SOCIAL REHABILITATION THERAPIST, PENAL INSTITUTION

Code: 04967 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, interviews, evaluates, and provides counseling to inmates to implement a therapeutic and social rehabilitation program to assist them in their release and to further their adjustment process into society; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Interviews inmates to gather necessary information, complete required forms, ascertain reason for their confinement, and identify problem areas.
• Administers, scores, and interprets results of psychological, vocational, and aptitude tests.
• Correlates test results with other findings to prepare a therapeutic and social rehabilitation program for jail inmates.
• Provides screening of inmates to identify problem areas and provide suitable care.
• Prepares individual and group oriented programs for the jail population and recently released inmates.
• Conducts group therapy sessions with inmates and released individuals to assist with the rehabilitative process.
• Provides individual counseling on a regular basis for inmates and as needed for those released to provide guidance on specific problems areas and on alternatives available for their solution.
• Provides counseling on rehabilitation, vocational, drug and alcohol abuse, emotional, and personal problems to inmates and family members.
• Documents progress of individual on each contact, and maintains updated case records for each inmate.
• Prepares correspondence, memos, and reports containing evaluations, treatment, and rehabilitation plans, progress, and recommendations.
• Maintains liaison with other agencies and professionals in the field to assist in coordination of rehabilitation efforts.
• Consults with jail staff with regard to the managing of disruptive and potentially disruptive inmates.
• May assist inmates in identifying problem areas, provides guidance to solve existing problems satisfactorily, and assists them in adjusting to outside environment on release.
• Refers inmates to other agencies, services, and for psychiatric evaluation and treatment as needed.
• May assist inmates in developing a better sense of duty and responsibility towards society.
• Interprets activities and purpose of the unit to the public in general, and gives talks to agencies and groups interested in the problems of crime, delinquency, and it's prevention.
• May assist inmates with educational, vocational, and employment alternatives, and provides referral service to further their interest.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of psychological and social problems of those confined to penal institutions and the alternatives available to approach them.
• Knowledge of social, economic, and psychological and social problems of those confined to penal institutions and the alternatives available to approach them.
• Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of problems involved in dealing constructively with personality disorders, social behavior, and social relationships.
• Knowledge of problems and practices involved in administering, scoring, and analyzing varied types of tests.
• Knowledge of the interpreting of test results.
• Ability to utilize counseling, guidance, therapeutic, and testing techniques.
• Ability to understand vocational and individual limitations of persons.
• Ability to administer, score, and interpret psychological and other tests, and diagnose specific problems from test results.
• Ability to analyze laws, rules, and regulations and procedures, and apply them with reasonable consistency to individual cases.
• Ability to conduct individual and group therapeutic sessions effectively.
• Ability to interview and deal with persons who may be emotionally upset and antagonistic.
• Ability to collect and make appraisal of factual information from a variety of situations, identify essential and significant facts of these situations, weigh and evaluate such facts, and take appropriate action.
• Ability to prepare individual and group oriented programs of treatment and rehabilitation.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.