Director of Social Services - Mental Health 632

Telecare's mission is to deliver excellent and effective behavioral health services that engage individuals with complex needs in recovering their health, hopes, and dreams.

Telecare continues to advance cultural diversity, humility, equity, and inclusion at all levels of our organization by hiring mental health peers, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and all belief systems.

Telecare MLK Adult Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) is a -bed acute inpatient facility for adults + experiencing a mental health illness related emergency.

Admission is voluntary or involuntary ().

Full Time; AM : am to : pm; Monday - Friday

Expected starting wage range is $, - $, Telecare applies geographic differentials to its pay ranges. The pay range assigned to this role will be based on the geographic location from which the role is performed.

Starting pay is commensurate with relevant experience above the minimum requirements.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Social Services plans, implements and directs the Social Services Department, which provides casework services to members served and their families.

The Director of Social Services also manages a team of social workers and discharge planners. Additional responsibilities include : coordination of the admission and discharge processes and maintaining a liaison with local hospitals and agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Demonstrates the Telecare mission, purpose, values and beliefs in everyday language and contact with internal and external stakeholders
• Plans, organizes, directs, and controls the Social Services Department
• Responsible for the administrative and clinical functioning of the Social Services Department
• Makes use of management practices that include empowerment of staff, the provision of clear and concise expectations regarding duties assigned employees, frequent feedback focusing on both positive and problematic aspects of work performance, and other management practices that are consistent with Continuous Quality Improvement
• Promotes and maintains harmonious and effective relationships and communications within the department and other departments
• Thoroughly understands the legal / conservatorship system and provides inservice training to facility staff as needed
• Coordinates the Utilization Review Committee and assists in the development of associated procedures
• Supervises and coordinates student intern placements within the Social Services Department. Provides leadership and clinical training to the facility staff and interns
• Collaborates with other administrative staff in strategic planning activities with the goal of ensuring ongoing effectiveness of the facility
• Is available to assist at other Telecare facilities, which may involve limited travel
• Establishes on going relationships with local agencies and other resources necessary to affect a continuum of care for members served returning to the community.

In doing so, assists Social Services staff in the assessment of members served readiness for discharge

Establishes staffing requirements and recommends to administration the number and classification of personnel to be employed.

Directs the recruitment, selection and when necessary disciplinary action within the Social Services Department

• Establishes and maintains the job specifications and descriptions for department personnel
• Coordinates and consults with county Mental Health Services and staff of acute and long term in-patient psychiatric hospitals to facilitate admission and discharge of members served
• Evaluates, by telephone and / or in person, prospective members served for admission. Consults with the department managers as necessary regarding the appropriateness of the admission
• Manages the Social Services Department within allocated budgetary parameters and participates in the development of the fiscal budget
• Ensures that the facility is in compliance with all related state, federal and local licensing regulations and requirements
• Establishes and defines standards which ensure safe and therapeutically effective care
• Assesses the quality of care rendered by the Social Services Department and ensures sound practice
• Establishes and maintains a comprehensive Quality Assurance / Quality Improvement program within the Social Services Department which includes frequent collaboration with other departments, employee education and a focus on monitoring departmental standards and actively removing barriers to the provision of high quality care
• Must assist with restraint of members served in the event of assaultive behavior and pass assault crisis / crisis prevention training

Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted and / or changed at the discretion of management.

Position requires transporting Members in own personal vehicle and program van (acceptable driving record and vehicle inspection for safety).

Position requires driving for company business such as trainings, offsite meetings, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required :

• Two () years of direct service experience with persons with mental illness and two () years of supervisory experience with both professional and non professional staff in an inpatient or outpatient setting
• A Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker or MFCC license from the State of California and a valid California driver’s license and insurability
• Must be at least years of age
• Must be CPR, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and First Aid certified on date of employment or within days of employment and maintain current certification throughout employment
• All opportunities at Telecare are contingent upon successful completion and receipt of acceptable results of the applicable post-offer physical examination, -step PPD test for tuberculosis, acceptable criminal background clearances, excluded party sanctions, and degree or license verification.

Position requires driving, valid driver’s license, a motor vehicle clearance, and proof of auto insurance is required at time of employment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Additional regulatory, contractual, or local requirements may apply.

SKILLS

• Demonstrated understanding of psychiatric illness, the ability to identify symptoms and the severity of illness
• Ability to predict with reasonable accuracy a client’s appropriateness and ability to respond to treatment
• Demonstrated ability to develop and write policies and procedures related to the care of persons with serious mental illness

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee is occasionally required to bend, push, pull, squat, climb and lift and carry items weighing pounds or less as well as to frequently sit, stand, walk, reach, twist and do simple and power grasping.

The position requires manual deviation, repetition and dexterity and to occasionally drive.

EOE AA M / F / V / Disability

If job posting references any sign-on bonus internal applicants and applicants employed with Telecare in the previous months would not be eligible.