Social Services Discharge Planner

South County Mental Health Center, Inc. is a private, non-profit, Joint Commission-accredited behavioral healthcare provider serving Southeast Palm Beach County. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality mental health services to individuals and families in our community.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate client and family needs and initiate Intake/Psychosocial within 3 working days of admission.
• Complete detailed client treatment plan within 1-3 days of a new admission.
• Attend and participate in multi-disciplinary treatment team daily.
• Attend weekly social worker meetings.
• Complete client referrals for housing and other needs; link clients to outpatient programs as needed.
• Develop appropriate discharge plans and recommendations to link clients with appropriate community resources and document same in coordination with assigned catchment area.
• Coordinate with Nursing, Medical and D/C staff on clients care and discharge plans.
• Transport clients when needed for discharge.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and accreditation standards.
• Maintain client records and document all contacts with the client, family or supports and all assessments and other clinical events in progress notes within 48 hours of service.
• Write discharge goals on treatment plan; conduct risk assessments as needed to assess client needs.
• Attend and participate in staff development and in-service training; assist the program supervisor with training of practicum students.
• Data and Behavior Assessment: Review client history, medical records, and interview notes to identify root causes of distress.
• Risk Evaluation: Assess safety concerns, crisis potential, and legal or protective requirements in real-time.
• Resource Matching: Analyze available community programs and government assistance to determine the best fit for a client's specific needs.
• Treatment Planning: Create step-by-step action plans to help clients overcome housing, addiction, or mental health challenges.
• Crisis Intervention: Think quickly under pressure to de-escalate volatile family or individual emergencies.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work with medical professionals, educators, and legal teams to resolve barriers to client well-being.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum one year social services experience working with chronically mentally ill, dually diagnosed or emotionally disturbed adults.
• Knowledge and ability to interpret Baker Act, Confidentiality, Marchman Act, Client Rights and Abuse reporting requirements.
• Advanced organizational and time management skills; ability to prioritize work assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Must abide by a code of ethical and practice standards.
• Effective communication and presentation skills; ability to work with others as part of a team.
• Problem-solving and decision-making capabilities; ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Good clinical skills to assess the needs of the clients; advanced substance abuse and counseling skills.
• Knowledge of DSM-IV and GAFCEN; case management skills.
• Ability to complete all required paperwork accurately and legibly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social services or human services (MSW, LMSW, LCSW, LMHC).
• Two (2) years social services experience working with chronically mentally ill, dually diagnosed or emotionally disturbed adults.

Age Specific Competencies

• Adult: Knowledge of medications/dosages; assess changes in productive status (e.g., economical, physical) as a result of illness; assess and address life stage concerns of clients.
• Geriatric: Medication dosages; assess nutritional needs; assess dependency needs; monitor intake/elimination patterns; assess audio/visual problems.

Working Conditions

Professional healthcare office and clinical environment. Social workers in a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) face acute occupational hazards—principally workplace violence, secondary traumatic stress, and biological exposures—which are regulated under OSHA Guidelines for Healthcare and Social Service Workers and the federal General Duty Clause. Required travel and transport.

Performance Standards

Performance will be evaluated based on:

• Effectiveness of quality improvement initiatives and outcomes.
• Compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Accuracy and timeliness of reporting and audits.
• Collaboration with leadership and department teams.
• Organizational readiness for surveys and inspections.

Schedule

Full-Time Position. Schedule: Monday – Friday (hours may vary based on organizational needs). Location: In-person (Delray Beach, FL).

Pay

• BA/BS: $25/hour
• MA/MS: $27/hour
• MA/MS & Licensed: $30/hour

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off.
• Life and long-term disability coverage.
• Voluntary benefit options.
• 401(k) with employer match.

Background check required. Drug-free workplace.