Psychiatric Social Worker I

SUMMARY

The Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is looking for a Psychiatric Social Worker I (PSWI) to join the ODR Court Pre-Release Team. The PSWI is responsible for assisting the court team in supporting the pre-release and court-based work for ODR’s criminal court diversion programs. ODR’s criminal court diversion programs include ODR Housing and Maternal Health. The ODR Housing program is a permanent supportive housing program serving individuals who are homeless, have a serious mental health disorder, and are diverted into services after being incarcerated in the Los Angeles County Jail. Clients in the ODR Housing program are referred to interim housing and assigned an Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) provider, who works with the client as they transition from custody to community and on to permanent supportive housing.

The PSWI performs professional social work services in connection with the assessment and treatment recommendations of clients in need of mental health and housing services. The Psychiatric Social Worker coordinates the mental health, physical health, and housing care of ODR clients in collaboration with a multidisciplinary county team and a contracted intensive case management service (ICMS) providers. The PSWI will assist the court leads at one or more of the ODR criminal court hubs (LAX Courthouse, Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Court Center, and Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys) with the assessment, screening, advocacy and court diversion of clients entering the ODR Housing Program.

Currently, ODR has a hybrid work schedule with a combination of workdays in the office, in the field and remote. This may change at discretion of DHS.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS of the PSWI include, but are not limited to :

• Partner with the ODR Court hub team to assist with all aspects of the pre-release diversion process for the ODR Housing program.
• Assists in housing placement, retention, and maintaining supportive relationships with the homeless and formerly homeless individuals during care provided in the field, at the patient’s home, and via telehealth.
• Assesses and recommends treatment for the complicated psychosocial problems of homeless and formerly homeless individuals including but not limited to mental health / medical condition and / or functional status, untreated or under- treated mental health or substance abuse condition, economic instability, legal problems, and inadequate social supports, housing and transportation.
• Conduct assessments of ODR Clinical client's psychosocial and service needs through interview and evaluation, review of medical and mental health records, and consultation with jail health and mental health care team members.
• Complete bi-annual client care plans and document interventions supporting progress toward collaborative goals.
• Use Behavioral Health Techniques including, but not limited to, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention therapy, psychotherapeutic and / or systems interventions, and trauma-informed care.
• Provide oversight of in-reach agency services, including monitoring service plans and progress with assigned clients, identifying, and troubleshooting service issues, and providing consultation to in-reach case
• Collaborate with and offer mental health training to community-based providers who will work with the population of clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use
• Collaborates with ODR’s Housing team to connect clients housing resources and support providers’ adherence to their contracted scope of work.
• Work with the ODR medical and nursing teams on interviewing persons seeking psychiatric assistance on an emergency basis and utilize crisis intervention techniques to prevent hospitalization and to aid the person in dealing with the emotional crisis.
• Maintain documentation of social work activities including assessments, service plans and progress notes.
• Reviews records and information from both the criminal justice system and the mental health system when making treatment
• Participates in team huddles, case conferences, and multidisciplinary team meetings as needed
• Participates in performance / quality improvement (PI / QI) activities and contributes to policy development as needed
• Shares knowledge and effective practices with other Care Team members

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education / Experience

A Master's Degree in Social Work from a graduate school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Certificates / Licenses / Clearances

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand : Frequently

Walk : Frequently

Sit : Frequently

Handling / Fingerin g : Occasionally

Reach Outward : Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder : Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend : Occasionally

Lift / Carry : Occasionally - 35 lbs

Push / Pull : Occasionally - 35 lbs

See : Constantly

Taste / Smell : Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs / day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs / day)

Constantly = (5+ hrs / day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.