerable independent judgement and decision making in facilitating the consumer's use of community resources.

Reporting Relationships:

• This position reports directly to their assigned supervisor. Work is reviewed by the assigned supervisor through regularly scheduled supervisions. Work is also reviewed through observations both within the office and in the field, as well as reviewing of records, provider or consumer contacts and others as identified by the supervisor as needed.

Administrative Mental Health Case Management Specific Essential Job functions:

• Interviews and assess needs and strengths of consumers.

• Develops a service plan within 30 days of assignment.

• Maintains monthly contacts and meets in person with the consumer at least once every other month.

• Develops and sustains relationships between the consumer, family members, and provider network.

• Monitors consumer progress within the service and keeps parents and providers informed.

• Continually updates knowledge of both formal and informal resources offered in the community to better serve the consumer.

• Advocates on behalf of consumers.

• Completes numerous paperwork demands accurately and on time.

• Develops and maintains accurate and up-to-date consumer records including case notes.

• Arranges for financial liability assessments.

• Facilitates voluntary and involuntary commitments as needed.

• Assists other staff during emergency situations with consumers.

• Routinely provides own transportation to and from consumers' homes, meetings, outreach visits, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and is able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

Blended Case Management Specific Essential Job Functions:

• Routinely provides own transportation to and from consumers' homes, meetings, outreach visits, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and is able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

• Routinely provides transportation for the individuals they serve to access certain services.

• Interviews and assesses the consumers’ needs and strengths.

• Is required to carry a caseload of approximately 30 individuals.

• Develops a recovery plan collaboratively with the individual within 30 days of admission into blended case management services

• Develops and sustains relationships between the consumer, family members, and significant others.

• Refers consumers to appropriate services and resources within the community.

• Maintains required face-to-face or phone contact with consumers.

• Monitors consumer progress within services and keeps appropriate individuals informed as part of continuity of care.

• Develops and maintains accurate and up-to-date consumer records including case notes, recovery plans, crisis plans, etc.

• Completes numerous paperwork demands accurately and on time.

• Continually updates knowledge of both formal and informal resources offered in the community to better serve the consumer.

• Acts as an advocate on behalf of consumers and families.

• Arranges for financial liability assessments as indicated on an annual basis.

• Participates in staff meetings and training sessions; attends mandatory trainings as directed by the unit supervisor.

• Facilitates voluntary and involuntary commitments as needed in collaboration with Crisis Intervention staff.

• May be required to perform after hours on-call coverage on a rotating basis with other team members

• Complete required paperwork per the Blended Case Management Regulations. 

• Encounter forms will be signed as required.

*This position comes with a $5,000 sign on bonus

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES:

• Continually updates knowledge of both formal and informal resources offered in the community to better serve the consumer.

• Participates in staff meetings and training sessions.

• Adherence to all County and Agency policies and procedures.  

• All other duties as assigned by the Supervisor

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee; or,

• Successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern (BHDS or CYA) program; or,

• A bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; or,

• A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, human services or other related social sciences and one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency: or,

• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, human services, or other related social sciences

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.

• Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources and the recognition of their impact on the growth and development of people.

• Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional, or health problems.

• Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.

• Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as they relate to agency function and purpose and societal structures.

• Ability to work effectively with people and aid them to grow in the constructive use of their potential in adjusting to their specific problems.

• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with adults and children who are physically challenged, emotionally troubled, or economically disadvantaged.

• Ability to conduct individual and family interviews and to use them to identify individual and family problems.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, other staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the general public.

• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.

• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

• Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.

• Ability to adequately express ideas orally and in writing.

• Ability to use technology (computers, cell phones, etc.)

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES:

• Must pass pre-employment drug screening test.

• Must have acceptable background check that includes FBI Clearance, PA State Police criminal history and ChildLine clearances. Clearances are required prior to the start of employment and may not be more than one year old at time of employment.

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history in accordance with County policy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to work in a busy and open environment.

• Must be able to routinely provide own transportation to and from consumer's homes, meetings, outreach visits and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

• This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B.  Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B are provided.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired. 

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