Caseworker 37.5 FT

Starting Compensation:

$44,967.00/Annually

Find job security and stability alongside a growing community and a team that supports you. Level up your career through a large network and specialty training.

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Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• This is a full-time case management position in the Adult Mental Health Component of Lancaster County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
• 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.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Interviews and assess needs for consumers.
• Develops a service plan within 30 days of assignment.
• Refers consumers as needed to appropriate services.
• 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.

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.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Required prior to active employment:
• Pennsylvania Childline Child Abuse History Clearance
• Acceptable-PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance
• Acceptable FBI fingerprint clearance
• Acceptable Drug screening
• Clearances no more than one year old at time of employment will be accepted.
• Required clearances must be received prior to active employment.
• PA Driver's License and acceptable driving history

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Case Management must be able to work in a busy and open environment. Case Management must be able to routinely provide his/her 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 is provided.
• 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.

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.