Social Services Associate PRN

Essential Functions

• Provides social service support, education and resources for patients and families, under the supervision/guidance of the Director of Social Services, in accordance with accepted standards in a timely fashion as outlined by Joint Commission, Federal and State Regulations, Oceans' Mission, policies and procedures and PI standards.
• Plans and conducts individual or group psychoeducational sessions, as assigned by the Director of Social Services.
• Gathers information for the completion of Comprehensive Integrated Assessment - (Biopsychosocial Assessment) as assigned by Director of Social Services within 72 hours (or 3 sessions) of admission for review and interpretation by a Licensed Therapist, who will co-sign all Psychosocial Assessments.
• Reviews all Multidisciplinary assessments and provides information for the Multidisciplinary Treatment Integration under the supervision of the Director of Social Services and attending physician within 72 hours of admission.
• Performs case management and discharge planning as assigned by the Director of Social Services.
• Attends treatment team meetings when indicated and reporting on assigned patients and their progress toward treatment goals.
• Surveys and identifies age/disability/cultural needs; Identifies safety, psychosocial, special mobility and special equipment needs; and communicates in an age/disability/culturally sensitive related manner to patients and their families.
• Conducts care of patients and discharge planning in accordance with age/disability/cultural needs and involves members of the patient's support system in decision making as appropriate.

Educational / Experience Requirements

• At a minimum, will hold a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or a related field, and preferably have one year experience in working with the mentally ill population: Adolescent, Adults, and Geriatrics.
• An internship within the chemical dependency field is also acceptable. (Any population which is assigned will be based on a mentorship training system if no experience has been had with that population.)

Qualifications / Skills

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to age-related disability-related needs of the patients served on assignment.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development appropriate to the patient population served.
• Able to assess and interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s needs and provide the appropriate care, including age related care/disability/cultural sensitivity related care to adolescent, chronically mentally ill, adult, geriatric, chemically dependent, and dually diagnosed patient populations.
• Basic knowledge of mental illness and chemical dependency and the family dynamics which accompany them.
• Basic knowledge of chronic mental illness.
• Excellent communication skills related to age specific patient needs.
• Assessment, supportive communication and d/c planning skills.
• Successfully complete BLS certification and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program.

Work Environment

• Subject to many interruptions. Occasional pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be high paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically to atmosphere.
• Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.