Psychiatric Social Worker I, (Odr)

If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date, or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation)  

SUMMARY

The Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services is looking for Psychiatric Social Worker to join the ODR Housing Team. The ODR Housing program is a permanent supportive housing program serving individuals who are homeless, have a serious mental health disorder, and are diverted into services after being incarcerated in the Los Angeles County Jail. Clients in the ODR Housing program are referred to an Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) provider, who works with the client as they transition from custody to community and on to permanent supportive housing. The Psychiatrist Social Worker performs professional social work services in connection with the treatment of clients in need of mental health and housing services. Acting as a Lead Care Manager (LCM), the Psychiatric Social Worker coordinates the mental health, physical health, and housing care of ODR clients in collaboration with a multidisciplinary county team and a contracted intensive case management service (ICMS) providers.

Currently, ODR has a hybrid work schedule with a combination of workdays in the office, in the field and remote. This may change at discretion of DHS.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in increasing housing placement, retention, and maintain supportive relationships with the homeless and formerly homeless individuals during care provided in the field, at the patient’s home, and via telehealth.
• Assesses and treats the complicated psychosocial problems of homeless and formerly homeless individuals including but not limited to mental health/medical condition and/or functional status, untreated or under- treated mental health or substance abuse condition, economic instability, legal problems, and inadequate social supports, housing, and transportation.
• Conduct assessments of client's psychosocial and service needs through interview and evaluation, review of medical and mental health records, and consultation with jail health and multidisciplinary ODR clinical team.
• Complete bi-annual client care plans and document interventions supporting progress toward collaborative goals. Meet with clients at minimum monthly, and up to four (4) times per month to render enhanced care management services. Meetings may be a combination of in person visits and telehealth calls.
• Use Behavioral Health Techniques including, but not limited to, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention therapy, psychotherapeutic and/or systems interventions, and trauma-informed care.
• Provide oversight of contracted ICMS (Intensive Case Management) agency services, including monitoring service plans and progress with assigned clients, case conferencing, identifying, and troubleshooting service issues, and providing consultation to ICMS case managers and clinical supervisors.
• Collaborate with and offer mental health training to community-based providers who will work with the population of clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Collaborates with ODR’s Housing team to connect clients to housing resources and support providers’ adherence to their contracted scope of work.
• Work with the ODR Clinical team on interviewing persons seeking psychiatric assistance on an emergency basis and utilize crisis intervention techniques to prevent hospitalization and to aid the person in dealing with the emotional crisis.
• Maintain documentation of social work activities including assessments, service plans and progress notes .
• Reviews records and information from various electronic health record systems to assess client needs and make treatment recommendations
• Liaises with justice partners and probation officers to provide collaborative treatment for ODR’s felony probation program population
• Conducts in-reach to clients incarcerated in LA County jail for the purposes of program engagement, assessment, and treatment planning.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in team huddles, case conferences, and multidisciplinary team meetings as needed
• Participates in performance/quality improvement (PI/QI) activities and contributes to policy development as needed
• Shares knowledge and effective practices with other Care Team members

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Clinical social work in community mental health, homeless services, or healthcare strongly preferred.
• Experience/expertise in assessing and managing clients with dysfunctional SUD preferred.
• Experience/expertise in assessing and managing clients with severe persistent mental illness preferred.
• Experience/expertise in trauma-informed care and harm reduction principles preferred.
• Familiarity with DMH, DPH and community mental health, substance use, housing/homelessness programs and resources.

 Education/Experience

A Master's Degree in Social Work from a graduate school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and at least two years of relevant experience
Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• Registered as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. *Supervision of clinical hours toward licensure available.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Successful clearing through the Live Scan process with the County of Los Angeles

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand: Frequently

Walk: Frequently

Sit: Frequently

Handling / Fingering: Occasionally

Reach Outward: Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally

Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

See: Constantly

Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled