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Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• This a professional social services position in Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, with the Crisis Intervention Unit. 
• Employees in this position work with individuals who are in crisis and help to determine their needs, provide short term intervention, and help link them with appropriate services in the community by responding to phone calls. 
• Often the person answering the phone will handle the case from beginning to end. 
• At times a worker may pick up the case half way through to relieve the original worker. 
• An important aspect of this work is the employment of casework skills in obtaining essential information, guiding consumers and members of their families, and helping them to utilize all available resources. 
• Work also involves the application of problem solving techniques, providing crisis counseling to consumers.
• Work is performed in accordance with established regulations, polices, and procedures, but employees are expected to exercise initiative and judgment in discharging their duties. 
• Work is reviewed by a professional social service or administrative supervisor through regularly scheduled indivdual and group conferences, and the review of records and reports.   

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position reports to the Casework Supervisor. 
• Cases are reviewed daily by all crisis staff. 
• The purpose is to review content and disposition to determine whether follow up should occur. 
• Staff will regularly review cases with each other to ensure compliance and ensure they have not missed relevant information that can be used in determining a disposition. 
• Supervisors review information daily to ensure that proper policy and procedure are being followed. 
• This allows the supervisor to review for further recommendation or to validate the work that was done.  
• All completed assessments are reviewed by the supervisor for content and accuracy.  Thus, dialogue is important to ensure a clear and thorough understanding of the case. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Work with individuals who are in crisis and help determine their needs, provide short term intervention, and help link them with appropriate services in the community.
• Exercise considerable independent judgment and decision making.
• Is responsible for responding to incoming call to the crisis office.
• Responds to emergencies that occur within Lancaster County.
• Works various shifts.  As crisis is a 24 hour program staff must be able to quickly make arrangements for shift coverage in the event a co-worker might call off, leaving them without relief.  Staff is also required to work holidays, which currently are 12 hour shifts.  A full time staff person is required to work a minimum of 3-5 holidays per year.  The amount of shifts worked varies depending on the number of staff employed and holiday hours worked the previous year. 
• Conducts crisis counseling by telephone or by mobile face-to-face contact with consumers.
• Assesses needs, refers consumers as needed to other services.
• Develops appropriate short-term services as PRN.
• Work with family members and significant others to implement short term crisis intervention strategies. 
• Facilitates voluntary and involuntary hospitalization as necessary and according to the MHPA of 1976. 
• Conducts outreaches to hospitals, police departments or in the community within the jurisdiction of Lancaster County. 
• Advocates on behalf of consumers.
• Continually updates knowledge of both formal and informal resources offered in the community to better serve the consumer.
• Develops, updates and maintains accurate consumer records
• Assists other staff as necessary during emergency situations with consumers.
• Participates in staff meetings/training sessions when possible.
• Routinely provides own transportation to and from consumers homes, meetings , outreach visits, and other job related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee; or,
• Successful completion of the County Social Casework Intern (BHDS or CYA) program; or,
• A bachelor's degree with a social welfare major; or,
• A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, human services or other related social sciences and one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency; or,
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, human services, or other related social sciences.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Has basic computer skills to use systems presently used by the county and other computer applications.  Staff is trained on the basics they will need to complete their daily duties.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health Procedures Act
• Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources and the recognition of their impact on the growth and development of people.
• Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional, or health problems.
• Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.
• Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as they relate to agency function and purpose and societal structures.
• Ability to work effectively with people and aid them to grow in the constructive use of their potential in adjusting to their specific problems.
• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with adults and children who are physically challenged, emotionally troubled, or economically disadvantaged.
• Ability to conduct individual and family interviews and to use them to identify individual and family problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, other staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the general public.
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.
• Ability to adequately express ideas orally and in writing.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

• Must pass pre-employment drug screening test.
• Must have acceptable background check that includes FBI Clearance, PA State Police criminal history and ChildLine clearances. Clearances are required prior to the start of employment and may not be more than one year old at time of employment.
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history in accordance with County policy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Must be able to work in a busy and open environment.
• Must be able to routinely provide own transportation to and from consumer's homes, meetings, outreach visits and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.
• This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B.  Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B are provided.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.