Requisition No: 802842

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR - 60011003

Position Number: 60011003

Salary: agency to update

Posting Closing Date: 05/23/2023

Actively participates in the treatment process, attending treatment team meetings, and contributing in the development and revision of individuals under treatment with their therapeutic plan. Intreprets critical information about the individual's social history and current social situation to the team. Records community needs of individuals at the meetings, and jointly works with the team in making recommendations for treatment and discharge planning. Completes level of care (LOCUS) Assessments at the following intervals: Baseline, Annual, Semi-Annual and upon Discharge.

Coordinates planned and unplanned discharges from the unit and serves as the point of contact between the community liaison with the catchment area and the unit, arranges an after care plan for unit based discharges, notifies significant others of discharge plans, arranges for transportation when necessary, and completes necessary discharge documentation and discharge notes. Develops and maintains expertise regarding community resources to prepare individuals for discharge. Educates treatment teams regarding available community resources and their relationship to discharge planning.

Conducts individual counseling and group psychotherapy with chronically mentally ill persons, including geriatric individuals. Assesses level of functioning with regard to social and community life skills necessary for discharge to the community.

Documents all social services treatment and unit discharge activities in the clinical record. Completes weekly and monthly progress notes, psychosocial histories, discharge notes for unit based discharges, admission and movement records, and event notes as appropriate. Updates the accuracy of face sheets, including information on changes of addresses and phone numbers, guardians and guardian advocates, 1st representatives, and other significant persons necessary to ensure quality continuity of care.

Interviews/contacts family members of individuals being served to obtain data related to personal, social, and emotional history. Maintains regular contact with family or significant others through treatment team meetings, telephone contacts, and letters in order to provide updates on the individual's condition and current discharge plans.

Counsels with family about sensitive situations involving individuals related to their mental and physical problems.

Coordinates day passes and leave of absences with treatment team, legal department, and the Administrative Review Committee (ARC) as required. Coordinates referrals for prosthetic devices and medical equipment as necessary. Assists with habeas corpus requests and court appearances as necessary.

Will be available to assist other staff with transportation on recreational outings, escort individuals to appointments for prosthetic devices or hospital wide celebrations, and transport individuals to the community for discharge readiness apppointments or actual discharge placement. Performs other related duties as assigned and assists in training new Social Services Counselor

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.