Social Worker III

   
Job Duties: 

• Complete a comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment of patients being admitted for inpatient psychiatric treatment.  
• Interview the patient assuring that assessment data is as reliable as possible, that the patient is engaged in a supportive and educative manner, that confidentiality is maximized, and that symptoms and behaviors are thoroughly evaluated and handled in a sensitive and safe manner.  
• Contact/ engage parents/ family members, significant others, guardians, and referring agency personnel to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supporting information to enhance the understanding and dynamics of the patient's situation.  
• Complete the Colorado Client Assessment Record (CCAR) and the bio-psychosocial component of the hospital's Integrated Initial Assessment document.  (This includes the development of a clinical formulation which identifies risk-issues, relevant factors in the patient's history and current situation, strengths and potentials, and then interprets and integrates the information to provide direction to the staff regarding treatment interventions, goals and objectives, and the identification of options and recommendations regarding the patient's plan for discharge and aftercare services.)   
• Collaborate with and direction of treatment team staff regarding assessment information to address unique cases and cases that necessitates a reduction of risk issues related to hospital objectives including the use of seclusion and restraint, patient assault, and elopement.
• Social Worker coordinates discharge planning, through evaluation and assessment of patient's needs as they relate to available community resources and exploring and mobilizing those resources. Is the liaison between hospital and community agencies. 
• Identifies and chooses appropriate community placements and treatment programs. 
• Provides case management by making appropriate referrals to community agencies, networking and directing reciprocal relationships with community agencies, Social Security, Social Services, Court system, jails,  DOC, probation, parole, DYC, attorneys, CMHC, CCB,  nursing, boarding, and group homes, individuals and families. 
• Attend meetings with the above mentioned agencies. 
• Participates in the direction and formulation of treatment plans and reviews.  
• Document the plan and any issues related to the plan and revise/modify the plan according to the ongoing reassessment of the patient's progress and continuing need for treatment.
• Assesses patient and family education needs and identifies readiness to learn, motivation, strengths and barriers to the learning process.  
• Provide ongoing psycho/social education that is relevant to individual, social, environmental factors, medical regimen, to enhance mental health growth and stability.  
• Conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using social work theories and concepts relevant to the needs and pathology of patients and their families, considering their age, ethnic, cultural, religious and sexual issues to affect behavioral change and the reduction of symptoms in the patient and the family.  
• Assess and document the effectiveness of specific interventions towards meeting the goals and objectives of treatment.  
• Develop a therapeutic alliance with the patient and family to secure their understanding and participation in the treatment process.  
• Provide information and education to them and/or community providers about mental illness and treatment and/or refer families to relevant resources to enhance their understanding of the patient's ongoing concerns and needs.   
• Participates in orientation, educational workshops, social work discipline meetings, and training to assure and maintain competency in the provision of social work and treatment services.  
• Participates in and clinical and administrative supervision to enhance, ensure, and confirm skills, knowledge, competency, and understanding of assigned cases and team, discipline, and hospital processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
Current, valid licensure as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) from the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners.  *(Certification/Licensure must be attached to application)* 

~AND~
One (1) year of experience as a licensed clinical social worker.

Substitutions:
None.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies: 

• Master's degree, or equivalent, in Social Work (MSW).
• Knowledge of casework methods, techniques, and their applications to work problems.
• Knowledge of the principles of human growth and behavior, basic sociological and psychological treatment and therapy practices.
• Knowledge of interviewing skills and techniques.
• Ability to express ideas effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to use interviewing skills and techniques effectively.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.

Conditions of Employment:

• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges.   
• Current and Valid Colorado Driver's License. 
• Travel to include taking patients to discharge destinations around the state and country.
• Successfully pass a TB (Tuberculosis Test) 
• Evening and/or weekend treatment services may be required.
• Position will be paid biweekly. 

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position.  Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

• Effective September 20, 2021, this position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination within thirty (30) business days of hire. Religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance. If you would like to request a medical or religious exemption, please contact CDHS_HumanResources@state.co.us Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the singledose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other  protected status in accordance with applicable law.

How to Apply (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
 
Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process.  Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all of your relevant experience on the application itself.  Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.
  
Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position.  If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below.  

 
Supplemental Information:

After submitting an application, you should receive an email acknowledging your submission. If you do not get the email, please check to ensure you have actually submitted the application and typed the correct email address on the application.
    
Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time sensitive correspondence WILL take place via email. You may receive email notifications from a Colorado Department of Human Services employee or from this email address info@governmentjobs.com It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email; if you do not receive correspondence soon after the closing date, please contact the "Department Contact" listed in this announcement.

Comparative Analysis Process

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis. The comparative analysis for this position will include a review of your application material and your responses to any supplemental questions. Applications and responses will be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assess and rank applicants in order to establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration.
    
Be sure the "Work Experience" section of your application is complete and specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, and accomplishments as they relate to the Description of the Job, Minimum Qualifications, Required Competencies and Preferred Qualifications as listed above. Resumes and "see resume" statements will not be accepted in lieu of the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the closing date may result in your application not being accepted and/or may affect your score, rank or inclusion in the final pool of eligible applicants.
  
SCHEDULED DATES of INTERVIEWS WILL NOT BE MADE UP.  IF YOU FAIL TO SHOW AT THE APPOINTED DATE/TIME, MAKE-UPS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
    
Note: Transfers, voluntary demotions and reinstatements are required to apply and participate in the selection process.


For Recruiting questions, please contact tara.bangtson@state.co.us 

 
ADAAA Accommodations:

CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.usor call 1-800-929-0791.
  
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support:

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it.

 

Salary : $55,752 - $81,624