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Form of workJob Description
Summary:
- Ref #: M-SW-8089335
- Profession: Allied Health
- Specialty: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Job Type: Contract
- Open To Travelers: Yes
- Facility Type: Correctional
- Location: Blythe, California
- Start Date: ASAP
- Duration: 28 weeks
- Schedule: Thu-Fri, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
- Rate: $65/hour
Requirements:
- Valid and active California LCSW license
- At least 12 consecutive months of performing similar services within the last 3 years
- BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross (with AED)
- Must be proficient in the English Language (Speaking/Writing)
Responsibilities:
The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the correctional facility is responsible for providing mental health services to mentally ill inmates/wards under the guidance of the Senior Psychologist, Supervisor, or Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker and/or the Chief of Mental Health (CMH). LCSWs ensure order, supervise patients, protect safety, and perform other related tasks. The LCSW must perform various essential functions as follows:
- Being available for on-call duty during scheduled work days to handle patient emergencies.
- Performing mental health assessments, considering criminal, psychological, & substance history.
- Conducting suicide risk evaluations, applying protocols, reviewing data, documenting, and consulting as needed.
- Engaging with mentally ill patient-inmates/youths for crisis intervention, group psychotherapy, and face-to-face interviews. This may include conducting clinical interviews at cell fronts in inmate housing units, which could involve climbing stairs and walking long distances in multi-tiered housing units.
- Identifying relevant signs and symptoms of psychiatric disorders to comprehensively assess, diagnose, and manage presenting symptoms.
- Writing clinical reports on diagnoses and prognoses, and developing treatment plans that adhere to the standard of practice.
- Consulting with supervisors, treatment team members, institutional health care personnel, and other divisions within the department on complex cases.
- Thoroughly documenting all care provided to inmates, including face-to-face contacts and Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IOTTs) meetings.
- Monitoring inmate progress using recommended Mental Health-approved documentation formatting for progress notes.
- Applying community standards of practice for non-medical treatment modalities and ethical standards effectively.
- Performing mental status exams (MSE) in face-to-face clinical interviews.
- Examining prior mental health records, institutional chronos, probation reports, court records, and other available documents to aid in formulating patient diagnoses and developing treatment plans.
- Conducting mental health education and developing additional resources for mentally ill and sex offender patient-inmates/youths.
- Assisting patient-inmates/youths in applying for entitlement benefits (SSI), community programs, and services.
- Facilitating patient-inmates/youths' transition between various settings within the institution.
- Performing pre-release functions for releasing patient-inmates/youths, including patient education and facilitating transition to county mental health and community mental health treatment programs.
- Providing medical social functions as needed, particularly in CTC (Correctional Treatment Center) setting.
- Participating in IDTT (Interdisciplinary Treatment Team) meetings.
- Compiling and analyzing data from audits related to mental health program requirements.
- Providing information (e.g., appointment documentation, no-shows) to support staff for data entry.
- Preparing written reports and consulting with the Board of Prison Hearings and other staff.
- Providing information to relatives/caregivers concerning patients in person, by phone, or by correspondence.
- Developing a therapeutic relationship with patient-inmates, families, and caretakers, as assigned by the supervisor, to enhance effective treatment delivery.
- Representing the Department at formal and informal settings regarding mental health matters related to Clinical Social work.
- Ensuring the safety and security of property, including documenting unusual occurrences and maintaining inventory control of psychological testing material, reference material, computers, and other equipment.
- Maintaining order and supervising the conduct of persons committed to the correctional facility to prevent escapes or injury to themselves or others.
- Offering input and assisting in implementing new programs for the treatment, training, or rehabilitation of patient-inmates/youths.
- Comprehending and adhering to the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures regarding patient confidentiality, medical records, and the release of patient records.
- Reporting suspected conditions according to mandated reporting requirements pertaining to staff members delivering mental health services, such as child abuse, elder abuse, danger to self or others, Tarasoff reporting, and other confidentiality mandates.
